Matthew 5 Bible Study Sharing
[Matthew 5 Bible Study Sharing Table of Contents:]
I. Background to the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-2).
II, The Heavenly Life of the Eight Blessings: (Mt. 5:3-12).
III. Being salt and light is the witnessing mission of Jesus' disciples (Mt 5:13-16).
VI, Jesus calls for a deeper righteousness (Mt 5:17-20).
V, Jesus fulfills the law (Mt 5:21-48).
1, On anger: (Mt 5:21-26); 2, On adultery: (Mt 5:27-30); 3, On repudiation: (Mt 5:31-32); 4, On oaths: (Mt 5:33-37); 5, On vengeance: (Mt 5:38-42); 6, On love of enemies: (Mt 5:43-48)
I. Background of the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-2)
(1) Scripture: "And when Jesus saw the multitude, he went up into a mountain; and when he had sat down, his disciples came to him, 2 and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,"
(2) Note: [1 Up the mountain] The Bible does not specify, but tradition has it that Jesus preached on the Mount of Beatitudes, a hill in the northwest part of Capernaum. (The Catholic Church has built the "Church of the Beatitudes" to commemorate the Lord's preaching of the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.) 2They] are the apostles, disciples, and followers of the Lord Jesus.
(3) Sharing:
Jesus preached on this site, with a wide view and quietness suitable for preaching, close to the lake but above the terrain for group gathering and sonic transmission. Many of the apostles and disciples were from Galilee (Peter, Andrew, James, John, etc.) and the audience was extremely familiar with the land.
The Lord Jesus is the one and only true God, holding supreme authority and infinite love, and proclaiming to all mankind the charter of the eternal kingdom, the statutes of the new spiritual life.
II, The Heavenly Life of the Eight Blessings: (Mt 5:3-12)
(1) Scripture: "3 Blessed are the vain! For the kingdom of heaven is theirs.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 inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness! Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the compassionate! Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.9 Blessed are the meek! For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God! For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake! Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you if men revile you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for you shall see God! 12 Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. So did men persecute the prophets who were before you."
(2) Notes: [A man of modest heart] "Modesty" means "poverty of heart", i.e., admitting one's spiritual bankruptcy and inability to save oneself, and relying solely on the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus; [A man who mourns] Sorrow and weeping because of one's own sins, because of the sinking of the world, and because of the life that is far away from God. Those who mourn and weep because of their own sins, because of the world's sinking, and because of a life far away from God, and such sorrow leads to repentance and comfort; [The meek and the meek] meekness is not weakness, but meekness and humility in the heart, obedience before God, and not striving or exalting oneself before men, imitating the meekness of Christ (Mt. 11:29). Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness] pursue the righteousness of God, the righteous life, the holy life, and the righteousness of the Lord Jesus, are not satisfied with outward behavior, and long for the spiritual life to be in harmony with God; [Those who are compassionate] show mercy to others because they have received the Lord's mercy. Mercy is not an emotion, but an initiative to help the needy; [Those who have a clear heart] "Clear" means single and unadulterated. A pure heart is a heart that pursues the Lord alone, without idols or pretenses; [One who reconciles people] not only resolves conflicts between people, but also leads people back to God and reconciles them with Him; [One who is persecuted for the sake of righteousness] the resistance we encounter when we follow the truth, preach the gospel, and act righteously for the Lord shows that we are not of the world.
(3) Sharing.
The "eight blessings" are the true identity and life direction of the disciples of the Kingdom of Heaven; the Lord Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Heaven and the fulfillment of the eight blessings.
To reveal the nature of the life of a heavenly disciple, the state of life in union with the Lord Jesus. It is a natural outflow of the heavenly life for the believer to recognize that he is born again of the Lord, and therefore has been blessed in the Lord (Eph. 1:3), and that it is a natural result of the disciple's salvation to live the life of Christ.
Disciples are encouraged to be faithful to the Kingdom way of life and to keep the faith even when persecuted. The last of the eight blessings specifically mentions "persecution for righteousness", which is a realistic response to the previous seven blessings: the world does not accept these qualities, but God says, "Blessed are you"; encouraging the disciple not to be afraid of being rejected by the world, but to be faithful in living out his heavenly identity. Jesus' promise that "great is the reward in heaven" (Mt 5:12) is an affirmation of spiritual fidelity.
The eight blessings overturn the world's definition of "blessedness": The world seeks wealth, status, and comfort, but Jesus points out that true blessedness is to be in God's presence, to be reconciled to God, and to live in God's will. The disciples were to move from "worldly success" to "heavenly blessing" and see what God considers a "blessed man".
Call the disciples to follow the example of the Lord Jesus and bear witness to the kingdom of heaven: Jesus Himself is the "embodiment of the eight blessings" - He is the most humble, the most mournful, the most pure-hearted, and the most persecuted. To lead the disciples to imitate Jesus, to be born again, and to live like Him. To bring glory to God for our good works (Mt 5:16). Disciples who live out these qualities are "salt and light", witnesses to the truth of the Lord. It is the disciple's spiritual light to the world, the fruit of the Lord's grace in the disciple's life.
