The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5, 6, 7
The beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
Jesus teaches the multitude (1-2)
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed be: (3-12)
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The poor in spirit are the opposite of the proud and haughty in spirit. They have been humbled by the grace of God and have acknowledged their sin and therefore their dependence on God to save them. They will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Those who mourn for sin will be comforted in confession. Those who mourn for the human anguish of the lost shall be comforted by the compassion of God.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The meek refers again to those who have been humbled before God and will not only inherit the blessedness of heaven, but also will ultimately share in the kingdom of god on earth. Here is the balance between the physical and spiritual promise of the kingdom. The kingdom of which Jesus preached is both “in you” and is yet “to come.”
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
They experience a deep desire for personal righteousness, which in itself is proof of their spiritual rebirth. They shall be filled refers to a complete satisfaction.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The merciful are those who have been born again by the mercy of God. Because divine love has been extended to them, they have the work of the Holy Spirit in them producing a mercy that defies explanation by unregenerate men.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
The pure in heart lives have been transformed by the grace of God. They are not yet sinless but their position before God has been changed. They have the New Birth, saving faith, and holiness. Those who are truly saved shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
The peacemakers are at peace with God and desire to live in peace with all men. Their peace with Christ enables them to be ambassadors of God’s message to a troubled world. Hence, they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
As Jesus develops His message, He clearly teaches that such a life causes His people to be in direct contrast to the world in which they live. Therefore He reminds us, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake. The plural use of “ye” in verse 11 indicates that He foresaw this persecution as touching all of His followers.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Again, Jesus warns that men shall revile you, and persecute you. This became true during His own ministry, in the lives of the apostles, and throughout the history of the church. The persecution spoken of here is twofold. First, it involves a physical pursuing of the persecuted, and second, a personal attack of slander against them.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Rejoice is the command that grows out of the blessedness of the believer.
Character traits (13-16)
Salt (13)
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
The Beatitudes are followed by a summary statement of the basic character of the Christian life as salt and light. Ye are the salt of the earth: Again the phrase “ye are” indicates that only the genuinely born-again person is salt and can meet the needs of the world. Salt adds flavoring, acts as a preservative, melts coldness, and heals wounds.
Light (14-16)
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Ye are the light of the world describes the essential mission of the Christian to the world. He is conditioned (salt) to meet the world’s needs and has a mission (light) to the world. His light is to clearly shine forth into the darkness of human depravity.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Excerpts from the Liberty Study Bible, 1988, pages 1416-1417
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