As I continue to read through Matthew, I'm reminded of the depth and richness of Jesus' teachings within the Gospels. My goodness, there is so much to learn and soak up. So much. At times, while I am reading, I look down at my hand underlining passage after passage, and say to myself, well, might as well highlight the whole, entire page.

What notes can I take, I think, what can I write besides rewriting it all, and then proceeding to memorize and repeat it all throughout my day.

Now, I better understand the need and desire for Christians to memorize verses. The Word is truly divine. I've often found myself saying, That, all that. There is no better way to say it, no way to completely explain it, just rest your heart and mind in what you just read.

Today's notes are no different. Matthew, Chapter 5 shares Jesus' sermon on the mount, and it is filled with insight about Christian living, following Jesus, and growing closer to God. I'm excited to share my notes with you.

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount

At the end of chapter four we see Jesus gathering the first disciples and beginning His ministry in Galilee, and then going down into Jerusalem, Judea, Decapolis, and beyond the Jordan. Though this may seem like background exposition, this information is important for understanding what kind of Messiah Jesus is. Jerusalem and Judea were Jewish areas, while Galilee was mixed, Jewish and Gentile, and Decapolis was mostly Gentile. Despite the mixture of people He encountered, we learn Jesus ministered and healed all of them. This brings me to the first key point,

• Jesus is the people's Messiah.
• Jesus came to save all, no matter the affliction, the disease, the sin, the past, the pain; He is Savior for all.

"Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." -Mt. 4:23 (HCSB)

As more followed Him, he went up on the mountain to teach, a parallel to Moses' teaching on Mont Sinai, and we see even more parallels between Jesus and Moses, that confirm Jesus' identity as the 'new' Moses. 

Parallels Between Jesus and Moses 

• Birth - Herod attempted to kill Jesus by ordering all infant boys in Bethlehem killed (Mt 2:16-18); Pharaoh ordered the execution of newborn male Israelites (Ex 1:15-18, 22). In both cases, both Jesus and Moses' lives were at danger as infants, both had to be hidden.
• Angel pronounces danger is passed - Jesus, "Those who sought the child's life are dead" (Mt 2:20), echoes Moses "All the men who wanted to kill you are dead." (Ex 4:19).

Understanding the connection between Jesus and Moses helps us read and interpret Jesus' Beatitudes better, as they are understood in relation to Moses' teachings. 

• Jesus is the 'new Moses'
• Jesus' blessings identifies His disciples as the 'new Israel'
• The 'new Israel' will experience an exodus and conquest.
• Jesus is a spiritual saver, not a political saver.
• Jesus offers spiritual salvation. Exodus from slavery to sin, offers spiritual victory over sin, the inheritance of a new promised land, salvation in heaven.

The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes are nine statements Jesus makes, describing who would be blessed in spite of their situation. All begin with the phrase "Blessed are...," which is where the name Beatitudes come from. In Latin, blessed is beatus, thus Beatitudes.

• "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -Mt 5:3 (ESV)
  • In the OT 'poor' referred to people who cried out to the Lord for daily provisions, and depended completely on God for salvation.
  • Here, Jesus refers to those 'poor' in spirit, sinners, who depend on God's mercy for deliverance and salvation.
  • Note, "kingdom of heaven" appears here, and will appear in the last Beatitudes, framing the Beatitudes as promise for the kingdom of heaven for those who follow Jesus, and obeys God.
• "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." -Mt 5:4 (ESV)
  • This Beatitude is passed on Is 61:1-3, which illustrates Israel's mourning over their exile at the hand of their sin.
  • Here, Jesus is saying those who mourn and deeply repent of their sins will be comforted.
• "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." -Mt 5:5 (ESV)
  • The 'meek' in this Beatitude echoes the 'gentle' in Ps 37:11 ("But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.")
  • The 'meek' and 'gentle' are like the 'poor, needy, brokenhearted' who turn to God for salvation.
  • The gentle are those who hold faith and trust in God's faithfulness and surrender His will even in the midst of suffering, pain, grief, and turmoil.
• "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." -Mt 5:6 (ESV)
  • The hunger and thirst in this Beatitude is a metaphor for our hunger and inward desire to please God and be righteous.
  • Those who are hungry and thirsty for God are 'passively divine' in God, a blessing only He can give.
  • Divine hunger and thirst is a gift from God to His followers.
  • Divine hunger and thirst is only quenched, or filled by God--it is not filled by our acts, or works (our merits or efforts).
• "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." -Mt 5:7 (ESV)
  • The merciful are those who extend forgiveness, compassion, grace and mercy to others.
  • God will show them the same mercy and compassion they have shown others.
• "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." -Mt 5:8 (ESV)
  • 'Pure in heart' refers to those with true righteousness in their heart.
  • In the fourth Beatitude, Jesus tells us that God grants this righteousness to those who genuinely hunger and thirst after it.
  • 'See God' is Jesus' promise that those who are truly righteous will one day experience God completely in His glory; Jesus' promises special access to God.
• "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Mt 5:9 (ESV)
  • Peacemaking is defined as forgiving, resolving conflicts, resisting revenge, and humbly loving and serving your enemies.
  • Those who are peacemakers will be known as the sons and daughters of God.
• "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mt 5:10 (ESV)
  • Those who suffer for God are purely righteous; their righteousness doesn't come from good acts or deeds, which could be faked, but from their willingness to be persecuted for God.
  • This willingness to be persecuted for righteousness is what Jesus asks of and expects from true disciples; true discipleship is willingness to follow Jesus at the cost of ones' comfort, and life.
  • The kingdom of heaven belongs only to those who are truly righteous.
• "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Mt 5:11-12 (ESV)
  • Jesus informs us that as followers of Him, we can and should expect persecution. However, the reward of that persecution is greater in heaven than the persecution on earth.
  • OT prophets, and Jesus were all persecuted and rejected, when we follow Him, we follow His persecution, but, it is a great honor.

