MATTHEW 5:1-16

KEY VERSE: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

As a result of extensive research through many “teachings of wisdom,” I have concluded that there is none more profound than that contained in what is known as The Sermon on the Mount. The teachings in the Book of Matthew were presented by Matthew who set out to convince the Jews that JESUS was the Messiah and that HIS PURPOSE for coming was to establish a kingdom on earth that was based on certain spiritual principles that would somehow release us from the material world and prepare us for the kingdom in heaven. This, in fact appears to be the purpose behind the teachings contained in this sermon. More directly, we are concentrating on the initial set of principles, outlined at the beginning of the sermon, known as The Beatitudes and what I consider GOD’S BLESSING PLAN FOR BELIEVERS.

GOD’S BLESSING PLAN’S TAUGHT (5:3-12)

As we enter into this reflection on the lesson, we find JESUS in a different capacity than our previous studies. Here HE assumes the role of TEACHER (5:2), as opposed to PREACHER. The difference centers around the fact that John and JESUS came initially with the express intent to “PREACH THE WORD,” yet, here in this message JESUS is teaching the WORD, which only HE had the authority to teach (Matthew 7:28-29).

While the entire Sermon on the Mount contains a conglomeration of wisdom, the introductory text (The Beatitudes) gives us GOD’S ultimate Blessing Plan for Believers (vv.3-12). The first four verses (3-6) explains what GOD has in store for those believers who, as I fore stated, realize the extent of their sinful nature, yet, on the other hand, know that they have a personal relationship with GOD, which supercedes that sinful nature.

A.) Toward Believers (vv.3-6)

First, the Kingdom of Heaven is promised to those of us who are “poor in spirit.” In other words, those of us who, after coming to accept our unworthiness of GOD’S BLESSINGS, have a “contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15), meaning that we are deeply and humbly sorry for our sins, resulting from remorse. Let me emphasize that this is not being sorry for one’s self but for one’s sins!

Next when believers “mourn,” they do not grieve as those who have no hope, for believers fully understand that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). This concept that a bereaved person can be blessed amidst, grief can only be understood by a believer. GOD also blesses us when we “grieve” (mourn) for those who are lost and have no connection with the FATHER through our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

Further, GOD has a blessing in store for the “meek” not the “weak.” This simply means that “meekness” should not be confused as a sign of “weakness.” Being “meek” is not a cowardly act as some might think. For, the world systems “only the strong survives attitude” makes a child of GOD appear weak and cowardly. However, the greatest example to walk on the face of the earth is our “TEACHER” JESUS CHRIST who told us in the 11^th chapter of Matthew’s gospel to “Take MY yoke upon you and learn from ME, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly in heart and you (who come to ME) will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Therefore, we can conclude with Paul that believers who are “meek” are not “weak” but “strong in the LORD and in the POWER of HIS MIGHT” (Ephesians 6:10).

Finally, JESUS implores us to accept that if we hunger and thirst after the things of this world (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 1 John 2:16), we are not seeking the “righteousness of GOD.” For Roman 10:1-3 tells us “CHRIST is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Therefore believers do not “hunger and thirst for righteousness” in order to become saved, but because they already are saved.

B.) TOWARD OTHERS (vv.7-9)

This set of principles is blessings that are received for the service of believers toward their fellow man. Instead of concentrating on our selves, we are shown how GOD will bless those who are able to come out of themselves and show concern for others. These “others” may or may not be believers, therefore, we must understand that they may not necessarily return the ‘favor’ and show mercy towards you. That is because the promise is made to children of GOD who realize that those who do not know our MERCIFUL SAVIOR cannot be merciful to others, for they do not understand the MERCY of GOD and its workings. Just as JESUS did not receive “mercy” from sinful humanity, although throughout HIS ministry HE showed “mercy” to all that HE encountered in need (i.e. cleansing the leper, making the dumb speak, helping the blind see, and the lame to walk). Therefore, do not expect the world to show you “mercy” just because you show “mercy” to the world. I understand that some will, but on the other hand, some won’t.