In the New Testament, examples of the disciples' witness to the Eightfold Blessing of the Lord Jesus:
1, Peter: the transformation that makes one vain:
*[Repenting with a humble heart]: After denying the Lord three times, Peter wept bitterly and repented of his weakness, reflecting the realization of his spiritual poverty (Gal. 22:61-62); **[Bringing harmony]: On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and preached the gospel to the multitudes, leading 3,000 to repent and turn to the Lord, and promoting the harmony between man and God (Acts 2:14 -41)
2, Paul: for hunger and thirst for righteousness, and for the example of persecution:
* [Hunger and thirst for righteousness]: After meeting the Lord on the Damascus Road, Paul's life changed completely, and he became a vessel of the Lord, desiring to preach the gospel and to pursue the righteousness of God (Acts 9:1-22); ** [Persecution for righteousness]: While preaching in various places, Paul was subjected to many kinds of persecution, such as whipping, imprisonment, stoning, and so on, but he still insisted on preaching Christ (2 Cor. 11:23-27). -27)
3, John: A Testimony of Clean Heart and Love:
* :: [Cleansing of the heart]: John speaks of the disciple whom the Lord loves, emphasizing the Lord's love and truth, and pursuing an intimate relationship with God (Jn 13:23; 1Jn 4:7-21); [Mourning]: His heart is filled with sorrow as he sees the light of the church and the judgment of the last days in the book of Revelation, but he still communicates God's comfort and hope (Rev 1:9-20)
4, Philip: The zealous service of compassion and reconciliation:
*[Compassion for people]: Philip not only healed the sick, but also cared for their spiritual needs during his ministry in Samaria, leading many to faith in Christ (Acts 8:5-8). **[Reconciliation]: Philip obeyed the guidance of the Holy Spirit and preached the gospel to the eunuch of Ethiopia, which led to the salvation of this Gentile and the promotion of harmony among different nations (Acts 8:26-39).
5, Barnabas: an example of gentleness and making behind:
* Gentleness]: Barnabas was called the "Comforter", and under the Lord's teaching, he accepted Paul with gentleness and encouraged the brothers and sisters in the churches (Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-27), **[Reconciliation]: In the Antioch church, he taught the believers together with Paul, and promoted unity between Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11:22-26). , teaching the believers together with Paul and promoting unity between Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11:22-26)
The eight blessings are the essence of the life of a disciple in the kingdom of heaven. May we, in the grace of the Lord Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit, follow His example and live out these ["Eight Blessings of Life"], and be faithful witnesses of the Lord in this generation, and become the light and salt of the world.
Being salt and light is the witnessing mission of the Lord Jesus' disciples (Mt 5:13-16)
(1) Scripture: [13 You are the salt of the earth. If the salt has lost its flavor, how can you make it salty again? It will be of no use, but will be thrown out and trampled on. 14 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 When a man lights a lamp, he does not put it under a bucket, but on a lampstand, and it enlightens the household. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that, when they see your good works, they may give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(2) Notes: [Salt of the earth] "Salt" is often used as a metaphor for the grace of wisdom and speech (Col 4:6); [If one loses one's taste] "To lose one's taste" in the original Greek means to "become foolish and useless"; a disciple of the Lord loses his influence if he loses his holiness and truthfulness. "If a disciple of the Lord loses his holiness and truthfulness, he loses his influence. The light of the world] represents truth, holiness and life from God (Jn 1:4-9), and refers to the testimony of the life of the people of the Kingdom manifested through their works.
(3) Sharing:
1. "You are the salt of the earth." (Mt 5:13)
The Lord declared: "You are the salt of the earth", not "you ought to be", which is an identity already given. The disciple of the Lord has an identity by virtue of his union with the Lord in Christ.
"The Functions of Salt": [Preservative effect]: In ancient times, salt inhibited corruption. Disciples should live out holiness, righteousness, and honesty in the midst of a corrupt generation, so that people will see righteousness because of your life; [Seasoning effect]: Salt also gives flavor to food. Disciples' words and deeds should make people thirsty for the true flavor of life, so that the world will be attracted to the kingdom of God because of your testimony.
"If it loses its flavor" means that the disciple loses his holiness and authenticity and becomes compromised and worldly. Such "salt" is not only ineffective, but can become a disgrace to the name of Christ (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
We must be continually connected to the Lord and obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to maintain the "savor of salt". Apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
2. "You are the light of the world." (Mt 5:14-16)
"The Meaning of Light": In the Bible, light represents truth, righteousness, divine revelation and holy life (Jn 1:4-9) The Lord Jesus Himself declared, "I am the light of the world" (Jn 8:12). Thus we become light because His light is in us (Eph. 5:8).
"The Manifestation of Light": [It is impossible to hide]: It is impossible for a disciple who lives out the Lord's life in truth not to be seen by men - it is not to exalt oneself and reveal the glory of the Lord; [Shining on one's own initiative]: The Lord's command: "In like manner also Shine before men": this is not to passively wait for people to find out, but to actively shine, to take the initiative to reveal the true testimony of Christ's life, so that people will glorify God because of our good deeds.
The purpose of the initiative to shine is not to glorify oneself, but "that, when they see your good works, they may give glory to your Father who is in heaven." The Lord Jesus said, "If anyone sees Me, he sees the Father" (Jn 14:9). (Jn 14:9) - Likewise, if people see us, they should be able to see Jesus' likeness and give glory to the Father.