As I studied the Beatitudes closely, I can't help but think Jesus gave them to not only guide and teach Christians, but also to comfort them in following Him. The Beatitudes cover a lot of the different emotions, persecutions, situations we'll encounter as Christians, and with each one of them, Jesus is telling us, Yeah, I know, this is what you'll encounter, but know, there is something greater. We will not mourn, suffer, cry out to the Lord, seek peace and hunger for righteousness in vain. 

I can't help but think of all the times I've mourned my grandmother, mourned mistakes I've made, cried out to God for more financial resources for my family when times are rough, or sought peace and felt saddened or persecuted for my situation. It isn't easy to seek peace with a troublemaker, or loss a beloved family member, or live paycheck to paycheck. In the Beatitudes, Jesus comforts us, telling us to look past our current situation and circumstance to the greater treasure He has for us with God.

I think now, there are a lot of times, throughout my life, I could have used these verses to comfort my heart. A lot of times I could have read Jesus' words to be reminded of the greater treasures my life is destined for. I'm grateful today, to have spent the time studying them, learning them, and will surely come back to them often to keep my spirit healthy in Jesus.

Salt & Light of the Earth

As we continue through Matthew 5, Jesus calls His Disciples the 'salt and light of the earth/world' and I find it beautiful how it sort of completes or transitions us out of the Beatitudes. In Biblical times, salt was used as a purifier, so being called salt of the earth means Jesus viewed His followers at purifiers of an unclean, or corrupt earth. What an honor. 

He also calls His followers the light of the world, urging

"Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Mt 5:16 (HCSB)

Again, what an honor.

Think about it. Jesus thinks you capable, calls on you to purify and light the world. Is there a greater calling? Is there a better purpose for our lives than to foster pure righteousness and light? With all of me, I tell you, I want nothing more for my life than to foster righteousness and light. I want nothing more. In all I do, I truly want to do what is right and brings light. Not because I believe myself righteous, but because I am awed by the love and grace of God. I am humbled and feel woefully unworthy for all the love He has given me, and I want that love spread as far as all the reaches of the earth.

There is such great honor in following Jesus, in being trusted to spread light throughout the world.

The Six Antitheses

We end Matthew 5 with Jesus' deliverance and interpretation of important Jewish laws. These antitheses would have been deeply important to the Christian Jews of Jesus' time, as they were navigating their lives in light of the Jewish Laws and following Christ. 

The Six Antitheses combined with the Beatitudes teaches and guides us on what following Christ is, and what Christian living truly is. When I think of them together, I tend to think of the Beatitudes guiding us spiritually in our emotional health--explaining to us all we'll feel and endure for a greater treasure, and the Six Antitheses I see giving us the practical, specific instruction of how to live day to day as a follower of Christ. The two of them together are beautiful, life instruction.

The Six Antitheses follows a pattern of "You have heard it said...but I say unto you..." and in this pattern, Jesus is really showing us how the Law was incorrectly interpreted and applied. His goal and purpose is not to rebuke the Law, but to uphold it, to confirm its authority, but to go deeper so that followers wouldn't become like the Pharisees and scribes who were incorrectly interpreting and bending the Law to their wishes. Each of Jesus' commands have OT references.

