Matt 5
When Jesus went up into the mountain and began teaching the multitudes, I wonder if the disciples realized that they were listening to one of the most important sermons the world has ever heard. Simple in structure, this sermon has been used by more people to develop philanthropic philosophy (or rules for men) than any other teaching I have heard of. In fact, if you evaluate other world religions you will find that they use some of the ideas presented by Jesus for their own teachings.
He starts out with what have become known as the Beattitudes. You know them by their start phrase, "Blessed are..."
v. 3 - Poor in spirit - to be honest this concept has baffled me for many years. It seems to be talking about those who are not self-fulfilled. But, since the reward for such a state is the kingdom of heaven, it seems it most likely refers to those who recognize their spiritual emptiness in need of Christ
v. 4 - pretty straight forward, those who see grief will also see comfort. When you think about it, comfort would not exist without the grief.
v.5 - the gentle (or meek), not referring to a namby pamby, but more of a Moses like frame of mind. If you recall, Moses was a reluctant leader, but he was a bear when the people crossed the line with God. I really think this is a mindset we can attain to, to only make an issue of the commandments of God and let everything else slide.
v. 6 - those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - these are people are truly seeking to be filled with Christ. God tells us in James if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.
v. 7 - mercy - you get what you give. Jesus will explain this concept much later in a parable, but Paul also gives us perspective in Galatians 6:7 - 8 "whatever a man sows that he will also reap."
v. 8 - pure in heart - this indicates a state of sincerity and integrity that allows a person to maintain their proximity to God. Although, I think it also could mean that having a pure heart allows you to see God at work in things most other people take for granted.
v. 9 - the peacemakers - these are not the Colt brand, but are people who are concerned for reconciliation. This is frame of mind that Christians should hold in high regard and yet we are very often swayed by personality conflicts and selfish ambitions.
v. 10-12 - This last bit speaks of the blessings that come from being attacked and persecuted for your faith in God's Word. Paul and Silas illustrated this perfectly for us when they were beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel (Acts 16:22-34)
v. 13 - 16 - this is an important lesson for Christians to tell us how to behave in the world. We are salt and light and are supposed to stand out for our good deeds. I am so sick of hearing stories of judgmental and bitter church goers. I am tired of listening to the conversation and jokes of Christians that is not the least bit God honoring ( Eph. 5:3-13). In Philippians 2:12-18 further explains that this is a key mark of our salvation. Or as Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15)"
v. 17-20 - God expresses to us that discipleship to Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, the whole law. We are not to be in bondage to manmade rules, only spiritually given over to what God wants from us. However, most importantly, we are not to change or ommit any part of God's commandments. I find that churches are especially good at this by developing a heirarchy of leadership based on government limits and necessity rather than on the spiritual guidelines that God gives us in His Word. This can only hinder the overflowing abundance of God's presence and also diminishes our reward and position in the kingdom. If you love Christ, then we really do need to pay attention and follow his commandments.
The theme that I noticed in all of this discussion is the markings of true disciples. God is not interested in the outward appearance we make in our religious workings. He wants a humble spirit with a loving heart to do all that He might ask of us. What do you think we could do to accomplish this in our lives?
Comments on verse10:
ReplyDeleteJesus does not present to His followers the hope of attaining earthly glory and riches, and of having a life free from trial, but He presents to them the privilege of walking with their Master in the paths of self-denial and reproach, because the world knows them not.
He who came to redeem the lost world was opposed by the united forces of the adversaries of God and man. In an unpitying confederacy, evil men and evil angels arrayed themselves against the Prince of Peace. Though His every word and act breathed of divine compassion, His unlikeness to the world provoked the bitterest hostility. Because He would give no license for the exercise of the evil passions of our nature, He aroused the fiercest opposition and enmity. So it is with all who will live godly in Christ Jesus. Between righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth and falsehood, there is an irrepressible conflict. When one presents the love of Christ and the beauty of holiness, he is drawing away the subjects of Satan's kingdom, and the prince of evil is aroused to resist it. Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ. The character of the persecution changes with the times, but the principle--the spirit that underlies it--is the same that has slain the chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel.
As men seek to come into harmony with God, they will find that the offense of the cross has not ceased. Principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places are arrayed against all who yield obedience to the law of heaven. Therefore, so far from causing grief, persecution should bring joy to the disciples of Christ, for it is an evidence that they are following in the steps of their Master.
While the Lord has not promised His people exemption from trials, He has promised that which is far better. He has said, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Deuteronomy 33:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9. If you are called to go through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even as He was with the faithful three in Babylon. Those who love their Redeemer will rejoice at every opportunity of sharing with Him humiliation and reproach. The love they bear their Lord makes suffering for His sake sweet.
Through trials and persecution, the glory--character--of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The church of God, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. They walk in narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ's sufferings, they are destined to be partakers of His glory. In holy vision the prophet saw the triumph of the people of God. He says, "I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory, . . . stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." Revelation 15:2, 3; 7:14, 15.
This is a great point for consideration. Jesus never promised that there would be no hardships and persecution for following Him. He did, however, offer hope that the rewards for following were far greater than the costs of not following Him. And, as the response indicates above, what is not following Christ...is following Satan.
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