Sermon on the Mount Lesson 3

This is understood when we take the second beatitude as a companion to the first. The one who is poor in spirit cannot help but be overcome as they realize what their sin has done.

Where the world seeks to rejoice in sinfulness and vain religion seeks to excuse one in their sin the kingdom citizen is fully aware of the heavy price of sin and grieves over this desperate reality.

With this in mind we understand that the sorrow of the passage is not the sorrow over earthly things, but sorrow over the loss of self-respect, righteousness and innocence that accompanies sin.

- Jesus wept over the wickedness of men and the consequences of their sins

- The Psalmist “shed streams of tears because men do not keep thy law”

- The prophet speaks fo those who “sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst”

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 2. Those Who Mourn (4)

This is the second stage of spiritual blessing. It is one thing to be spiritually poor and acknowledge it; it is another to grieve and to mourn over it. Or, in more theological language, confession is one thing, contrition is another.

These shall be comforted.

This simple statement is filled with meaning and hope.

In the kingdom that Christ would establish, there is comfort for those who mourn over sinfulness.

First, it is within this kingdom that redemption can be found. (Eph. 1:22-26)

makes this clear. Our sin has brought us death, but through His Son and in His body/kingdom we can experience the grace of God that makes us alive again.

We must take care not to allow this blessing to lessen the severity of sin in our eyes, instead we should see just what is needful to redeem us from this death.

Second, sin has no place within this kingdom.

Consider a man like Ezra who was found “praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God” because of the wicked state of God’s covenant people. The people themselves “wept bitterly” because they had “been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women fro the peoples of the land.”

Those in the kingdom are to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

- Here we see the character of those that enter the body/kingdom of Christ

The citizen is “holy and blameless,” “adopted,” “redeemed” and “forgiven.”

- One cannot simultaneously abide in Him and commit lawlessness.

Blessed are the gentle

Gentle - not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentle, humble, considerate, meek (BDAG)

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. πραΰς

pert. to not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentle, humble, considerate, meek in the older favorable sense

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 5

As a human attribute, Aristotle defines it as the mean between stubborn anger and that. negativeness of character which is incapable of even righteous indignation: according to which it is tantamount to equanimity. Plato opposes it to fierceness or cruelty, and uses it of humanity to the condemned; but also of the conciliatory demeanor of a demagogue seeking popularity and power. Pindar applies it to a king, mild or kind to the citizens, and Herodotus uses it as opposed to anger.

These pre-Christian meanings of the word exhibit two general characteristics. 1. They express outward conduct merely. 2. They contemplate relations to men only. The Christian word, on the contrary, describes an inward quality, and that as related primarily to God. The equanimity, mildness, kindness, represented by the classical word, are founded in self-control or in natural disposition. The Christian meekness is based on humility, which is not a natural quality but an outgrowth of a renewed nature. To the pagan the word often implied condescension, to the Christian it implies submission. The Christian quality in its manifestation, reveals all that was best in the heathen virtue—mildness, gentleness, equanimity—but these manifestations toward men are emphasized as outgrowths of a spiritual relation to God.

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 3. The Meek (5)

‘Meekness is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct with respect to others … The man who is truly meek is the one who is truly amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do.’ This makes him gentle, humble, sensitive, patient in all his dealings with others

We might notice that this injunction to meekness is found between mourning over sin and seeking righteousness.

If I keep my own tendency toward short-comings ever before my mind, how much more likely am I to pursue righteousness?

Likewise, if I have a deep concern for maintaining my fellowship with God, how much more likely am I to respond to others with humility?

If my concerns are focussed on the spiritual realities, I can accept “momentary light affliction” ().

Consider as the Psalmist calls for this very mindset when it seems the wicked are prospering and the righteous are suffering. Rather than desiring their demise, the Psalmist directs us to “delight yourself in the Lord and he will give your the desires of your heart.”

1. What does gentle mean, what should we focus on to maintain this disposition?

They will inherit the earth

The counter-cultural aspect of this beatitude is seen as the gentle, not the warlike or the bully inherits the earth.

That there is a figurative element to this is obvious, the earth and everything in it will be burned up.

However, if we allow to be our guide we can see that what is promised to the meek is the very desire of kingdom citizen’s heart - the blessings of God.

The term translated “earth” here is translated “land” some 188 times in the New Testament.

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1093 γῆ

γῆ [ge /ghay/] n f. Contracted from a root word; TDNT 1:677; TDNTA 116; GK 1178; 252 occurrences; AV translates as “earth” 188 times, “land” 42 times, “ground” 18 times, “country” twice, “world” once, and “earthly + 1537 + 3588” once. 1 arable land. 2 the ground, the earth as a standing place. 3 the main land as opposed to the sea or water. 4 the earth as a whole. 4A the earth as opposed to the heavens. 4B the inhabited earth, the abode of men and animals. 5 a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region.

- It is this very attitude that Paul expresses when he speaks of “having nothing yet possessing all things.”

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 3. The Meek (5)

‘Self-renunciation is the way to world-dominion.

