NT Part 5: Mathew 5

Mathew 5: 1-2
The Sermon on the Mount
1 One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him,
2 and He began to teach them.

Mathew 5: 3-12
The Beatitudes
3 "God blesses those who are poor (in spirit) and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie to you and say all sorts of evil things about you because you are my followers.
12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great award awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way."

My Thoughts: This passage is very interesting because it almost reveals WHY certain people act the way they ultimately should. If you knew you were going to make it to Heaven, you would be humble. If you know the kind of mercy that God would show you, it would make you that much more merciful towards others. In essence -the more you know God and the closer you are to Him, the more you act like you do. Even if you don't necessarily know the specific reasons why you carry that kind of grace in you, those who are truly with God can be seen. This passage also reassures people who suffer in life that they will find peace with God in the end.

Teaching about Salt and Light
Mathew 5: 13-16
13 "You're the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 "You are the light of the world -like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

My Thoughts: The passage about salt made me think -What use is a soul that isn't spiritual? If a person is, in essence a soul, but doesn't acknowledge it and buries that part of themselves -What good are they? My second thought on the passage was where He says that you give "light to everyone in the house". It's a reminder that people shouldn't "shine" just for themselves to get attention, but that when God raises someone up it is to guide and support other people and lead them to finding the same light for themselves.

Mathew 5:17-20
Teaching about the Law
17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 "But I warn you -unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!"

My Thoughts: What was the purpose of the Prophets? I think it was to guide people to God and help people connect with Him. Jesus came to fulfill that purpose. What is the purpose of God's law? To protect people and guide them to Heaven and God. Laws keep order and prevent chaos and pain from breaking out. It helps maintain justice. It's hard to say, but it also sounds like people who ignore the commandments and tell others to do the same can still make it to heaven -they'll just be "the least" in Heaven. Teachers of God's law on the other hand will be greatly rewarded -which sounds about right considering teachers and those who help people understand don't typically make much in life and don't really get the credit they deserve.

But His statement about Being more just/righteous than the teachers of religious law is a little troubling. I'd like to think He's saying that everyone should know God's law for themselves and then Live them. He also may be alluding to the fact that priests and religious authorities are not always as saintly as they should be... This passage may have been the one that inspired Martin Luther to post his reflections on the door.

Mathew 5: 21-26
Teaching about Anger
21 "You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.'
22 But I say, even angry with someone (without cause), you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot (speak with contempt), you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of Hell.
23 "So if you are presenting a sacrifice (gift) at the alter in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24 leave your sacrifice there at the alter. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 "When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your difference quickly. Otherwise your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
26 And if that happens, you surely won't be free again until you have paid the last penny."

My Thoughts: Anger usually arises because of impatience with people or negative emotions overwhelming someone. Patience is a virtue for a reason. And putting your emotions over and before a human being is like saying money is worth more than a person's life.

I'm a little confused about the "curse" portion of things. Is it cussing at someone or is it putting a curse over someone? Oh well, technicalities.

I thought the reconciliation of enemies was enlightening. When you are angry at someone you carry that anger within you and you can't find Peace within yourself if you are harboring Anger. It also shows that like a parent, God doesn't take sides with two of His kids who are bickering. He just wants them to settle their argument and get along. Peace becomes more important than people's personal claims of injustice.

Verses 25-26 mention a court and a judge and a prison. The prison must be purgatory. A place where people are held until their souls are released/redeemed.

Mathew 5:27-30
Teaching about Adultery
27 "You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.'
28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 So if your eye -even your good eye -causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into Hell.
30 And if your hand -even your stronger hand -causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into Hell.

My Thoughts: Well this section would certainly help our society with rape issues. It seems like people act like Jesus was fluffy in word and glazed over older laws. Not so much. I think the severity of His words was to make people really present to the reality of the state of their soul. It was to jar them awake. Monks often use harsh, graphic images to make people refrain from "sinful" practices. I think this was Jesus' way of doing the same.

Mathew 5:31-32
Teaching about Divorce
31 "You have heard the law that says, 'A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.'
32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery."

My Thoughts: Some women might take issue with this passage because it seems to focus on women in a negative light. Like saying: Well if a woman cheats you can divorce her and then she useless for any other man to marry. But when you compare it to the teaching about adultery that was more focused on men -it seems fairer. Chopping off hands and gouging out eyes.

Mathew 33-37
Teaching about Vows
33 "You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.'
34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, 'By Heaven!' because Heaven is God's throne.
35 And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is His footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
36 Do not even say, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black.
37 Just simply say, 'Yes I will' or 'No I won't'. Anything beyond this is from the evil one."

My Thoughts: I get it. It's like saying, "I promise in the name of all that is holy and the Jonas Brothers and all the majesty the earth possesses and every superfluous embellishment known to man that I will be faithful to this woman. Either your promising to things that are far greater than you or things that are too meaningless. Just promise simply and with sincerity.

Mathew 5:38-42
Teaching about Revenge
38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the left cheek, offer the other cheek also.
40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow."

My Thoughts: Always give more than what has been taken. Giving = Redemption. It's the paradox of the soul that the more you give of items, time, and service -the greater your soul becomes. The more your soul gains. There's grace in giving. At first I thought the "eye for an eye" philosophy was being contradicted here by Jesus saying give rather than take: But it's for everyone who deserves to be punished for doing something wrong. Instead of you just giving an eye -give MORE. Instead of just giving a coat -give MORE. Don't just give "an eye for an eye" -give MORE. It seems like Christ isn't just supporting previous understandings of God's laws, He's re-enforcing them further.

Mathew 5: 43-48
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy'.
44 But I say, 'Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in Heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and unjust alike.
46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

My Thoughts: A lot being said in such a short passage. This passage seems to be conveying the message that in Heaven, everyone will act respectfully towards one another and there will be no hate. If you want to get into Heaven you need to act like you would there. Friendly to everyone and respectful to everyone. Non-judgmental. More importantly if you want to be close to God and show you know and respect Him, you need to treat people the way He does. If your soul is going to expand and become great, you need to stretch your love in ways you normally wouldn't and extend grace to those you normally wouldn't.