Matthew 5

July Memory Verse: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Read: Matthew 5

Matthew 5 starts the most famous message ever taught and it was taught by none other than Jesus Himself. It is called “The Sermon on the Mount.” In it Jesus expands upon the law. He doesn’t merely show what obedience looks like to the letter of the law but to the heart of the law.

IN IT JESUS SHOWS US WHAT TRUE OBEDIENCE TO GOD & HIS STANDARD LOOK LIKE.

I love verse 1. I think it is often overlooked but I think that it shows Jesus’ intentionality &  grace. It communicates that as He was going along He saw the crowds and He went up (communicates “out of His way”) to teach them. He wanted them to understand what a life for God really looks like and why they needed a savior.

They had been taught that they can earn their way to heaven by the religious teachers (which Jesus CLEARLY speaks against in verses 17-20). Jesus intentionally & in His grace went to teach them. What He taught was very counter-cultural but it was truthful… What did He teach them?

1) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT BEING AN IDEAL DISCIPLE (v.2-12)

These are called the “Beatitudes”. From the get go Jesus was showing them where they were off when it came to God. Though we may do some of these well, none of us do all of these well… but Jesus was telling them this was how to live!

2) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT BEING SALT AND LIGHT (v.13-16)

He used the analogy of salt and light to describe a life that is God-Honoring and magnifies Him. In it we are told be to USEFUL and to not be a 15 watt bulb pointing at Jesus but to be a SPOTLIGHT pointing at Jesus in a way that “they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.”

3) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT HOW THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH (v.17-20)

They had been told that they could be enough for God, that all they had to do was to keep the law good enough and they would be in the right when it came to God. Jesus was telling them that this was a LIE. We would have to keep it PERFECTLY. This is why He came to FULFILL the law on our behalf… so he could be our substitute.

4) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT ANGER (v.21-26)

Jesus brought back the commandment they had heard “You shall not murder.” But in His teaching Jesus took it a step further. He showed how you can not just sin with your actions but sin in your heart. He showed them that ungodly anger toward someone is just as sinful and called them to gentleness and reconciliation.

5) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT SEXUAL PURITY (v.27-30)

They had been taught that they were to just “not commit adultery” but Jesus expanded on that law and called them to have holy hearts, minds, and intentions. This is so hard because we can easily conceal that from others, but we cannot conceal it from God.

6) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT DIVORCE (v.31-32)

We can not possibly cover all that the Scriptures say about divorce here and it is a touchy subject because there is so much pain wrapped up in it but what Jesus teaches us here is clear… Divorce is serious and is never God’s best.

7) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT OATHS (v.33-37)

The Pharisees were known for using oaths and promises for their own gain. Jesus was teaching them not to do this. This is deceitful. Let your yes be yes and your no be no and live your life in a way that you don’t need to make an oath for people to trust you.

8) HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT RETALIATION (v.38-42)

He taught them to be forgiving and reconciling. These two things are close to the heart of God. We are not to hold grudges or to return evil for evil but instead to do good to people because they are made in the image of God.

9) HE TAUGHT THEM TO LOVE THEIR ENEMIES (v.43-48)

Talk about counter-cultural. The world tells us to hate our enemy but Jesus tells us to love and pray for our enemies. It is easy to love those who love us but the true test of love is to love those who don’t “deserve it” (technically, we all don’t deserve it).

Jesus shapes a lot of what it looks like to live a Holy Life in this sermon. He points out areas of life one by one that we tend to make excuses USING the law and shows us the true heart behind the law, what true righteousness is, and how we can never fully live up. He is not only being truthful but He is setting the stage for the world, and us, to need a savior.

How did God speak to your heart today through the first part of this powerful message?

By: Nick Parsons

1 Comment


Jory Stafford - July 7th, 2021 at 7:32am

Now I understand why theologians have written entire books on this chapter. Wow! Well done Nick. This was a great devotion!!! What caught my attention is where are the peacemakers today? In the past we had people that stood up and stood out for peace. Now we seem to only be for or against. Can we be like those people that used to work for restitution, serving others and loving our enemies once again?

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