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 3. The Meek (5)

As Rudolf Stier put it, ‘Self-renunciation is the way to world-dominion.’5

2. What does it mean that the meek shall inherit the earth?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

Hunger - to feel the pangs of lack of food…to desire something strongly - BDAG

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. πεινάω

to feel the pangs of lack of food, hunger, be hungry

Thirst - to suffer thirst…those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, support, strengthened

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1372 διψάω

to suffer thirst, suffer from thirst. 1A figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened

Biblically righteousness can be described in three senses. 1) legal righteousness, 2) moral righteousness, 3) social righteousness

Legal righteousness describes the justified state in which a man stands forgiven before God. Certainly the citizen of God’s kingdom should consider this a precious as food and drink and long for it whenever it is absent.

Moral righteousness describes conduct and character which pleases God, i.e. right doing. Again, it is only logical that one who desires to be a citizen in the kingdom of heaven would take pains to observe the laws and conditions of citizenship.

Social righteousness describes seeking the liberation of others from the burden of sin. It was this aspect that seemed particularly lacking in Jesus’s day. The Scribes and Pharisees were quick to label one a sinner and slow to offer any sort of aid or hope of redemption.

Luther spoke to this by saying:

‘The command to you is not to crawl into a corner or into the desert, but to run out, if that is where you have been, and to offer your hands and your feet and your whole body, and to wager everything you have and can do.’ What is required, he goes on, is ‘a hunger and thirst for righteousness that can never be curbed or stopped or sated, one that looks for nothing and cares for nothing except the accomplishment and maintenance of the right, despising everything that hinders this end. If you cannot make the world completely pious, then do what you can.’

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 4. Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (6)

3. What is the figure “hunger and thirst” intended to convey?

They will be filled

Again the blessing is a powerful statement that goes against the grain of what so many seem to think

“Filled”, or “satisfied,” suggests the idea of having more than one actually needs. It is used of to describe the 5,000 Jesus fed in , as well as the gorging of the birds of prey in .

What we see here is that:

We can be righteous. God has provided a way for us stand before Him justified and forgiven.

We can act righteously. God has not given us a burden too great to bear.

We can influence others to righteousness. There are those with a good and honest heart who will respond to the Gospel.

4. In what way will those who hunger and thirst for righteousness be filled? Is this a gift or a responsibility?

Blessed are the merciful

Merciful - being concerned about people in their need

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1656 ἔλεος

1 mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. 1A of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one’s self merciful. 1B of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ. 1C the mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life.

being concerned about people in their need

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 5. The Merciful (7)

‘Mercy’ is compassion for people in need. Richard Lenski helpfully distinguishes it from ‘grace’: ‘The noun eleos (mercy) … always deals with what we see of pain, misery and distress, these results of sin; and charis (grace) always deals with the sin and guilt itself. The one extends relief, the other pardon; the one cures, heals, helps, the other cleanses and reinstates.’

Being merciful toward people

Each of the previous beatitudes would certainly benefit our relations with other people (ex. the humility that leads to poverty of spirit would certainly make our relationships deeper).

However,

It is essential that we do not abandon the context and miss the point being made. The sermon is about the kingdom of heaven. What is being described is the character necessary to be accepted in this spiritual kingdom.

With this in mind we must frame our concern first in a spiritual context. We should have a concern for the souls of others first and foremost. Compassion over physical difficulties with no concern for the spiritual is not mercy.

- This is the example we see in Jesus. He healed their diseases, but He did so as they came to hear the gospel of the kingdom. His concern was for their souls. (c.f. , )

Our God is a merciful God and He expects the citizens of his kingdom to demonstrate the same sort of compassion.

The world would have us do the opposite. Rather than compassion and help, the world suggests that we take advantage, that see others loss as our gain and strategically place ourselves in a position to profit from others demise.

5. What is mercy and how does it differ from grace?

They shall receive mercy

Undoubtedly the kingdom citizen sees this mercy every day as they stand justified before their God.

The blessing of mercy promised in verse 7 answers the question of whether these blessings are all intended to be experienced in the future or if they are available to the kingdom citizen here and now.

The verbs used throughout the beatitudes are a mixture of present and future tense. The blessings are ours once we develop the attitudes and behaviors of the citizen and they continue on through eternity as we dwell with God.

6. When does the kingdom citizen receive mercy?

Blessed are the pure in heart

Pure - to being clean or free of adulterating matter, clean, pure… (BDAG)

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament καθαρός

ethically; free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt: Tit. 1:15

to being clean or free of adulterating matter, clean, pure,

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament καθαρός

ethically; free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt: Tit. 1:15

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 6. The Pure in Heart (8)

‘the single-minded, who are free from the tyranny of a divided self’. In this case the pure heart is the single heart and prepares the way for the ‘single eye’ which Jesus mentions in the next chapter.

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 6. The Pure in Heart (8)

Professor Tasker defines the pure in heart as ‘the single-minded, who are free from the tyranny of a divided self’.3 In this case the pure heart is the single heart and prepares the way for the ‘single eye’ which Jesus mentions in the next chapter.

Again, we see a concept drawn from the Old Testament.