Being "salt and light" is the identity and mission given by the Lord Jesus. It is through the Lord's presence and illumination that we live out His life. Only by remaining in the Lord Jesus and letting His light illuminate us can we become salt and light in the world and be true witnesses of the Lord in the last days.
Jesus calls for a deeper righteousness (Mt 5:17-20)
(1),Scripture: [17 Think not that I am come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, even if heaven and earth are abolished, not one jot or one tittle of the law will be abolished, but all will be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least of these commandments, and shall teach men to do so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whosoever shall keep this commandment, and teach men to do it, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven:]
(2),Note: [Abolish] demolish, corrupt; the Lord explicitly denied that He came to abolish the Law; [fulfill] realize, fulfill, fill up, make complete; not simply to carry out the outward appearance of the Law, but the Lord reveals and lives out the spiritual substance and ultimate purpose of the Law; [the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees] refers to the fact that they apparently practiced the rules of the Christian faith (Mt 7:22); but essentially did not abide by the Lord's teachings, "but were filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Mt 23:28); "they were filled with false goodness and lawlessness" (Mt 23:28). The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees] meant that they outwardly practiced "the Christian faith" (Mt. 7:22); but in essence they did not abide by the Lord's teaching, "but were filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Mt. 23:28), and were unable to satisfy God's desire to worship "in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24). 24).
(3), Share:
1, Jesus solemnly declared that He did not come to abolish the law: "I have come to fulfill it".
Jesus declared that the greatest commandment is: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest of the commandments. The second is similar, to love your neighbor as yourself. These two commandments are the general outline of all the truths of the Law and the Prophets." (Mt 22:37-40)
Jesus gave new life to the Ten Commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" comprises the first four of the Ten Commandments; "Love your neighbor as yourself" comprises the last six of the Ten Commandments.
How did the Lord "fulfill" the law?
The Lord lived out the true righteousness of the law in His own perfect obedience and holy life (Rom. 8:3-4); He set the example for us by being the only one who kept the law perfectly.
The Lord accomplished atoning righteousness by the cross in place of man's unattainable legal righteousness (Gal. 3:13); we are justified by God through faith in His salvation.
The Lord revealed God's loving intention behind the law, so that people could move from the words of the law to the true spiritual meaning. To realize that God established the law to lead us into a more abundant life. (John 5:39)
2. The standard of the Kingdom is not the letter of the law, but obedience and the reality of life (Mt 5:18-19)
The Lord emphasized, "Not one jot or one tittle of the law shall be abolished, but all shall be fulfilled." --God's standard is never lowered, and it is only in the Lord Jesus that it can be perfected.
Who are called "the least of these"? It is those who despise the authority of God's Word, modify or compromise the truth as they please, and teach men to do so.
Who are called "great in the kingdom of heaven"? It is those who fear God, who truly obey His Word, who testify with their lives to His will and teach others to do it (Jas. 1:22-25).
This is not justification by works, but reveals whether or not a "man of God" is truly living in Christ, sustained by the life of the Lord. Works are the fruit of faith (Jas 2:17) and are not a condition of salvation, but reveal the reality of salvation.
3. The righteousness of the disciples must prevail over the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 5:20)
The scribes and Pharisees justified themselves by their strict adherence to the law and traditions, but the Lord exposed them as outwardly godly, but inwardly far from God (Mt 23:25-28). Their righteousness was "visible religious behavior", but lacked true repentance and trust.
The Lord Jesus pointed out, "Unless your righteousness exceeds theirs, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." This assertion shocked the audience at that time and reminds us today that true righteousness is not superficial behavior, but the righteousness of the heart that obeys the Lord and lives by Him.
V. The fulfillment of the law by the Lord Jesus (Mt 5:21-48)
(1) Scripture: On Anger: [21 "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not murder,' and, 'Whoever murders shall not avoid judgment.'" 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother shall in no wise be judged: and whosoever shall call his brother Ragah shall in no wise be judged by the Sanhedrin; and whosoever shall call his brother Molech shall in no wise be punished with the fire of hell. 23 If therefore, when thou offerest thy gift upon the altar, thou rememberest that thy brother hath a grudge against thee, 24 leave thy gift before the altar, and go first to make peace with thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 But if you are still on the way with your adversary who is accusing you, make haste to make peace with him, lest he deliver you to the judges, and the judges deliver you to the magistrates, and you go into prison. 26 For verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt not come out of it, if thou hast not paid a penny. [27 You have heard that it was said, "Do not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you, whoever looks at a woman and lusts after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away, rather than lose one of your hundred bodies, or your whole body to hell. 30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it away: it is better for thee to lose one of thy hundred bodies, than to cast thy whole body into hell. On repudiating one's wife: [31 Again, it is said, 'If a man repudiates his wife, let him give her a letter of repudiation.' 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall repudiate his wife, except for the cause of fornication, causeth her to be an adulteress: and if any man shall marry her that is repudiated, he committeth adultery. On oaths: [33 And you have heard that it was commanded to the ancients, saying, 'Do not break your oaths, but keep your oaths to the Lord'. 34 But I say unto you, Swear by nothing. Do not swear by heaven, for it is God's seat; 35 do not swear by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the capital of the great King; 36 and do not swear by your head, for you can't make a single hair black or white. 37 If ye speak, yea, say yea; and if ye speak not, say ye nay: if ye speak any more, it is of him that is evil:] ; on retaliation: [38 You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, do not fight against the evil one. If a man strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the left also; 40 if a man wants to sue you and take your inner garment, let him have your outer garment also; 41 if a man forces you to go one mile, go with him two; 42 if a man asks you, give to him; and if a man asks you for a loan, do not let him refuse it; 42 if a man asks you, give to him; and if a man asks you for a loan, do not let him refuse it; 43 but if a man asks you, do not let him refuse it. On loving one's enemies: [43 You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."] [44 But I say to you, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. 45 That you may be sons of your heavenly Father; for he makes the sun shine on the good and on the evil, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you alone, what reward have you? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 But if ye desire the peace of your brethren only, what advantage have ye over men? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.]
