The Sermon on the Mount

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The greatest collection of Jesus's teaching is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), delivered on a hillside in Galilee. It sets out what life under God's rule looks like. Its closing words record the crowd's reaction: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29) [6].

The Beatitudes

The sermon opens with blessings that overturn the world's values:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (5:4).
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (5:5).
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (5:6).
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (5:7).
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (5:8).
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (5:9).
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (5:10).

Salt, Light, and the Law

Jesus told his hearers: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14). On the Law, he declared: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil" (5:17). He then showed that God's standard reaches the heart. The command not to murder includes anger; the command not to commit adultery includes lust (5:21-30). Six times he said, "Ye have heard that it was said ... But I say unto you," placing his own word beside the Law of Moses, a claim of authority no ordinary rabbi would make.

Love Your Enemies

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). The standard is nothing less than God's own: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (5:48).

Sincere Worship

He warned against doing good to be seen by men (Matthew 6:1-18) and taught a pattern for prayer:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Treasure, Worry, and Priorities

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). "No man can serve two masters ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (6:24). And: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (6:33).

Relationships and Judgment

"Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). The so-called Golden Rule sums up the Law: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" (7:12). His invitation to prayer is generous: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (7:7).

Two Ways, Two Builders

The sermon ends with a choice: the narrow gate that leads to life and the wide gate to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14), and two builders, one on rock and one on sand. The wise man hears Jesus's words and does them, and his house stands in the storm (7:24-27).

CHAPTER 7