In Matthew chapters 5-7, we find the most comprehensive collection of Jesus' ethical teaching. The Sermon on the Mount presents a radical vision of life in God's Kingdom.
Setting the Scene
Jesus went up on a mountain, sat down (the traditional posture of a rabbi teaching), and began to teach His disciples while the crowds listened. This deliberate setting echoes Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
Jesus begins with eight blessings that turn worldly values upside down:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit - Those who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy
- Blessed are they that mourn - Those who grieve over sin
- Blessed are the meek - The gentle and humble
- Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness - Those who desperately desire holiness
- Blessed are the merciful - Those who show compassion
- Blessed are the pure in heart - Those with undivided devotion to God
- Blessed are the peacemakers - Those who reconcile others
- Blessed are they which are persecuted - Those who suffer for Christ
Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)
"Ye are the salt of the earth... Ye are the light of the world."
Jesus calls His followers to be preserving influences in a decaying world and illuminating lights in darkness.
Fulfilling the Law (Matthew 5:17-48)
Jesus doesn't abolish the Old Testament Law but fulfills and deepens it:
- Murder begins with anger in the heart
- Adultery begins with lust in the eyes
- Love must extend even to enemies
True Piety (Matthew 6:1-18)
Jesus warns against religious show:
- Give in secret
- Pray in secret
- Fast in secret
The Father who sees in secret will reward openly.
The Lord's Prayer
Jesus gives us a model for prayer that covers:
- God's glory: "Hallowed be thy name"
- God's Kingdom: "Thy kingdom come"
- Our needs: "Give us this day our daily bread"
- Our relationships: "Forgive us our debts"
- Our protection: "Deliver us from evil"
Building on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27)
Jesus concludes with a challenge: hearing His words is not enough—we must do them. Only then do we build our lives on solid rock.
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." — Matthew 7:24