(2) Note: "Rage" means to lose one's temper, but it also means to harbor in one's heart a persistent, unjust anger, resentment, or hatred; "Raca" is an Aramaic word meaning "empty," "useless," "stupid," "idiot," and is intended to insult the character and intelligence of the other person; "Sanhedrin" means the highest religious court of the Jews, which has the power to judge and pass judgment on capital crimes. Raca" is an Aramaic word meaning "empty," "useless," "stupid," or "idiot," and is intended to insult the character and intelligence of the other person; "Sanhedrin" is the supreme religious court of the Jews, which had the power to try and condemn capital offenses. (But execution required the approval of the Roman governor.) [Moreh] is a Greek word meaning "foolish", "treacherous", "rebellious", "faithless"; [Gehenna]: refers to the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), a valley outside of Jerusalem, where garbage and the bodies of criminals were burned, and where fires were kept going all year round, and which was used to symbolize the Final Judgment. It was used to symbolize the final judgment and eternal punishment, i.e., hell. Lustful Thoughts: Lustful thoughts usually refer to unhealthy, excessive, or inappropriate sexual thoughts or desires. [Pluck out the eyes: It means to cure the body of wickedness by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13), that is, to cure the sinful members of the earth (Col. 3:5)]. [Cut off the hand: meaning not to offer the limb as an instrument of unrighteousness to sin (Rom. 6:13). [Repudiation]: a right of a husband to unilaterally dissolve a marriage. "If a man, after he hath taken a wife, shall see any thing in her that is not agreeable unto him, and shall not delight in her, he may write a letter of repudiation, and deliver it into her hand, and send her away from her husband's house." (Deut. 24:1); Islam; a husband can dissolve a marriage by saying to his wife "You are repudiated" three times in a row ("Talaq"). Ancient China: "seven out": there are seven reasons for a husband to repudiate his wife, including filial disobedience to in-laws, childlessness, lechery, jealousy, malignant diseases, verbosity, and theft; "three do not go": even if the wife has committed some of the seven out, the husband can repudiate her; "three do not go": even if the wife has committed some of the seven out, the husband can repudiate her. "three go": refers to even if the wife is guilty of "seven out of certain circumstances, the husband can not repudiate the wife: A have married nothing to return to: the wife does not have a mother's home to return to; B and more three years of mourning: the wife has been mourning for three years for the in-laws; C before the poor and poor after the rich and powerful: the husband married his wife poor, and later rich and powerful. (Tang Law Review). [Recite an oath]: to go against the oath one has taken, to swear falsely, to swear falsely; [swear]: to swear means to swear or to take an oath. When you solemnly promise something, or make a solemn pledge in order to prove the truth of something, it is swearing. For example, "The witness swore in court that everything he said was the truth." [An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth]: the law allows one to seek justice, that is, to return an equal degree of vengeance for ill treatment inflicted upon another, the purpose being to stop casual aggression against a person. (Ex 21:24; Deut 19:21) [Give to those who ask you, and do not refuse to lend to those who borrow from you]: Possessions are the most powerful things that can dominate the heart (Mt 6:21). The Lord wants our hearts to be able to transcend and not be overrun by money.
(3) Sharing:
Jesus not only focuses on outward behavior, but also penetrates deeply into the inner motives and thoughts that give rise to it; nipping sin in the bud, and strictly demanding that believers
On Being Angry: (Mt 5:21-26)
Jesus teaches us that "to be angry, to curse Ragab, to curse Molech" are the main sources of the idea of "Thou shalt not kill".
For some reason, 1) harboring resentment and grudges against another person, while inwardly being indignant. Holding a grudge for a long time and unwilling to forgive. To have evil thoughts or enmity in one's mind toward others; 2) to disparage or ridicule others to their faces or behind their backs, aiming to injure their self-esteem and reputation; 3) to attack the character of others in the most vicious and insulting terms, and to curse them viciously.
There are so many examples we have seen and heard and experienced in these sinful and disobedient times, and the lessons are so great
Negative warnings of instances in the Bible:
1) Cain and Abel (Genesis 4): This is the classic example. Cain was jealous that Abel's sacrifice was pleasing to God, and he was so angry that he killed Abel. This is a direct corroboration of Jesus' statement that anger and jealousy are the root causes of killing.