Next, the “pure in heart” are blessed because they accept the LORD JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR. Jeremiah 17:9 states that the natural or unregenerate heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. This is why David asked the LORD to “create in me a clean (pure) heart” (Psalm 51:10). The “pure in heart” are those who have an altruistic spirit of selfless devotion to the welfare of others. Their motivation is not self praise for their efforts, but they do what they do to the “GLORY OF GOD.” While there is a “reward” promised to the “pure in heart,” they receive instant gratification from the fact that there is “joy” (for a believer) in helping or serving others.

This is where the paradox comes into play for me, since it almost seems ‘selfish’ for me to feel so good about being a “blessing” to others. And still, in the end, knowing that “we shall see GOD” is just the ‘icing on the cake.’

Being a “peacemaker” in today’s society and world is difficult to say the least. But, I dare to say that GOD “KNEW” that it would be, hence, HIS PURPOSE for the “blessing” for the “peacemakers.” I understand that in the face of violence, anger, and conflict being a “peacemaker” is sometimes impossible under our own strength. However, through the POWER of THE HOLY SPIRIT, “we can do all things through CHRIST WHO strengthens us.”

With GOD’S help, not only will we be able to be, as our lesson points out, “peaceful…lovers of peace…or just speak of peace,” we will actually become “reconcilers,” ones who will actively “work” to bring about peace. These are the ones who receive the “blessing.”

The final group, “the persecuted,” represents the essence of what I consider mature Christians. These are they who not only exemplify the “righteousness of GOD” here on earth; they encourage others to walk in the “way of the LORD.” However, the “blessing” comes because they do this knowing that they will be “persecuted” for their words and actions.

When we have role models such as; the early church which was persecuted from the start, the apostles who were arrested and tried before the Sanhedrin, and JESUS HIMSELF, who stood “silent” in the face of HIS “false accusers” before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, it is not difficult for believers who know that just as sure as they suffer for the sake of CHRIST and THE GOSPEL “great is your reward in heaven.”

2. BELIEVERS AS SALT (v.13)

The metaphor in this verse portrays the believers as the “salt of the earth” and bears witness to the essence of Christian maturity. For the two ‘basic’ purposes of salt describes not only what a mature Christian should be, but also what one should do.

First, “salt” is used to season something, or to add some ‘extra’ factor so as to enhance or increase the value of the quality of the original substance. Thus, I believe JESUS is teaching those of us who are bearers of the True and Living WORD that we should allow GOD to use us here on earth to “season” the spiritual lives of those we encounter through our speech and actions. Just as one “pinch of salt” can add zest and flavor to an otherwise bland dish, so too can a “pinch of the LOVE of CHRIST” add to the life of one who is exposed to a “seasoned, salted Christian.”

Next, “salt” is used to preserve or ‘cure’ a substance. In other words, salt is used to keep a substance from spoiling or decaying to the state of rottenness, at which point it is good for nothing but throwing away. Hence, JESUS is also teaching us that in addition to adding “spiritual seasoning” to the life of others, through the same spirit we can allow GOD to use our “cured and preserved” spiritual lives as a catalyst to aid in the “curing and preserving” of others’ spiritual lives.

BELIEVERS AS LIGHT (vv.14-16)

JESUS HIMSELF makes the final metaphor clear for the believer. “Light” is used to make things brighter or more visible, as well as, to dispel or eliminate darkness. Thus, JESUS is saying to us, as well as those whom HE was teaching, that we are the “light” or manifestation of the goodness, mercy, grace of THE ALMIGHTY WORD OF GOD in the world. We as “lights” have been sent as “witnesses” to help illuminate or make clearer the presence of GOD THE FATHER working through us, by the aid of THE HOLY SPIRIT, to help the world know who JESUS is and what HE can do for the life of one who would only believe in HIM.

If we would, “Let our (your) light shine before men, that they may see our (your) good works, and glorify our (your) FATHER which is in heaven,” then the ‘darkness’ of this world; the ignorance, violence, anger, etc., would truly be “dispelled” and the “light” of THE WORD OF GOD through our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST in our lives will fully “illuminate” the world.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD