Matthew Chapter 5
Christ Jesus’ teachings on the Mount are a collection of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to the kingdom of God. He taught us about our motives, our attitudes, and our actions; and how it will affect us now and into the future. We need to open our heart and listen intently to the teachings of Christ. Blessed are those who allow themselves to be readjusted in the love of God and the wisdom of Christ.
Proclamation of Happiness
Matthew 5:1-12… When he saw the crowds he went up into the mountain; and after he sat down and his disciples came to him; 2 he opened his mouth and began teaching them, saying:
3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual needs (poor, in want or in need of spirit) since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 4 “Happy are those who mourn since they will be comforted. 5 “Happy are the mild-tempered ones since they will inherit the earth. 6 “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness since they will be filled. 7 “Happy are the merciful since they will be shown mercy. 8 “Happy are the pure in heart since they will see God. 9 “Happy are the peaceable since they will be called ‘sons of God. 10 “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 11 “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU.
Are You Conscious of God’s Righteousness?
Some of the first things that Jesus began teaching about were the qualities that a person needed to have in order to become a citizen in God’s kingdom. He spoke of those who mourn, those who are meek, the pure of heart, and the peacemakers. We look around today and we see those who are lovers of violence, unloving, uncaring, people who are mean, people who love wickedness and selfish endeavors. Can you see the detestable things that are going on around us in the world? If you can, and these things affect your heart and make you sick, you are more likely a spiritual person and not a person who seeks after the fleshly desires of mankind.
If you are a spiritual person then you are well on your way to becoming a citizen of God’s Kingdom. Though we may suffer momentarily, we shall rejoice forever. We shall inherit the earth the Lord has said, we shall be shown mercy. For the appointed time will come and we will stand and be collected together, and we will be pronounced the sons of the living God. Romans 8:19
We should seek God’s righteousness and not our own, for God’s ways are right and true. For this wicked world hates us and they tell lies about us because of their jealousy. We shall continue to uphold God’s Sovereignty and the choice that he has made for his King in his Kingdom. It is Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has been blessed with the inheritance. So, stand ready to receive your reward and crown for your participation. 2 Timothy 4:8
In the Strength of God
Matthew 5:13-16… “YOU are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, how will its saltness be restored? It is no longer usable for anything but to be thrown outside to be trampled on by men. 14 “YOU are the light of the world. A city cannot be hidden when situated upon a mountain. 15 People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. 16 Likewise let YOUR light shine before men, that they may see YOUR fine works and give glory to YOUR Father who is in the heavens.
Become a Blessing to Others!
Salt was used as a preservative. It was used to cure meat at the time our Lord walked the earth. It was also used to enhance the taste of food. Salt was a valuable staple in the economies of the ancient world. People needed it to sustain their lives.
Christ also called on his disciples to become the light of the world. So, Christ was telling his disciples that they needed to be a blessing to mankind, were to be something that people needed and wanted in their lives. The Disciples of Christ would have a preserving and enlightening affect upon the lives of those they came across. They would become a living example of the things that Jesus taught them to do. To be loving, kind, considerate, and generous. This in turn will bring glory to our Father in heaven.
The Basic Building Blocks
Matthew 5:17-20… “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill; 18 for truly I say to YOU that sooner would heaven and earth pass away than for one smallest letter or one particle of a letter to pass away from the Law by any means and not all things take place. 19 Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these least commandments and teaches mankind to that effect, he will be called ‘least’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. As for anyone who does them and teaches them, this one will be called ‘great’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. 20 For I say to YOU that if YOUR righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, YOU will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
The Principle Behind the Law
A world without law is a world that is full of chaos. The law was a way for God to separate his people from the nations; it was to be a protective fence. The law was to define what was acceptable and not acceptable to God. It was to be the framework that the nation of Israel could live by and under. The law was the tutor to help the nation of Israel grasp the idea of Godly principles. So, the law would be something you would teach to the younger children and as the children get older and their understanding deepens, they could grasp the idea of principles. Christ Jesus gave the example of the principle behind the 10 Commandments. First to be loving God with your whole soul, mind, and power; and the second, is to love your neighbor as yourself.
Judgments in Your Attitudes
Matthew 5:21-26… “YOU heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not murder; but whoever commits a murder will be accountable to the court of justice.’ 22 However, I say to YOU that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna. 23 “If then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift. 25 “Be about settling matters quickly with the one complaining against you at law, while you are with him on the way there, that somehow the complainant may not turn you over to the judge, and the judge to the court attendant, and you get thrown into prison. 26 I say to you for a fact, You will certainly not come out from there until you have paid over the last coin of very little value.
Justice the Judgment and the Pursuing of Peace
It is easy for us to judge the effect of wrongdoing, like murder, but what is the underlying motive of the person who acted? Christ was helping us to appreciate that the emotion of anger can lead us into an action that brings about an adverse judgment. That we are judged by our own words we speak. Verbally expressing our perception or assessment on the situation can bring us into judgment. When our words become a spoken judgment against another, we are condemned to death by God. We need to be concerned about our actions. We need to control our emotions and not engage our mouth with words we are going to regret. Proverbs 18:13, Ecclesiastes 7:9
We especially need to shut down the tenancy to express our judgments aloud. There is a significant difference between our perception or assessment and our judgment of another person. This is the point that Christ was making. Our words are more powerful than we realize. When Christ said “tell this mountain to move from one place to another and it shall happen” this should give us a clue of how powerful our words can be worked with faith. Matthew 17:20
Our anger can lead us to a crossroad where we may turn to the left a become the judge, the jury, and the executioner for what we imagine we are doing in the name of righteousness. Or we may make a right hand turn which leads us to present our grievance before the one who has made us angry and settle the matter peacefully. We are to pursue peace and do not be judging one another, because our perspective gives us limited visibility, it distorts our perceived insight. If we have judged wrongly in our assessment of the matter, then there will be a penalty to be paid for our selfish motive. That is right, thinking of ourselves only and not thinking about everything or everyone involved in the matter is selfish. We may in fact injure ourselves more in the long run if we do not pursue the peace with our fellow man. The teachings of Christ are meant to help us understand more than we can perceive. The teachings of Christ will help unify us, and to conform us to God’s righteousness. James 1:19-20
The Seed of Motivation
Matthew 5:27-32… “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to YOU that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If now, that right eye of yours is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial to you for one of your members to be lost to you than for your whole body to be pitched into Gehenna. 30 Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial to you for one of your members to be lost than for your whole body to land in Gehenna. 31 “Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
From Seed to Swearing
For the plant of wickedness to grow, it first has to be planted as a seed in our minds. So, Christ teaches us to be careful of what gets planted as ideas into our mind. We need to identify what is inappropriate or unhealthy for us. That way we can uproot anything that will cause us to miss out on everlasting life. Selfishness is detrimental to our long-term health and everlasting life. Christ points out that fornication is the only grounds for a divorce, and that our vow of marriage before God is serious.
Christ next establishes the next principal that will guide us in our life. That we should simply become a doer of our word. What we promise or swear to we should fulfill it.
Matthew 5:33-37… “Again YOU heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ 34 However, I say to YOU: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 nor by earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor by your head must you swear, because you cannot turn one hair white or black. 37 Just let YOUR word Yes mean Yes, YOUR No, No; for what is in an excess of these is from the wicked one.
When we make excuses for not fulfilling our word this makes us an untrustworthy person. God hates a person who will not fulfill their word, by breaking their promises. This simply makes you a liar in the long run whether we understand that are not, it’s true and you should know that liars will not inherit God’s kingdom. Timothy 1:8-10 and Revelation 21:8
The Eye of God is Perfect
Matthew 5:38-42… “YOU heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39 However, I say to YOU: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him. 40 And if a person wants to go to court with you and get possession of your inner garment, let your outer garment also go to him; 41 and if someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one that wants to borrow from you [without interest].
Vengeance is Mine Says the Lord!
Vengeance belongs to God and so does the judgment. Christ again tries to give us the proper understanding and attitude that should govern our lives, that of being loving and not vengeful, God himself will pay back to each one according to their deeds.
Become Perfect!
Matthew 5:43-48… “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nation’s doing the same thing? 48 YOU must accordingly be perfect, as YOUR heavenly Father is perfect.
Be Loving
God wants us to be different in our thoughts and our actions. So, Christ has been sent forth to teach us to be perfect; not just in the way we love one another but how we treat all with love.
Reviewing What We learned
Matthew 5:3-12: Did we get the sense of what Jesus was teaching about being peaceable and pursuing righteousness? When we pursue God’s righteousness, it pays off overall by allowing us to become citizens of God’s kingdom. When we are peaceable, we are in the mindset to become agreeable. Are heart is not just set on pursuing our own selfishness. With our heart and mind we seek peace for those around us. We consider their point of view, and their feelings. As a peacemaker we produce the best solution for all parties considered.
Matthew 5:13-16: How are we a blessing to others? We become living examples of the blessing God bestows upon those who seek his ways and apply his commandments in their lives. People can see godly works and the happiness that we sustain in our life. We preserve the love of God in these things, it has an enlightening affect upon those around us and it draws people to serve God and give him glory.
Matthew 5:17-20: What was Jesus saying with regard to the purpose of the law? God’s Law is the basic building block in our learning. The Law helped people by stopping them from harming themselves in the long term. It acted like a fence separating them from the nations around them.
Matthew 5:21-26: Christ warned us that if we do not control our anger this can lead us into judging a matter before it’s time. If we harbor bad or ill feelings in our heart this to is equivalent to murder. We are to seek peace and pursue it.
Matthew 5:27-37: Sin comes from your heart and giving your word is important. Just follow up on your word when you give it. Adultery is the only way God allows for divorcing and if you marry a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:38-42: Vengeance belongs to God and so does all judgments.
Matthew 5:43-48: Being loving in all that we say and do will lead us to becoming perfect.
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