Matthew 5

Matthew 5 (NKJV)

The Beatitudes

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

    For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

    For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

    For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

    For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

    For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Note: The word blessed here means “Supremely Blessed.” Such a powerful affirmation of those whos attitudes line up with what Jesus is saying here. Colossians tells us we are His favorites and now as we walk in the Way of Jesus, we are supremely blessed. Verse 8 blessing is incredible. A pure heart will see God. Purify our hearts Lord!

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Note: We are supremely blessed and Jesus declares that we are the light of the world. WE are called to let our light shine. Reveal Christ to those around you. Let your light shine. Maybe you have not been shining that bright lately, ask God to fill you today and begin to run with Jesus like never before.

Christ Fulfills the Law

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Note: The law won’t save us so Jesus came to fulfill the law that can’t save us so that we can believe in Him and be saved. Jesus made a way where we couldn't. His love for us in incredible.

Murder Begins in the Heart

21 “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.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Note: Jesus steps it up here for us. Murder? Wow. We need watch our step with anger. Anger will destroy what God’s plan is. Jesus tells us to be reconciled and not to hold on to our anger. This is especially true for husbands and wives. Put off your anger and Put on Love.

Adultery in the Heart

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Note: This is a powerful passage. When you read that some many people are caught up in pornography, men and women, we would be better of destroying the computer so that we can get to heaven than not getting there.

Marriage Is Sacred and Binding

31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Note: Take the vow seriously. In most marriage ceremonies we commit “till death do we part.” Do you really mean it? It is a strong commitment. Don’t enter into this covenant with an escape plan. Annanias and Saphira had an escape plan. They kept some money back just in case things didn’t work out well. You have to go “All In” if you’re getting married.

Jesus Forbids Oaths

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Note: Do you remember when a handshake and your word was enough? Times have changed but that does not mean that we have to be like the world. You don’t have to promise or swear, just do what you say, yes or no.

Go the Second Mile

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Note: It is said that the Roman soldiers loved to run into Christians on the road. By law if called upon a citizen had to carry the gear of a soldier for a mile. But when they came across a Christian they would go the extra mile for them.

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Note: God is calling us to a higher standard. He doesn’t want us to love the way the world loves but to soar past the worlds way of doing things. This kind of love is not based on how people treat us but it is based on the kind of love God shows us. Romans tells us “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Let this kind of love be in us and propel us through 2015. Be different. “Be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”