(2) Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-33): Though no killing ultimately took place, Jacob deceived Esau into taking the title and blessing of the firstborn son, resulting in a murderous intent on Esau's part that prevented him from forgiving Jacob for many years. As a result, Jacob went into exile for a long time and suffered the consequences of his deception. This episode of jealousy, deceit, and anger between brothers demonstrates the chain reaction of sin and the difficulty and importance of reconciliation.
3) King Saul's Jealousy of David (1 Samuel 18 and following): David was loved by the people because of his outstanding achievements in battle. King Saul was therefore jealous of him and made several attempts to kill David. Saul's anger and jealousy caused him to lose his mind, and instead of doing his duty as a king, he pursued and tried to kill an innocent man, which eventually led to his own tragic end.
(4) King Ahab and Queen Jezebel coveted Nabal's vineyard (1 Kings 21): King Ahab was depressed because he was jealous of Nabal's unwillingness to sell his land, and Queen Jezebel, in order to satisfy her husband's covetousness, devised to frame and kill Nabal so as to seize his vineyard. Here greed is intertwined with anger and jealousy, leading to murder.
The Lord's commandment "Thou shalt not kill" can only be truly obeyed if one truly eliminates the root causes of sin such as anger and jealousy in the heart. What leads to the act of killing is often the anger, jealousy, hatred, greed, and resentment that grows deep within the heart. If these negative emotions are not eliminated at the source, even if one does not kill outwardly, one may have already committed a sin inwardly.
Jesus did not want to abolish the law, but to fulfill it and raise its demands to a higher dimension. The Lord wants us to be holy as a whole person (including thoughts, feelings, will and behavior). The disciples could not truly carry out the Law without the "eight blessings" of Jesus' inner purity.
On Adultery: (Mt 5:27-30)
Lustful thoughts are a transgression of the boundaries set by God in the heart, a submission to the lusts of the flesh. Lust is the "seed" and behavior is the "fruit". Jesus' teaching reminds us that to cure the root cause, we must deal with sin at its source - that is, the lusts of the heart.
Excessive attention and reverie to the body parts of the opposite sex, seeing the other person as an object to satisfy one's lust. Repeatedly recalling it and keeping it in one's mind for a long time, and accompanied by the growth of lust, then it has developed into lustful thoughts. It causes one to constantly weave in one's mind scenes and fantasies related to lewdness. Lustful thoughts often do not exist in isolation. It may be accompanied by other sins such as jealousy (when the object belongs to someone else), greed (the desire to have something that does not belong to one's self), deception (lying in order to hide or fulfill the lustful thought), or even hatred (turning into resentment when the lustful thought cannot be fulfilled).
Kinky Thoughts Bible Warning Cases:
David, who failed to control his lustful thoughts:] King David, who saw Bathsheba bathing in the flat roof of the palace and was moved by lustful thoughts, failed to stop them in time, which led to his committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband Uriah in order to cover up the crime; this series of sins brought about God's severe discipline, which led to the continual sword fights in his family, the killing of flesh and blood, and the turmoil of the kingdom (2 Samuel 11-18);
Samson, the teacher who was endowed by God with extraordinary power, repeatedly failed to overcome the lust of the flesh, and was seduced by the beauty of the Philistine women (especially Delilah), indulging in illicit relationships; he eventually revealed the secret of his power through the weakness of his lust, resulting in the plucking out of his eyes, the loss of his divine power, and the fall of his enemies as a prisoner and a laughingstock; although he ultimately perished with his enemies, his life could have been more glorious (Psalm 16); the truth is that the truth of the truth of the truth of the world is that the truth of the truth of the world is the truth of the world. could have been more glorious (Psalm 16);
Solomon the Idolater: King Solomon, in his later years, disobeyed God's command to multiply Gentile concubines and indulge in their lusts; these concubines tempted him to turn away from the LORD to follow and worship idols, which ultimately led to God's wrath, and after his death, the Kingdom of Israel was divided into two kingdoms, North and South (1 Kings 11), bringing an end to the glorious era of the United Kingdom.
Biblical warning cases show that lustful thoughts are terrible. If we completely cut off lustful thoughts, it is not something we can accomplish on our own. On his own, a man cannot eradicate the deepest sinful desires of his heart. Only through the salvation of Jesus Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit can we gain power over sin. Jesus' command to "pluck out the eyes and cut off the hands" is in fact a call to faith: trust in Christ and be willing to die to sin for Christ's sake. This is a profound repentance, which means that we no longer tolerate the slightest place for sin in our hearts.
On Repudiation: (Mt 5:31-32)
Jesus taught, "He who created man in the beginning created him male and female, and said, 'Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.'" Have you not read this scripture? In that case, husband and wife are no longer two persons, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate. " (Mt. 19:4-6)
(1) Marriage is a divine institution established by God Himself: "A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. "That is, the two become one before God, a new living entity. This "oneness" implies a profound unity of purpose, values, emotions, and even position before God. They form an indivisible whole.
