Sermon on the Mount (cont'd)

B. Temporal versus Eternal -

Read Matthew 5: 19-34. In Jesus’ day success or failure was measured by possessions, wealth, clothing, big house, etc. Consequently, people made pursuing these things a priority. If people failed to attain this definition of success, what would they feel? Anxiety. Jesus taught that one should pursue the eternal because the eternal produces security.

Beatitudes – The Beatitudes is the title given to the declaration of blessings that begin Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The word “beatitude” is Latin for blessed or happy. The Beatitudes set the tone for the rest of the sermon. They show how different Jesus’ teaching would be from that of the Pharisees. Read Matthew 5:3-12. The impact these words had on the people who were listening to Jesus cannot be understated. It had the impact of a spiritual atomic bomb. The majority of the audience consisted of people who were hurting physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. They were poor, hungry, homeless, hopeless, weak, etc. They did not feel blessed or happy. Their spiritual leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.) did not provide them with words of comfort or hope. In fact, they offered the complete opposite – words of condemnation. The spiritual leaders taught that a person who was poor, hungry, or suffering from a disease was cursed by God because of some sin they committed (ex. Book of Job). They held in low regard characteristics such as humility and mercy. They were for the weak. The proper response for someone who insults you or persecutes you is to respond in kind.

The Beatitudes of the Pharisees

Blessed are the rich, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who are happy, for they will never know sorrow.

Blessed are the proud, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who have plenty of food and drink, for they will constantly be filled.

Blessed are the ruthless, for they will be victorious.

Blessed are the followers of the Law, for they will see God.

Blessed are those who strike back at those who caused you pain, for vengeance is a sweet nectar to be enjoyed.
Blessed are those who are perfect in their righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people praise you, acclaim you and say all kinds of wonderful things about you because of your faithfulness to the Law. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

The above was the predominant teaching of the day – a teaching that alienated the vast majority of the populace. Then Jesus came along teaching the complete opposite of the Pharisees. He took what the Pharisees regarded as negative characteristics and made them positive. He took negative experiences that the people were going through and related to in order to explain spiritual things. In the process, Jesus gave them something to hope for. Imagine, after centuries of being told you have been cursed by God this man Jesus is now teaching that you are blessed because one day you will know happiness.