This study of the Gospel according to Matthew is a collaborative effort between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. Each week we explore another chapter of Matthew's Gospel using Mary's study notes. Alice adds some notes of historical and anthropological relevance.
Begin by reading Matthew, Chapter 5. After you have read the chapter, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Introduction
Of the four Gospels, Matthew's narrative is the most attuned to the history and traditions of the Jews. Many first century Jews wanted to understand how the teachings of Jesus fit with the Law of Moses. Jesus explained that he did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matt. 5:17).
Indeed, Jesus Christ set a standard above the Mosaic code. The code attributed to Moses permitted divorce, but Jesus taught that divorce used to switch partners is adultery. The Mosaic code forbid adultery, but Jesus taught that even looking lustfully at a woman is adultery. Jesus was building a hedge or a fence around the Law (asu s’yag latorah), a device employed by rabbis. Jesus was doing something that would have been familiar to his Jewish listeners.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain and sat down to teach. This is where he delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew's Gospel portrays Jesus as a rabbi who speaks with great authority. While sitting down, Jesus delivers a discourse that runs from Matthew Chapter 5 through the end of Matthew Chapter 7. Typically, rabbis sit while teaching.Matthew presents Jesus as a new and superior Moses by drawing parallels between their lives. Both lead the people out of bondage. However, Jesus offers universal deliverance from sin and death, something Moses could not do. Moses delivered the Law which he received on Mount Sinai. Jesus delivered a new and superior law in the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon begins with the Beatitudes.
The word "beatitude" comes from the Latin beatus, meaning "blessed". Jesus is describing those who enjoy a relationship with God by living according to Christ's new law. The people of the New Covenant are to embody peace, mercy, meekness, hunger for righteousness, purity of heart, etc.
The followers of Jesus are to be salt and light in an unsavory and dark world. We are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In other words, we are to adhere to a moral code that is superior to that delivered by Moses. Our righteousness is to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees who zealously observed their Jewish rituals, dietary restrictions, and Sabbath rules. However, many lacked compassion, humility, and purity of heart.
Matthew also writes about the persecution that Believers can expect. Jesus' first-century followers faced beatings, slander, arrest, banishment, loss of property, and death.
Matthew, Chapter 5
1. What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"?
2. What blessing comes to Jesus' followers who mourn the deaths of loved ones or personal losses?
3. What are the characteristics of a meek person?
4. What practices help a Believer to satisfy the hunger for righteousness?
5. What does Jesus teach about mercy?
6. What does it mean to be pure in heart?
7. How does the Christian wage peace?
8. Why are we not to make rash promises or neglect to fulfill vows?
9. What does Jesus say about how we are to respond to enemies?
10. How is the Christian to respond to persecution?
1. To be poor in spirit is to rely on God for all things and to make God's will our first priority. The poor in spirit will receive the kingdom of heaven because they have lived in such a way that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
2. Those who mourn will be comforted. Comfort comes from knowing that God is good and just. Comfort also comes from the assurance that those who have died in Christ will enjoy eternal life. The comfort that comes from God also strengthens us.
3. The meek are not weak. They are humble and gentle and have inner peace because they trust God. Jesus refers to Psalm 37 when he speaks of the meek inheriting the earth or the land. Psalm 37:11 says that "the meek shall inherit the land [ʾeretz ארץ ] and delight themselves in abundant peace". Meek people will have a place of their own. Jesus' listeners would have been reminded of God's promise of a land (Eretz Yisrael) for the Israelites.
4. The hunger for righteousness is satisfied by daily prayer, Bible study, attendance at worship, fellowship with other Believers, short periods of fasting, ministry to others, and times of quiet.
5. Jesus teaches that the merciful will receive mercy. Our forgiveness of others is linked to receiving forgiveness and mercy from God. This is expressed in the Lord's Prayer where Jesus states, "forgive us our trespasses, as we also have forgiven those who trespass against us". Matthew 6:14-15 warns that if we do not forgive others, our heavenly Father will not forgive us.
6. Purity of heart is expressed by a steadfast faith that is motivated simply by the love of God. It is free from mixed motives. It also seeks freedom from the desires of the flesh. Psalm 24:4 describes the person who has "clean hands and a pure heart". They do not swear deceitfully. Their thoughts and actions are truthful and pleasing to God.
7. The Christian is to be a peacemaker through intercessory prayer, sound counsel, compassion, and honesty. We are to wage peace through the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, risen from the dead.
8. Jesus tells the people to be honest with God and one another. A simply "Yes" or "No" is sufficient. We are not to swear falsely or to bear false witness. If we make an oath or swear a vow before God, we are to fulfill it promptly. Jesus refers to Deuteronomy 23:21 which states, "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee". This verse instructs Believers to fulfill their vows to God because failing to keep a vow is a sin and God will hold us accountable.
9. The Jews were taught "An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth". This was intended to limit retaliation or vengeance among a people who often shed innocent blood (See Gen. 34:25-29). Jesus says that we are not to resist one who is evil. Instead, we are to show them forgiveness and fearless generosity. We are not to lash out when insulted. We are to give to those who beg and lend to those who ask to borrow. Our attitude toward people must reflect God's goodness.
10. Christians are to love our enemies and pray for them. In this way we reflect God's perfection. God's perfection is revealed in His unchanging character, unfailing Word, and in God's just and merciful nature.
The crowd that gathered to listen to Jesus was amazed because He spoke with authority greater than the rabbis.
Next week we will consider Matthew, Chapter 6. Please invite your friends to join us as we continue to discover the riches of Matthew's Gospel.
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