(2) Marriage is a covenantal relationship, exclusive and permanent: "As such, husband and wife are no longer two, but one flesh" (Mt 19:6a). (Mt 19:6a): This is a reiteration and summary of the phrase "they have become one flesh". Now that they have become one, they can no longer be seen as separate individuals, but as a united whole. This oneness establishes the indissolubility of marriage. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate." (Matthew 19:6b): this is the central injunction of Jesus' teaching. Since marriage is a divine covenant with God's personal cooperation, man has no authority to separate it. The word "separate" here refers primarily to divorce. Jesus explicitly rejected the Jewish practice of repudiation at the time, emphasizing the lifelong nature of marriage.
According to the teaching of the Lord Jesus, "On the Repudiation of Wives," a clear provision is made:
(1) Stopping the trend of arbitrary repudiation of wives: at that time, wives could be repudiated at will, for a variety of reasons, even for the slightest fault. This was not only a blasphemy against the sanctity of marriage, but also a great injustice and harm to women. Jesus points out here that the Law of Moses permitted the writing of a letter of repudiation, not because it was pleasing to God to do so, but because of the "hardening of the hearts" of the people at that time.
(2) Restriction of men's power and protection of women: In response to the unfairness of marriage to the woman, Jesus declared that the man could not write a letter of repudiation at will, restricting the man's power in marriage; and that repudiation of a wife at will, except for the sake of "fornication", was not in accordance with God's will, and would lead to the sins of both the repudiator and the repudiatee. The repudiation of a wife at will, except for "fornication's sake," is against God's will and leads to sin for both the repudiator and the repudiated.
(3) The Christian faith today, in accordance with the teachings of the Lord Jesus, strictly adheres to the principle of the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage. The "cause of fornication" allowed by Jesus is an exception, but even in such cases, divorce is never desirable or encouraged, but is a consequence of sin and a protection for the innocent party. For the believer, since holiness should be pursued and fornication shunned, it is all the more important that the principle of the lifelong nature of marriage be upheld, and that the believer rely on God in his or her marriage to do everything possible to preserve and repair the relationship in order to glorify God's perfect will in marriage.
On taking vows: (Mt 5:33-37):
TIMELINE: Old Testament law (e.g., Leviticus 19:12, Deuteronomy 23:21-23) did require that the people take seriously the oaths they made to God and fulfill them faithfully. "Do not swear falsely by my name and blaspheme the name of your God. I am the LORD." (Un 19:12): the core of this scripture is to emphasize the seriousness of vows made to God and the responsibility to fulfill them. However, at the time of Jesus, a complex "system of vows" was developed that attempted to distinguish between "binding" vows and "non-binding" vows (Mt 23:16-22) as a means of avoiding some of these vows. 22) in order to avoid certain promises or to use oaths to increase the credibility of one's words. They may think that as long as they don't swear by God's name, or swear by something minor, they don't have to keep it completely. Thus, they avoid certain promises or use oaths to add credibility to their words without really taking responsibility for what they say.
Jesus' radical reversal and elevation: Jesus' teaching that the world should "swear by nothing" is a radical reversal and elevation of this old idea. The words of a person, especially a disciple, should be sufficiently honest and trustworthy in themselves, and need not be reinforced by oaths. Jesus enumerated some of the objects that were commonly used for swearing at that time and pointed out that they were all inextricably linked to God or His creation and sovereignty. To swear by heaven is to swear by God's seat; to swear by the earth is to swear by God's footstool; Jerusalem is God's holy city; and even your head, whose life and existence are completely under God's control. This shows that any form of swearing is ultimately pointing to God's sovereignty and His name. It is futile and hypocritical to try to circumvent one's responsibility to God by swearing by these secondary things.
The core and essence of Jesus' teaching is: "If you say yes, say yes; if you say no, say no; if you say any more, it is from the evil one." The Lord demands absolute sincerity and integrity from his disciples. This means that the inner truth of us believers should be completely consistent with our outward expression. The Lord Jesus taught, "If you speak much more, it is from the evil one" (Mt 5:37b)". "Saying more" here means more than a simple "yes" or "no", but swearing to emphasize or avoid responsibility, and Jesus points out that such attempts to manipulate or distort the truth by swearing are rooted in the fact that the truth is not the same as the truth, but rather in the fact that the truth is not the same as the truth. Jesus points out that this attempt to manipulate or distort the truth by swearing is rooted in "the evil one", i.e., Satan. Satan is the father of lies and tempts people to deception, pretense, and dishonesty. Jesus attributed this behavior to the works of the devil, indicating its serious spiritual consequences.
The relevance of the teachings of the Lord Jesus:
(1) Honesty and integrity: We believers should strive for honesty in our daily communication, not exaggerate, not promise things that cannot be realized, and not lie or mislead others in order to achieve our goals. Our "yes" means "yes" and our "no" means "no".
2), Credibility and Commitment:Our Christian commitments carry weight and our credibility is not subject to additional guarantees. This is vital in business, relationships and agreements of all kinds. Their words and deeds are in themselves a testimony to the faith.
