Day 262 – Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

• The Sermon on the Mount comprises many of Jesus’ most well-known (and beloved) teachings. It comprises verse after verse of how we can live as ambassadors of Jesus, knowing and living out the good news of the cross.
• It’s important to remember, therefore, that the words Jesus speaks here are not a requirement for entering the kingdom of God. Jesus is teaching people who have already chosen to follow him. It’s also not a description of what life will be like in heaven. Instead, it’s a description of what we should aim of lives to be like as we follow Jesus every day. We’ll never reach the standard set out in these chapters, of course, but they should bring us closer to Jesus who heals all our inadequacies.
• Matthew 5:2-12 is known as the “beatitudes”. They seem illogical at first glance, but they are deeply affecting when you read them as Jesus intended. Do any of the “blessed are…” verses speak to your heart? The first five (Matthew 5:3-7) help us to remember that God’s blessings come to those who understand their need of God’s mercy, just like when God told of what he had done by rescuing His people out of Egypt before giving them the Ten Commandments.
• How do you think the Jews would have been challenged when Jesus says that those with murderous thoughts would be judged like those who murder (Matthew 5:21-22)? How are you challenged by it?
• What about lust? Jesus wasn’t promoting self-mutilation when He said to “tear out your right eye”, so what is the practical message of Matthew 5:27-30? Whilst we’re on the subject, forgive me for being a little blunt for a moment. These four verses are ones which will challenge many people, including you perhaps. Lust that is inflamed by our eyes (verse 29), and then aided by our “right hand” (verse 30), can be an unhelpful habit in your Christian walk. Jesus may or may not have been making a direct reference to masturbation, but can I implore you to guard yourself, and your thoughts, in this area.
• Why should we love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), and “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39)? How did Jesus later do this Himself? Do you know anyone who is particularly good at living this out?
• We read the Lord’s prayer in 6:9-13. Do you understand all the things we’re praying about when we pray this prayer?
• Matthew 6 is primarily about seeing where our loyalties lie. They might be in the way we do religious practices (verses 1-18), or consider our money (verses 19-34). In the first section, what is Jesus challenging us about when it comes to the way we “do church” (attending services, praying aloud, giving money, etc)? Does this challenge you?
• In the second section (Matthew 6:19-34), we can clearly see Jesus encouraging us to put our trust in Him, rather than on our money (or success, or number of friends, or job, or ability to get the best phone). I’m sure this will have made you think. Do you serve two masters (Matthew 6:24)? What areas of your life does God take a distant second place?
• Do you trust in the awesome words of comfort and protection in Matthew 6:25-34? I don’t mean simply being appreciative of Jesus’ love for you, but actually trusting in messages like that in verse 33, remembering that by seeking God first, our earthly blessings will come too.
• What extra information, and differences, can you see in Luke’s shortened version of Jesus’ teachings?

It seems almost criminal to read so much in one day, and to have to provide such brief notes for such a section of scripture as this. Please don’t end your readings today without challenging yourself on the teaching you have received. If you claim Christ as your own, and trust in His saving blood on the cross, then you need to be living like salt and light in this world (Matthew 5:13-14). Publicly, what can you take away from these verses about honouring God in your actions? And privately, what things can you put in place to take action against the sin that’s holding you captive? As you do, think about what this passage has said about the all-encompassing love of the Father we serve.

We’ll flick back to these verses several times over the rest of the year, so we’ll have more opportunities to discuss Jesus’ wisdom then.