Matthew chapter 5 (Sermon on the mount # 1)

Matthew chapter 5 gives us the beginning of the 'Sermon on the mount'.

Several featurs about the setting of Jesus' sermon are important to take note of before geting into what is actually said by Jesus here.

In continuation of Matthew's portrail of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, from verses 1 & 2 we see that...

1. The "mountain" settings in Matthew are usually significant. Matthew is probably drawing attention to the similarity to Moses' revelation on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:3). However while Moses was a prophet or messenger of God, here the message is being delivered to the people by God made flesh, Jesus, without a 'middle man'.
2. The method of Jesus' teaching here is also appropriate. That Jesus sat to teach fits expected patterns of Rabbinical instruction. Thus Jesus takes the role of the scribes, but Matthew also indicates that Jesus is greater than the scribes.
3. Jesus' sermon is specifically addressed to the disciples, but Jesus also invites those who are not disciples to live according to the values of God's kingdom. The crowds following Jesus function as at least potential disciples; disciples in the Gospel provide models for later believers. Matthew explicitly indicates that Jesus taught his disciples, but also that the crowds were present, implying that Jesus wanted both to hear, and that His words hold importance for both believers (for instruction) and non-believers (for salvation) alike.

The Beatitudes: Matthew 5: 3-12

Jesus employs a fairly typical Jewish literary technique to express His points here. A beatitude, which runs like this: "It will go well with (blessed is) the one who . . . for that one shall receive . . ." In this context Jesus' beatitudes show what kingdom-ready people should be like (how to be salty or shine his light) as well as kingdom promises.

Jesus promises the kingdom not to those who try to force God's hand in their time but to those who patiently and humbly wait for it; the meek, the poor in spirit, the merciful, the peacemakers. This is in stark contrast to how many Jews at the time expected their saving Messiah to have military of political power. Of course Jesus' does not merely challenge the notion of violent revolution, but Peacemakers not only live at peace but bring harmony among others. Jesus offers comfort to those who mourn, both those who show sincere remorece for their sin, and the sin of others; and those who are broken and carry the burden of grief. The people of His kingdom are the humble, not the arrogant. The pure in heart refers to those who recognize that God alone is their hope, we should hunger and thirst for Jesus as only he can sustain our spiritual lives as only good food and clean water can sustain our physical.

Jesus promises His kingdom to the powerless, the oppressed, the persecuted, who trust in God rather than the world of men. This promise provides us both hope to work for justice and grace to endure the hard path of love.

Salt and Light: Matthew 5: 13-16

With the Beatitudes, Jesus described the appropriate lifestyle of a Chistian. Jesus now explains that a person climing to be a Christian but who does not live this lifestyle is worth about as much as tasteless salt or invisible light - nothing.

Jesus refers here to more than good deeds; he refers to a good character. Jesus does not intend for Christians to do good works publicly for their own honor, he desires us to do those good works publicly for God's honor. This distinction encourages us to guard the motives of our hearts and consider the effects our public activities and pronouncements have on the spread of the gospel and the honoring of God among all groups of people.

The Fulfillment of the Law: Matthew 5: 17-20

Here Jesus essentially says, "Look, if you thought the law was tough, wait till you see this. If you really want to be my disciples, give me your hearts without reservation".
This passage seems to suggest that an uncommitted Christian is not a Christian at all. Like other Jewish teachers, Jesus demanded whole obedience to the Scriptures; where Jesus differs though is that He is not satisfied with the performance of scribes and Pharisees, saying that simply abiding by the Mosaic Law does not earn salvation, our righteousness must even surpass that! Humanly impossible, but His righteousness and grace is sufficent to save even the worst of sinners.

Murder, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, An Eye for an Eye, and Loving our Enemies: Matthew 5: 21-48

Here Jesus takes care to outline that the righteousness needed for salvation is not just keeping to laws, but even having the correct attitudes. Even someone who is "...angry with [their] brother will be subject to judgment... anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." Jesus says that getting angry or calling someone a fool, in the eyes of God, is as bad as committing murder. Jesus here is not suggesting that we can earn our salvation through good works or right attitudes, but rather pointing out to the Jews (who thought that keeping the law of moses was sufficent for salvation) that it is impossible to be deserving of admission into Heaven. If we were to earn our salvation we would need to "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."