(3) The correct understanding of "swearing": The Lord Jesus forbids the swearing of oaths in order to strengthen the credibility of daily speech, as well as the hypocritical behavior of trying to avoid responsibility through oaths. The acceptability of a lawful oath, taken in a court of law or at an inauguration, is intended to confirm the seriousness of truth-telling and to make one legally accountable before God. In this case, the person taking the oath is showing God that they will abide by the truth and the law . In contrast to the misuse of oaths to cover up dishonesty, which Jesus criticized, this kind of complete honesty is not only at the heart of Christian character, but it is also an important way for us to glorify God and others before the world.
On Retaliation: (Mt 5:38-42)
'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'" (Mt 5:38) This quote is from Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21. Old Testament Background The principle of Lex Talionis was not an encouragement of retaliation at that time, but rather a limitation of retaliation. Its purpose was to prevent excessive and unlimited retaliation, to ensure that punishment was commensurate with the offense, to maintain social justice, and to prevent the spread of blood feuds. It was not intended as an active exercise of retaliation, but rather as a guide to just compensation for damages in the justice system.
Jesus' teaching on retaliation reveals the deeper essence of the Law and its spiritual transcendence.
1) Jesus said: "But I say to you, do not fight against the evil one": the believer is to root out the idea of revenge in his heart, and not to "resist" the evil one in the same, violent, vengeful way.
2) Jesus said, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the left": not only do you not fight back, but you even voluntarily give up your right to defend your personal dignity. This is a kind of active, self-sacrificing love, aiming to dissolve hatred with love, and to touch each other with patience.
3) The Lord Jesus said, "Someone wants to sue you and take your inner garment, even your outer garment by him": rather, it emphasizes a spiritual freedom and generosity that transcends material loss. It is intended to show that our material possessions are despised, while the pursuit of righteousness and love is paramount.
4) The Lord Jesus said, "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two": it represents selfless sacrifice, giving beyond expectations, and the strategy of defusing oppression with love. Going the extra mile is a way of transforming forced behavior into a voluntary act of giving, which not only defuses hostility, but also sometimes leads to unexpected opportunities for communication and witness.
(5) The Lord Jesus said, "Give to him who asks you; and to him who lends to you, do not put it off": this is a summary of the preceding principle and an instruction for positive action. It teaches us to be proactive in responding to the needs of others, whether by giving or lending.
"Love thy neighbor as thyself" is the cornerstone of eliminating the cycle of retaliation: Jesus' teaching aims to break the cycle of retaliation that is so deeply entrenched in human society. Revenge only leads to more hatred and violence. Jesus is the example of salvation through the blood of the cross, and the defeat of sin through love. Let us always live in the love of Jesus.
On loving the enemy: (Mt 5:43-48)
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most shocking and subversive teachings of the Lord Jesus. It directly challenges the generally accepted ethics of the society of that time and reveals to us the unique pattern of life of the people of the Kingdom of God.
1). Jesus' Calling Beyond the Law (Mt 5:43-44)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Jesus cites a common idea in Old Testament law and Jewish tradition - "love your neighbor" derives from Leviticus 19:18, where it is often assumed that if the law requires love of neighbor, then its opposite implies that it is okay to hate the enemy.
The Lord Jesus directly corrected and transcended this limited understanding. Instead of abrogating the command to love your neighbor, he elevated it to an unprecedented level: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
It is more of a spiritual command. Why is it subversive? Because: 1) It is against created humanity to love our enemies. Our instinctive response is to hate those who hurt us. 2), praying for persecutors is even more extraordinary. We usually curse or retaliate against persecutors, but Jesus asks us to pray for them, for God's grace and change.
This is the distinctive mark of the people of the Lord Jesus, the thing that separates us from the unsaved world.
2). Imitation of the Father: Love beyond the world (Mt 5:45-47).
"So that you may be sons of your heavenly Father; for he causes the sun to shine on the good and on the evil, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. What reward is there for you if you love those who love you alone? Do not the tax collectors do the same? If ye ask your brother's peace alone, what advantage have ye over men? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?"
Jesus here provides the fundamental reason and motivation for loving "the enemy": to be sons of our Father and to imitate His perfection!
Father's example: God's love is universal and unconditional. He gives the life-sustaining gifts of sunshine and rain to the good and the bad, the righteous and the unrighteous alike. His grace is universal and does not favor anyone. If we are to be truly his children, we must live out this love that transcends human nature.
Worldly Contrast: Jesus contrasted "tax collectors" with "Gentiles". In Jewish society at that time, tax collectors were regarded as sinners and the dregs of society because of their cooperation with the Roman government, while Gentiles were those who did not know God and were unclean. Even they loved those who loved them and greeted their own kind. If this is the extent of Christian love, how are we different from the world? How can we have "strengths" or "rewards"?
The "reward" here is the character and spiritual richness of life that we receive by imitating God. When we live a love that transcends the world, we reveal the glory of God and prove that we are truly children of the Father.
The story of Joseph that demonstrates God's love (Gen 37-50). Joseph was envied, betrayed, and even killed by his brothers and eventually sold into slavery in Egypt. He experienced suffering, false accusations and imprisonment in Egypt. Common sense would dictate that when he later became the prime minister of Egypt, with great power in his hands, he was fully capable of taking revenge on those who had harmed him. However, when his brothers came to Egypt to ask for help due to famine, Joseph not only did not retaliate, but treated them with kindness, provided them with food, and eventually reconciled with them. He said, "Once upon a time you meant to do me harm, and you meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good, to preserve many lives" (Gen. 50:20). Joseph broke the cycle of hatred and overcame evil with good; living out the forgiveness and mercy of the Lord Jesus and the transcendent love of God, he lived out the essence of what God's people should be.
