Matthew 5

 Good morning and welcome back....what a great weekend! Dinner with some good friends on Friday followed by a few days of work. Sherri and I are prepping for a week of camping at Chenango Valley State Park (leaving in a few hours) so nit sure how consistent my commentary will be this week. I don't know what internet access is like in the park! I will try my best...but keep reading if I fail!

Father's Day landed me a strawberry- rhubarb pie! My favorite!!

Chapter 5 is quite lengthy with lots of small stories- Matthew's typical method of teaching.

The first story we come to is Matthew's version of the sermon on the mount. For some reason, there were many many people following Jesus (v 1). Did they know about him? He hadn't done anything in the public eye, so it is interesting that he has such a great following now. My text says Jesus went up on a hill, some translations say "mountain". The idea was so that he could be seen by all and his voice would be better carried to the mass of people. He sat, a common posture for teachers of the time. Could you imagine your pastor sitting while teaching?!  The next piece of text says "his followers" (or some translations say "disciples"); we have been introduced only to a few (but it assumed he has selected all 12 by this point) and the message he is teaching is directed at them- rather than the crowd. The crowd was collateral learners! He delivers the "Sermon on the Mount" which is essentially Christianity boiled down to the basic essential parts. It is not political; there are no direct comments against the ruling parties; there is no declaration of war. This is not what was expected- the people expected that the coming Messiah would incite a riot and fight against the rulers of the day! This is probably one of Jesus' most famous sermons and is referenced by most all clergy many times in a year.

The sermon begins with the beatitudes...the "attitudes we should be" if we profess to be Christians. These are marks/goals/ characteristics of all Christians. Poor in spirit" (v 3) is a reference to our sin and rebellious nature; we are rewarded when we recognize that sin and we beg/ask for forgiveness. This is the first beatitude- our first step to obtaining a relationship with God. The "mourning" (v 4) is thought (by several commentaries)  to reference the feelings we have when we acknowledge our sin. When we realize our sinful nature- we feel mournful from it. The Original Greek word used indicated an intense guttural feeling of sadness and mourning. Do we feel that way when we realize of sinful nature? The word "meek" (v 5) is best translated to the feeling of humbleness.  Meek gives the impression of easily pushed over or stepped on; humbleness is a different attitude/emotion; strength under control. The first two beatitudes were more inward directed. This one is an outward directed feeling. Hunger and thirst for righteousness (v 6) implies an intense, passionate search for justice and righteousness. Hunger is not fulfilled with a small snack- it is an intense feeling. Do we have that hunger for righteousness? Seeking mercy and peace (vv 7-8), promoting these qualities are some of the culminating goals of Christians. Once we know that mercy and peace offered by God, we are more able to pass that on to others and promote those feelings. Do we do that? Jesus ends this message with the hard words- you will be persecuted, you will be ridiculed, you will be hurt, you may even die (vv 10-12)! Consider yourself blessed when those happen to you. If those things happen to you, then you are upsetting the apple cart, attempting to change the status quo. Part of Jesus' philosophy was that the world has to change; the powers that are in control are not working for the good of all. In my opinion- I think that is still true today! I don't think we are ridiculed or persecuted or hurt; I don't know of anyone close to me that has died for the Gospel. But it does happen!

Jesus prompts his followers to be like salt and light (vv 13-16). Salt was a precious commodity; Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, giving us the phrase "worth his salt." Salt is a preservative and use as a flavoring. We are to be like that, precious, flavoring the world with goodness and kindness and preserving the qualities of peace and grace. Are we worth our salt? To be light for the world is a great responsibility. We are to turn those dark corners into light, we are to rid the darkness from the world, to get the evil out. It is interesting to read; Jesus said You are the light..." (v 14). He never said we could be, he said we are! We don't have an out here! The world is rotting and decaying- as salt- we need to preserve what is left; the world is covered with darkness- we need to fill it with light!

Jesus begins a long discussion on the law (vv 17- 20). His commentary, Like Paul's that we have talked about before, is that Jesus doesn't destroy the law. They are important and will always be important. Jesus came to make us free from the law (contrary to what the Pharisees and Sadducees were saying). Jesus challenged the interpretation of the law (especially laws of  the Sabbath)- but never broke the laws. The commandments are critical for life to function (v19-20). Those re to be followed and taught to all. When I think of the commandments- no killing, no stealing, no cheating, honor parents, etc...it makes sense. If we follow them, then the rest will fall into place!

Jesus goes on to do some explaining of some of the laws- not in opposition to Moses, but to show where we have fallen short. The common thought of the day was that murder was wrong (vv 21- 22), but anything short of murder was acceptable. Jesus says no! We need to get along is essentially the message he tells us here. Yah, murder is wrong, but so is anger and hate! Don't call people names, don't do harm, just get along! Jesus considers reconciliation more important than religious obligation (vv 23- 24). Partially, if your upset with someone or angry, then your offering to God isn't really an offering that you are "conscious" of...you are just going through the motions. How can you offer something to God with ate or anger on your heart.  Reconcile first, clear you mind, then you will be in a position to seek God. 

Jesus tackles sexual sin now (vv 27-30). The teaching of the day was the action of adultery was bad, but thoughts were "OK" Jesus is correcting the people saying that even the thoughts are wrong. One can commit adultery in the heart as well as in the body. 

Regarding divorce (vv 31-32), Jesus clarifies the common thought that divorce could happen over anything at anytime. Jesus says that the only acceptable grounds for divorce is adultery by the woman (doesn't say anything about the man!). In my opinion- divorce is OK for several reasons (other than adultery). I think one problem we run into is that marriage is so easy to do that people get caught up in marriage before they realize who their partner is! We don't really have any "marriage classes" or mechanisms to have people really now who they are and who their partners are!

Some great words from Jesus (vv 33-37): Yes means yes, no means no. If you swear an oath then you use God's name. If you break that promise, then you break a promise to God! Tell the truth, be honest about your abilities and desires. If you can't or don't want to do something- just say no! Don't promise and then not do it!

Jesus calls into question some of the other thoughts of the time. The "eye for an eye" concept is in Hammurabi's Code (a set of laws discovered in 1900, written late 1700 BC; Exodus was written 1400-ish BC). Jesus is telling us to let God take care of the offender- no retaliation. Can we do that? Don't we like retaliation?! Jesus was a great model for no retaliation! A few finer points of these words too. People would traditionally slap with their right hand; if you you turned your cheek, then they would have to slap with their left hand. Slapping with "the other hand" meant to slap someone with your hand that you would do your "bathroom business" with. That was just a wrong- nobody ever did that! Under Mosaic law, you could never take away someone's cloak- so to give your cloak to someone who sued for your tunic would insult them more than you. And finally, under Roman law, a person could be commanded to haul a guard's pack for one mile- and only one mile. So, again, to walk an extra mile was something that was illegal for the other person. 

The closing words of this chapter (vv 43- 48) are the whole some of the Gospel message and a true characteristic of Christians- love all people. Period! Not sue what else to say about this! CAn we do that- love all people?

That's all I have for today. We are going to start packing and getting things ready. I hope to be back on tomorrow, but, like I said, not sure about internet access at State Park. I will do my best.

Have a great day!

Shalom+
Pastor Paul