Matthew 5:1-12:Jesus, Our Greater Moses

Introduction:

Jesus is speaking to his disciples (and the large crowds) regarding what it means to follow him (Simon/Peter, Andrew, James, and John {Matthew 4:18-22})

What do we do with this sermon? Are these commands for us? Were they just for those under the Old Covenant?

We will find our answer in Jesus’ identity.

He is our greater Moses (vs. 1-3)

This sermon is the first of five discourses in Matthew’s gospel. This connects Jesus’ teaching to the five books of Moses. (5-7, 10, 13,18, 24-25)

Like Moses, Jesus “went up on the mountain (these words) are used three times in the Greek OT (Ex 19:3; 24:18; 34:32), and all three fall in the section describing Moses’ ascent of Mount Sinai”

Charles L. Quarles, “Matthew,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Jeremy Royal Howard (Broadman & Holman, 2015), 1011–1012.

The only time the adjective “Blessed” (Gk makarios) was used by Moses was in his blessing on Israel (Deut 33:29).In the Beatitudes, the new Moses pronounces spiritual salvation (exodus from slavery to sin) and promises spiritual victory (conquest and inheritance of a new promised land) to the new Israel

Ibid, 1012.

We have also already seen how Herod’s attempted murder corresponded to Pharaoh’s attempt to murder Moses and the Jewish boys in Egypt.

We will also see how Jesus is going to be able provide the promised land that Moses could not enter.

He is our fulfillment (5:20;48, 7:29)

The Decalogue that was given to Moses was impossible for Israel to keep.

The words of our new Moses, Jesus, are likewise impossible to keep.

This is why we need Jesus to accomplish what we could not do!

He is our example

Like the Decalogue, we cannot keep them but God gives the regenerate heart the ability to submit to his law!

The Beatitudes give us a positive command.

They also give us a negative warning.

I have seen too many people in the church come and have no desire to change their actions, their desires, or anything.