The Sermon on the Mount Living the Kingdom

A Guiding Principle Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us Matt 1:23 Identified at the beginning Matt 28:20 Confirmed at the end

The Reign of God How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings Good News, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’ … Break forth into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem... and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God (Is 52:7-10)  

God’s Reign in the Psalms…. Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth… who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down… The Lord is King forever. (Ps 146:5-10)

Matthew 5-7 in context The Proclamation of the Kingdom in 3:1 and 4::17. John and Jesus call for repentance (metanoia) as a preparation for the kingdom Matthew 4:23-25 provides a context for understanding the role of the sermon in the proclamation of the Kingdom: “He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.”

Structure of the Sermon Introduction 5:1-2 The Beatitudes 5:3-16 First Teaching on Righteousness 5:20-48 Second Teaching on Righteousness 6:1-18 Third Teaching on Righteousness 6:19 -7:11 Conclusion 7:12-28 (Note : The Our Father stands at the centre of the entire section )

The Beatitudes – Makarios – Happy / Blessed: Hebrew ashre Jewish background: Happiness which comes from the experience of human joy “Blessed am I! For the women will call me blessed.” (Gen 30:13) Happiness which comes from the experience of wisdom “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked..” (Ps 1) “Blessed is he who lives with an intelligent wife, and he who has not made a slip of the tongue, who has gained good sense and who speaks to attentive listeners.” (Sir 25:8) Happiness which belongs to a future time in the Apocalyptic writings “Blessed are those who grieved over all your afflictions because they will rejoice for you upon seeing all your glory” (Tob 13:14) “Blessed are you righteous and elect ones, for glorious is your portion.” (1Enoch)

A situation to be changed- not virtues to be imitated! 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, (Is 11:4, Am 2:7) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, (Is 61:3) for they will be comforted. 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, (Ps 37:11) for they will inherit the earth. 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matt 6:33)

Those committed to the Kingdom work towards the reversal described in 5:3-6 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, (Matt 9:10-13, 27; 15:21) for they will receive mercy. 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, (Matt 15:8, 23:28) for they will see God. 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, (Is 32:15-17, Jer 8:11) for they will be called children of God. 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 13:20-21)

Righteousness Background: zedekah (hqdc) dikaiosyne (dikaiosunh)) The covenant God of Israel acts with righteousness to save his people : See Ps 146:5-8 “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”

5:20-48 A “Righteous” Reading of the Law You have heard …..but I say to you On murder …. Don’t even be angry (21-26) On adultery …. Deal with your lusts (27-30) On divorce…. Revere marriage (31-32 , 19:9) On oaths….Be honest (33-37) On retaliation ….Think of the other (38-42) On enemies…. Love as God loves (43-48)

6:1-18 Righteous Behaviour The person who acts according to the values of the kingdom does not do so to gain the admiration or attention of others. On Almsgiving 6:2-4 On Prayer 6:5-8 The Our Father (6:9-15) On Fasting 6:15-18

6:19-7:11 The Righteous Way Treasure in heaven 6:19-21 The eye as the lamp 6:22-23 No service of two masters 6:24 No anxiety 6:25-34 No judging 7:1-5 No pearls before swine 7:6 Persevere in prayer 7:7-11

The True Disciple in the Kingdom The one who does the Father’s will as outlined in all that has been said. (7:21-23) The one who listens to the words of Jesus and acts on the them. (7:24-27) The values outlined in the sermon will be shown in action in all of Jesus’ subsequent words and deeds and in the actions of those who respond to him in faith.