- To be in the Lord’s presence one must have “clean hands and a pure heart” (c.f. )

The pure of heart is one who “does not lift up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.” (Psam 23:4)

Does not lift up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.

It describes the singleness of mind that drives one to turn wholly to God, similar to the single eye of chapter 6

, - This principle led David to beg God to “create in him a clean heart”

- The gospel is capable of providing this pure heart (cf. )

The lack of such purity was the point of contention between Jesus and the Pharisees.

- He saw that their religion did not penetrate beyond the outward ceremony and so condemned them despite their extreme efforts toward legal righteousness.

7. What is meant by pure of heart? How does this differ from being merely religious?

They shall see God

We find an apt description of purity of heart in as Paul puts all but Christ on the rubbish heap and turns fully away from it.

The purpose in this he states is to “know Him”

Undoubtedly Paul saw this in both a present sense and future expectation.

He sought to “be conformed to His death,” i.e. to live the type of sacrificial life that allowed Christ to serve others through the giving of His life.

He also sought to “attain to the resurrection from the dead”

Jesus states clearly that it is the pure of heart, the one who pursues God with single minded abandon that has any opportunity to “know Him.”

8. Why would seeing God be the blessing attached to purity of heart?

Blessed are the peacemakers

Peacemaker - to endeavor to reconcile persons who have disagreements, making peace (BDAG)

t. to endeavor to reconcile pers. who have disagreements, making peace

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. εἰρηνοποιός

pert. to endeavor to reconcile pers. who have disagreements, making peace;

The kingdom citizen is one who has found peace.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. εἰρηνοποιός

εἰρηνοποιός, όν (X., Hell. 6, 3, 4; Cornutus 16 p. 23, 2; Cass. Dio 44, 49, 2; 73, 15, 5 εἰρ. τ. οἰκουμένης; Plut., Mor. 279b; Pollux 152; PSI 1036, 28 [192 A.D.]; Philo, Spec. Leg. 2, 192; Cat. Cod. Astr. IX/2 p. 171, 19 w. ἥμερος)

pert. to endeavor to reconcile pers. who have disagreements, making peace;

- Peace with God is found only through faith in Christ Jesus as we seek Him in obedient faith.

- By establishing and empowering this gospel, Jesus has provided the means by which we can have peace not only with God, but also with our fellow man.

The ultimate key to peace is the gospel.

What God seeks in His citizens are those that actively pursue peace with Him and willingly lead others to the peace provided through the gospel.

The world seeks peace through politics, treaties and laws intended to bring men together.

These are effective only so far as both the political maneuver and those involved reflect the principles of God’s word.

9. How can we become peace makers?

They shall be called sons of God

In both Jewish and Roman thinking the gods favored the bold, the warrior, the victorious. Peace was the result of success in battle.

The notion that God favors the one who pursues peace through meekness, gentleness and the integrity born of purity of heart is a foreign concept to the world in which we live.

It is just this sort of counter-cultural reality that Jesus expresses in this beatitude. ()

Blessed are the persecuted

Persecuted - to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective, hasten, run, press on (BDAG)

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. διώκω

to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective, hasten, run, press on (Il. 23, 344; Aeschyl., Sept. 91; X., An. 6, 5, 25; Hg 1:9; Is 13:14; Philo, Virt. 30 διώκουσι καὶ ἐπιτρέχουσιν) κατὰ σκοπόν toward the goal Phil 3:14;

• cp. vs. 12 (on the combination w. καταλαμβάνω cp. Hdt. 9, 58, 4; Lucian, Herm. 77; Sir 11:10; La 1:3 v.l.).

② to harass someone, esp. because of beliefs, persecute (OGI 532, 25) τινά someone (1 Macc 5:22; En 99:14; Jos., Ant. 12, 272; apolog.) Mt 5:11f, 44; 10:23; Lk 11:49; 21:12; J 5:16; 15:20; Ac 7:52; 9:4f; 22:4, 7f; 26:11, 14f; Ro 12:14; 1 Cor 4:12; 15:9; Gal 1:13, 23; 4:29; Phil 3:6; Rv 12:13;

Persecution is the inevitable result of two clashing value systems.

to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective, hasten, run, press on

This final beatitude deals with the current reality of the kingdom citizen — we are still in this world.

The world does not like that which shines light on its weakness and wickedness -

Persecution of this sort is not aimed at the one receiving the trial, rather “they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me” ().

We should emphasize that Jesus is speaking of “persecution for righteousness sake” not persecution brought on by poor arguments, overly conservative opinions, or thoughtless speech.

Righteousness must not be abandoned in the face of persecution, but wisdom and discernment may provide a righteous path to avoiding persecution.

When persecution does come the true kingdom citizen must see past the difficulty of the moment to the reward that awaits and take advantage of the opportunity presented to draw nearer to God (; ).

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount 8. Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake (10–12)

Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer. In fact, it is a joy and a token of his grace.

10. Why does serving God lead to persecution so often?

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Those who possess the characteristics Jesus is describing here want nothing more than to experience life in the kingdom of God.

Persecution for righteousness sake is an indicator of our citizenship in that kingdom.

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