3) The devil is the real enemy:
"God is love" (I John 4:8,16) is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. God's love is one of His most central attributes. However, this does not mean that God is free from hate:
SEVEN THINGS THE LORD HATES: "Six are the things which the LORD hates, and seven in all, even those which are an abomination to his heart: the haughty eye, the lying tongue, the hand that sheds the blood of innocents, the heart that devises evil designs, the feet that run and do wickedly, the feet that spit out lying false witnesses, and he that spreads strife among his brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19) "The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight; and whosoever committeth iniquity thou hatest. Thou wilt destroy him that speaketh lies; and they that shed men's blood in deceit are an abomination unto the LORD." (Psalm 5:5-6)
As the Lord Jesus said, the devil is the father of liars, a murderer from the beginning, who is devoted to stealing, killing and destroying. (John 10:10)
As Jesus declared, "Therefore I say to you, all sins and blasphemies are forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is never forgiven. Whosoever shall speak against the Son, the same shall be forgiven him: but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Ghost, the same shall not be forgiven him in this world, neither in the world to come." (Mt 12:31-32)
"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" is when one sees the powerful works of the Holy Spirit and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, but out of deep malice and hardness of heart, one willfully blames the devil for the work of the Holy Spirit. This sin is the manifestation of a complete rejection of God's grace and salvation, and it is the ultimate choice of man to cut himself off completely from the truth and to stand with the devil. It was the Lord Jesus who said, "This saying is because they say, He is possessed by an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:30)
Judas is a tragic example of these "sons of perdition". As one of the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus, Judas spent a lot of time with the Lord and witnessed His teachings and miracles. However, he was blinded by greed, seduced by the devil, blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, and finally betrayed the Lord Jesus (John 6:70-71). His end was called "the son of perdition" (Jn 17:12).
Therefore, there is no contradiction between loving the "enemy" (those who are under the dominion of sin and the devil) and hating the "enemy" (the devil and sin itself). On the contrary, it is precisely because we hate sin and the devil that we love those who are blinded and enslaved by them all the more, in order to free them from the bondage of the enemy to truth and life. This is precisely to emulate God's kind of love-hate that is holy, righteous, and at the same time compassionate and redemptive. However, for those who ultimately choose to be enemies of God, blaspheme the Holy Spirit, and utterly reject salvation, righteous judgment will ultimately await them.
That is, the devil is our true enemy. If a created person blasphemes the Holy Spirit, betrays the Lord, takes sides with the devil, and is an enemy of God, he is not within the scope of love for the "enemy", as Judas, who betrayed the Lord Jesus, and whom the Lord Jesus declared to be the "son of perdition", is one of the "enemies". But whoever "blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, betrays the Lord, sides firmly with the devil, and is an enemy of God" will be determined by the judgment of the Lord Jesus in the last days.
3). Jesus' ultimate call: to be perfect as the Father (Mt 5:48).
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect."
The word "perfect" means flawless, faultless, complete, and accomplished; it refers specifically to the fact that God's nature is love, and that it is sacrificial, unconditional love.
Source of Spiritual Power: We cannot achieve this perfection in our own power, but we can rely on the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. It is when we recognize the real enemy as the devil and see that those who hurt us are in bondage to sin that we can love them by the grace of God.
Weapons of Prayer: Praying for our enemies is the most direct way we can love them. It doesn't just change their situation, it changes our own hearts.
Testimony of Life: When we live out this incredible love in the midst of a hate-filled world, we can be a living gospel that reveals God's glory and draws people to Christ.
May we all glorify the Lord's name by living out the Father's perfect love by the power of the Holy Spirit in the light of this passage!
[Discussion Questions]
Which of the eight blessings strikes you the most? Why? Have you experienced "persecution for righteousness" in your life so far? How have you dealt with it?
What do you think is the crisis that is most likely to be "out of flavor" for Christians today?
Why did the Lord Jesus emphasize that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it?
What does the Lord's teaching, "If righteousness does not prevail over the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees," mean for us today?
How does the Lord elevate the law to the "inner" level in His teachings on murder, adultery, swearing, revenge, etc.?
What is the most difficult part of practicing the Lord Jesus' command to "love your enemies"? How can we learn to love the real enemy, the devil, instead of hating people?
[Prayer]
Dear Lord, thank You that we searched Your Word-Matthew chapter five. Lord, we see how noble is Your call to us and how holy is Your standard.
Help us not only to be hearers of the word, but also to be doers of the word. Open our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly understand the true meaning of the Eight Blessings, that we may willingly become salt and light in the world, and live out Your love and righteousness.
Lord, we also recognize that Your teachings are often a great challenge for us, especially in the face of those who offend us, and ask You to give us the love and strength that comes from You, so that we may follow Your example of loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us.
May Your Word be as a light to illuminate our paths and guide us in Your will. May our lives be renewed and transformed by Your Word until we become more like You.
In the precious and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.