THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (MATTHEW 5:1-12)

The sermon on the Mount is filled with great truths and applications for a follower of Christ. There are some biblical themes present in how Matthew introduces the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-2. For example, Jesus was portrayed as the great Master Teacher. There were multitudes who followed Him together with His disciples. Jesus made use of the occasion to teach and preach. Matthew introduced the sermon on the mount by setting the stage for us to read what the great Master Teacher had to say.

Matthew also set the stage for the introduction of the Beatitudes, which are the blessedness or happiness of the followers of Jesus if they possess and act out certain qualities. Matthew also set the stage for the introduction of the kingdom of heaven and the qualities possessed by those who are in it. The kingdom of heaven is the church (Matthew 16:18-19).

According to Thayer, the word “blessed” means “happy”. When one has and puts the Beatitudes into action, such a person will be in a state where he receives divine favour (Mounce). This person’s blessedness is built upon Jesus’ commandments and doctrines. It is not built upon earthly things or possessions. Jesus talked about moth and dust corrupting earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-20), thus explaining that earthly treasures do not last forever. One who focuses on earthly treasures will thus have limited blessedness and happiness. Instead, if one focuses on the Beatitudes and does them, his happiness or blessedness will last.

There is much to learn in the Beatitudes, which different groups of people interpret the teachings of Jesus differently. Modern day psychologists and society in general might view Jesus’ teachings with skepticism and possibly an impossibility to achieve. They may have difficulty grappling with what Jesus had taught. For example, Jesus said in Matthew 5:5 that the meek are blessed because they shall inherit the earth. However, society teaches that one needs to be assertive and that it is sometimes challenging to be gentle and meek towards a person who is abusive or brash. Some societies view democracy as important and the need to stand up for one’s own right. However, Jesus taught that one is blessed when others persecute or make false accusations against the Christian as a result of his faith. This is  something a modern-day psychologist and society in general may find difficult to accept. The statements they may make might be “How can I just stand by and be bullied? I need to fight for my rights!” Society in general will also find happiness in earthly and material things like wealth, but Jesus taught on happiness being derived from spiritual matters and innate character.

As part of understanding the eight Beatitudes, we may use a table below with the opposites of each beatitude:

No.	Beatitude	Opposite
1.	Poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)	Proud and dependent on self
2.	Mourn (Matthew 5:4)	Delight in
3.	Meek (Matthew 5:5)	Arrogant and conceited
4.	Hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6)	Partakers of ungodliness
5.	Merciful (Matthew 5:7)	Merciless or not pitiable
6.	Pure in heart (Matthew 5:8)	Unrighteousness or sinfulness
7.	Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)	Unruliness
8.	Persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10)	Relieved or delivered as a result of righteousness

Understanding how the eight Beatitudes relate to the promises that follow them will be of great benefit to us:

• When one is poor in spirit, one will tend to be humble and rely on God and His word. As a result, he or she will enter the kingdom of heaven. 

• When one mourns as a result of his or her sins, godly sorrow will work repentance and as a result, they will be comforted by God’s promises and the salvation from Jesus. 

• When one is meek, one will be submissive to God and desire to follow Christ’s meekness. In so doing, one will be able to enjoy whatever one is blessed with on this earth. 

• When one hungers and thirsts after righteousness, one strives to be right before God. As a result, one will be blessed or filled with joy because of being in a right relationship with God. 

• When one is merciful, God will show the person mercy. 

• A heart that is pure will be one which focuses on God and wants to seek things after God. As a result, such a person will see God in heaven. 

• When one is a peacemaker, the person seeks to maintain peace, harmony and to be at peace with God. Such a person is a child of God as God is love and peace. Paul wrote in Romans 12:18 that if it be possible, live peaceably with all men. 

• When one is persecuted for the Lord’s sake and for the kingdom’s, one will be blessed because Jesus will confess the person before God in heaven (Matthew 10:32).

The promises that follow from the Beatitudes are not automatic. They must come from the heart of the individual and a continued perseverance to live a faithful Christian life. If this sincerity is absent, such a person will be like the Pharisees, who were hypocrites. The promises are realized when one embraces the Beatitudes in one’s life, allowing one’s light to shine before men, so that they may see one’s good works and thus glorify God (Matthew 5:16).

What a great Master Teacher in Jesus we have!

Ask Yourself:

1. How would modern day psychologists and society evaluate Jesus’ teachings in the Beatitudes?

2. What are the Beatitudes?

3. Is Jesus describing who His followers are or prescribing what they must do?

Suggested Answers:

1. They might view His teachings with some skepticism and probably an impossibility to achieve.

2. Poor in spirit, mourn over sins, meek, hunger and thirst after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

3. You may discuss this with any Bible class teachers.