Blessed (Matthew 5:1-12)
(by Mike Flynn - Vicar)The audience that Jesus is talking to is important for
understanding his teaching. Some say that Jesus is speaking to his 12 disciples –
the problem with that being that his 12 disciples are not mentioned in Matthew
until chapter 10. It is more likely that the disciples mentioned in verse 1 are
drawn from the crowds that followed him (see 7:28-29 for confirmation of this)
- Read Matthew 4:23-25. Describe the people who made up the crowds that followed Jesus?
- It is a theme of the Bible that those who humble themselves before God will lift up (for example: Isaiah 57:14 and 66:2, Matthew 16:24-27). Does to be, “poor in spirit” before God mean that Jesus' followers are weak before people? Why does Jesus give the Kingdom of heaven to the poor in spirit, but not to those who would justify themselves in human terms (see 5:20)?
- To mourn in verse 4 is the consequence of being poor in spirit before God. When we become part of God's kingdom we grieve over the things that grieve God. What things cause God to mourn?
- The
Bible describes Jesus, Moses and David as meek (or humble) men (for
example: Numbers 12:1-3, Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus, in verse 5, is quoting
from Psalm 37:1-11 where kindness and justice towards others is the mark
of people who will inherit the land. Why are we tempted to think that the
bad guys (the rude, the forceful, the cruel) always win? Why are warriors like Moses and David considered meek even though they could stare down Kingdoms?
- In verse 6 to hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger to obey God like it is our food and drink; the stuff that sustains our existence. Do we starve to obey God? Do you think some Christians feel empty because they have given up on this hunger?
- Verse 7 shows that to strive for righteousness should not turn us into legalists. We are to strive for righteousness while knowing we fall short of it; knowing what is right and knowing that we we need mercy because we fail what is right. Why is it that a merciful person is someone who knows their own need for mercy? How do we hold the pursuit of right living and the need for mercy together?
- A pure, or clean, heart is the result in us of being the sort of person Jesus is describing; poor before God, grieved for what grieves God, kind & just to others, starving for righteousness yet knowing our own need of mercy and able to show mercy. The heart, thoughts, will of such a person is focused on pleasing God and the promise is that they shall see him. Do you want to see God? Why? Read 1 John 3:2-3.
- God is a peace maker and expects his children to be like him; however, at times peace making can be anything but peaceful (verses 9-11). Why would some people hate the sort of person Jesus has described so far in his Sermon? Read 2 Timothy 2:12.
Leo Tolstoy, the Russian novelist wrote: “Everyone talks of changing the world, but no one speaks of changing himself.” It is true that when we change we cause changes in the people around us; Jesus, in verses 13 to 16 says that the people who are blessed (verses 3 to 11) have an effect on the people around them.
- Is the teaching of Jesus only for individuals or also for society? Why?
- The salt that Jesus refers to is salt taken from mines not salt distilled from sea water. In mined salt there are many impurities and when it gets wet the chemical that makes it salty (Sodium Chloride) dissolves away leaving just the impurities (which, in the ancient world, was often used to fill up pot holes in the street). Salt was very valuable because it was used as a preservative, antiseptic and flavouring for food. How do people with the character Jesus has described stop the world from rotting, heal and cleanse wounds in this world and add flavour to life?
- We often forget how dark the night can become because we take electricity for granted. What does light do to the darkness? Why does Jesus describe the world as dark? Why are the sort of people Jesus describes light in a dark world?
- Should people who follow Jesus be involved in politics; art; science; farming or teaching? What difference will they make?
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