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Gripped By The Gospel-Matthew 5

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Here are some insights from Matthew chapter 5. 

Today we begin the Sermon on the Mount. Beginning with the Beatitudes it is difficult to imagine what Jesus is promising. In fact, just yesterday I had someone tell me that I was meek. Today I read Jesus’ words: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). So I have the earth coming to me…which is nice;) In all seriousness, it dawned on me that Jesus is promising some very incredible things. None is more incredible than Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This is amazing. It is also the very most defining purpose for human existence, to have intimate fellowship with the living and creating God. 

From here, Jesus goes on to claim that believers are like salt, a city on a hill, and a light/lamp. Salt preserves culture from decay. A city on a hill stands out and is noticeable. A lamp gives light in the midst of darkness. More specifically, Jesus is referring to the good works of believers, works that represent the kingdom and draw attention to God’s glory. Matthew 5 closes with a list of various spheres of life that will be radically impacted by a kingdom understanding. For instance, lust and anger isn’t defined merely by actions but the heart that motivate them. In God’s kingdom, identifying the motivations of the heart is a priority because God knows that the heart drives human behavior and forms the control center for an individual (the concept of the heart includes the mind and soul). 

Jesus has some very steep things to say about love. Individualistic Christians need to take note. In a culture that is driven by consumerism and the mentality “the customer is always right,” the concept of loving your enemies is completely foreign. Indeed, loving your enemies is foreign to any culture at any time. Sin has affected the minds of individuals to the core, leaving every human with the lasting impression that “it really is all about me.” When it comes to church, we often judge it’s acceptability on the basis of what it offers me and where it gives me what I determine I need. 

Jesus confronts this head on with some questions. He asks “for if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” And, “if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?” In other words, everybody is open to this kind of love but only Christians would seek to love people who are unlovely to us, for their benefit. 




Do you want to become a truly loving person? Be thoughtful about this. If you answer “yes” then Jesus’ regiment for you is to love your enemies and people you don’t necessarily want to be around. He is, after all, the Savior who died on the cross for his enemies. If you are saved by him, this is the love that defines you, and brings glory to your father in heaven. Are you motivated by pleasing him?
 

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