• "You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his broter will be subject to judgment." Mt 5:21-22 (HCSB)
  • Violence in our heart is just as evil as violent deeds.
  • It isn't enough to just follow the commandment of not committing murder, we must also make sure that we are not 'murdering' others in our hearts. As we think and feel in our hearts, identifies who we truly are.
• "You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has all ready committed adultery with her in his heart." Mt 5:27-28 (HCSB)
  • Adulterous thoughts are as illicit and condemned as adulterous acts. 
  • When we lust after someone, we are committing adultery in our hearts
• "It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce, But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Mt 5:31-32 (HCSB)
  • Divorcing for frivolous, inconsequential reasons (things outside of adultery) that can be fixed are not grounds for divorce, thus these divorces are not legitimate.
• "Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. But I tell you, don't take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God's throne; or by the earth, because it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Neither should you swear by you head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. But let your word 'yes' be 'yes'. and your 'no' be 'no.'" Mt 5:33-37 (HCSB)
  • In Jesus' eyes, oaths taken on someone's life or against God ("I swear to God") are not right because they indirectly call for destruction against a person or God's kingdom.
  • The better way to live is to be honest and true with your word, so that your yes is a true yes, and your no is a true no.
• "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don't resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Mt 5:38-39 (HCSB)
  • Jesus taught not to seek revenge or to follow vengeance.
  • However, Jesus was not implying to not seek justice or protect/defend oneself when threatened, but to not actively seek revenge against a wrongdoer. 
  • Jesus goes on to advise, "go the second mile" (Mt 5:41), which is an act of love and service to another.
• "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Mt 5:43-45 (HCSB)
  • In this final Antitheses, Jesus is not stating that praying for one's enemies makes you a son of God, but that the willingness to extend mercy and forgiveness to those who persecute you shows your likeness to God and His infinite mercy.
  • It is important to remember that God blesses the right and the wrong with sun and rain, so who are we to withhold blessings upon them?

For me, the greater lesson of the Six Antithesis is that in all situations, circumstances, and under all opportunities--do what is right. Not only in our actions, but also in our hearts. It is not enough to not hurt or harm others in what we say or do, but we must also make sure that in our hearts we are not harming, hurting, or wishing ill-will on others.

I have not always followed this. There are countless times in my life where I have sinned in my heart, though not in my actions. Sure, I'm ashamed, but I am also thankful that I have learned how wrong it is to sin in the heart. How many times have we lusted after a celebrity, or told a white lie, or have been dishonest with our word, or wished someone treating us wrongly ill-will? Countless. 

If we think about it, sin begins in our hearts. Lust, greed, anger, contempt--it all begins in our hearts and minds, and at some point we either choose to act on our thoughts and hearts, or not. Whether we act or not isn't the entirely the point, the point is that our thoughts, our heart has the potential to make us sin, and that we must root out. Without the sin in our hearts, we don't have to worry about the sin on our hands.

There is just so much to study and learn from Matthew. Every verse, every chapter offers so much guidance and wisdom on how to live a Christian life. Reading the Gospel of Matthew continues to minister to my spirit and life. I am beginning to make connections across concepts that deepen my understanding of what it means to live as a Christian woman.

Studying the Bible has a cumulative effect on our lives and spirits, as we grow deeper in the Word, we understand more, more is revealed, and in turn, we thirst and hunger for more, which prompts more reading, more growth. There is no greater truth at this point in my life, as I find myself eagerly, excitedly opening up my Bible daily, wanting to grow closer to Jesus.

I've read so much, I've not been able to keep up with my notes here. This morning I finished chapters thirteen and fourteen, though I am barely getting to chapter five's notes here. This is partly because I am reading faster than I have time to type up my notes, and partly because my life is full with homeschooling, grad school, mom and wife life, and separate Bible study and classes at church. In light of it all, I've decided to slow down a bit, and stop rushing and racing through the Word. I feel I need to slow down and really spend time digging into each chapter.

My notes here will continue, I'm sure they'll continue to be long, but I'm going to allow myself a bit more grace in how often I upload my notes. My goal is Mon. - Fri., but as it takes a lot of time, some days I may fall short of that goal. The greater purpose and goal is to continue sharing my insights, hoping that the insights I gain that provide greater peace and understanding in my life, will do the same for someone else.

Full and Deep Blessings to You,

Kiandra