Please give an overview of Matthew 5.
Matthew chapters 5-7 is known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” Why? Because Jesus gave a lengthy discourse to His disciples from a mountain, as we see in 5:1-2, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them” (NKJV). What did He teach them? Before we give a brief outline and some thoughts on the outline, it’s important to know what HE DIDN’T TEACH THEM. His “sermon” was NOT 1) a message on how to be saved; or 2) a message for unsaved people. It was a message for all who acknowledge Christ as their King and in it the Lord Jesus lays down the laws and principles which should characterize His royal subjects. The “royal subjects” are those who have crowned Him as their King during His absence and those who will actually live on earth while He reigns during His Millennial Kingdom.
In 5:1-12 we have the BEATITUDES (9 BLESSINGS pronounced on those who are faithful to Christ). Here are the NINE SPIRITUAL QUALITIES that should be true of every believer in Christ:
“Blessed are THE POOR IN SPIRIT” (to realize we are weak and totally dependent upon God).
“Blessed are THOSE WHO MOURN” (to mourn over sin and its results, including sickness and death).
“Blessed are THE MEEK” (humble and gentle).
“Blessed are THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (longing for holiness).
“Blessed are THE MERCIFUL” (compassionate and showing mercy to those who deserve the opposite).
“Blessed are THE PURE IN HEART” (a heart free from sin and mixed motives).
“Blessed are THE PEACEMAKERS” (showing people how to have peace with God and with one another).
“Blessed are THOSE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE” (suffering for doing WHAT IS RIGHT).
“Blessed are YOU WHEN THEY…PERSECUTE YOU…FOR MY SAKE” (suffering for the NAME OF CHRIST).
After each of these spiritual qualities are mentioned, the Lord informs believers why they are blessed. I will let you read and meditate on these and may the Lord BLESS YOU as you consider what His grace has in store for you if your faithful in exhibiting the moral qualities of the Lord Jesus.
In 5:13-16 we see that the believer is “the salt of the earth” (verse 13) and “the light of the world” (verse 14). As we manifest the spiritual qualities outlined above we will be like SALT (preserving the world from utter corruption) and LIGHT (leading souls out of darkness into the light of Christ).
In 5:17-20 we see that Jesus came to FULFILL THE LAW. In the rest of this chapter He EXPANDS ON THE LAW by giving us a HIGHER STANDARD TO LIVE BY than contained in the Law. For example, in verse 21 He says, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ He is, no doubt, referring to the Law. Yet He goes on to expand on that teaching by teaching that “whoever is ANGRY with his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (verse 22). He gets to the ROOT CAUSE of murder in saying this and thus warns His disciples (in verses 23-26) of allowing anger to fester in their hearts.
In 5:27-30 He traces the ROOT CAUSE OF ADULTERY, for there too it takes place in the HEART. The rest of the chapter can be broken down as follows: In verses 31-32: Jesus CONDEMNS DIVORCE. In verses 33-37 He CONDEMNS OATHS. In verses 38-48 He COMMANDS LOVE FOR ONE’S ENEMIES. (321.5) (DO)