Now we begin the three chapters of Matthew that have been called the Sermon on the Mount. In these three chapters, we have an unbroken section of the teachings of Jesus, in which he touches on the new way of living that God is bringing into the world through Jesus. Probably, Jesus did not sit and deliver all of this teaching in one session, but the compilation reflects the core of his messaging during his ministry.
In the ancient world (as in ours), the thought was that you could tell whom God was blessing and approving of by looking at their successful lives. If you were wealthy, healthy, powerful, victorious, a winner, that meant God cared for you. And if you were otherwise—well, God was not big on you.
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount by overturning all of this, in Matthew 5:1-12, which we most often call the Beatitudes. Beatus means blessed. In Greek, it is the word makarios. You could also translate that word happy, or as NT Wright translates it, wonderful news (for the poor in spirit, for example).
As you look over all the groups who are getting wonderful news in the Beatitudes, they are not what we normally call winners! Jesus brought wonderful news to the poor in spirit, brokenhearted and disregarded by others. Jesus brought wonderful news for those who were grieving, and for the gentle and meek, who normally got stomped on. He brought wonderful news for those who were hungry and thirsty for things to be made right by God. There was wonderful news for the merciful, and the pure in heart, who often got pushed aside by more forceful characters. There was wonderful news for the peacemakers and even for those who were persecuted, and slandered, because they belonged to God. God in Jesus was making these things come true in the here and now—not just in heaven, but in real life. Jesus brought heavenly conditions into this life, and this was the way we could begin to live now.
Because Jesus’ followers were going to show the world this new way of living, they needed to have their effect, like a sprinkling of salt that sharpens the whole dish (Matthew 5:13). And they should be shining their light to the whole world, so that people would see and give glory to God (Matthew 5:14-16).
For the rest of chapter 5, Jesus responded to those who might say that He came to do away with the Law of Moses. He gave illustrations of the way he wanted his followers not only to abide by the Law but to live in the spirit of the law (Matthew 5:17-20).
Each time, Jesus began with the Law: “You have heard that it was said to those of old…” and then he quoted from the Law. Then he said, “But I say to you…” and he intensified and pressed into the Law, taking it from mere outward behavior to a changed and transformed heart and mind. The Law became something springing from relationship with God rather than something rote and lifeless.
As we read these words, we should notice that Jesus is not only pressing us to go beyond the letter of the Law into the Spirit of the Law, but he also asks us, in the Spirit, not to hold onto what we are owed, but to see what we can give. He is calling us to go beyond the bare minimum, into the fullness of faithfulness.
The finale is in verses 43-48. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” He pressed us to go into the law and take it higher and further. For the first time, Jesus gave us a reason for it all: “so that you may be sons and daughters of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:45). We are to act toward others, even enemies, even our persecutors (!) as our heavenly Father acts toward us. When we return insult and hate to God after he has lavished love on us, what does God do? Still loves, still cares, still blesses. Jesus illustrated this by reminding us that the blessings of the sun and the rain fall on everyone, good or not (Matthew 5:45). Then Jesus turned it around and reminded his listeners that even people traditionally looked down on, stock villains like tax collectors and Gentiles, loved those who loved them. We are called to be more—actually, to be perfect, even as our Heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
Having shared with us how to respond fully to the Law, next, in chapter 6, Jesus turns to full worship.