Metro Men’s World Ministry
Sabbath School Notes: April 19-25
Jesus and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount
Generally, when we think about the Sermon on the Mount we think about the Beatitudes. However, Jesus had
much to say about the Moral Law in this sermon as well. In fact, there is a close connection between the
Beatitudes and the Moral Law.
So let us take a walk through Matthew 5:1- 48, and see what lessons Jesus has for us.
Matthew 5:1
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:”
Jesus had just ordained the twelve disciples as the charter members of the early church. Jesus was now ready to
give His inaugural address in describing the conditions for citizenship in His everlasting kingdom. You might say,
this is like the constitution of His kingdom. And the mountain from which Jesus delivered this sermon would be
like the Mount Sinai of the New Testament. In the Old Testament, Mount Sinai was where God declared the Moral
Law of His kingdom. Now Jesus would magnify that Moral Law on this new mountain.
When it says, “he was set,” it means that He was ready to begin His teaching. Those who heard were His disciples,
others who followed Jesus (DA 488), peasants and fishermen who composed most of the crowd (DA 299), and
some spies (DA 307).
Matthew 5:2
“And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,”
From the very mouth of the Son of God comes the most important sermon ever preached. The thoughts that
Jesus shared are not isolated principles, but principles that indeed work together.
In the Beatitudes, Jesus sets forth the virtues that are necessary to be a citizen of heaven. As we will see, He
begins with being “poor in spirit.” You might say that humility is the foundation of being a citizen of God’s
everlasting kingdom. Without humility could we be “the salt of the earth”? Matthew 5:13. Without humility and
the other virtues mentioned in verses 3-12, could we be “the light of the world”? Matthew 5:14.
Let us take this a step further. In verses 17-47, Jesus will magnify the Moral Law. This section describes the
necessary conduct of every citizen of Christ’s kingdom. But there is a connection between the virtues of verses 312 and the keeping of the law in verses 17-47. If we do not have the humility of Jesus (verse 3), the meekness of
Jesus (verse 5), could we possibly keep God’s Ten Commandments?
Let us go even further. In verse 48, we have the ultimate goal of the Beatitudes and the Law, namely, we are to be
perfect even as our heavenly Father is perfect.
All the words of Jesus in chapter five are connected. So let us begin with the humility of Jesus.
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Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
I find it interesting that there are eight Beatitudes from verses 3-12. [Note that verses 11 and 12 are speaking
about the same Beatitude.] Now the number eight represents going from old to new. For example, how many
people were on Noah’s Ark going from an old world to a new world? Eight. In which millennium will God create a
new heaven and a new earth? The eighth. There will be six thousand years of sin, then the world will lie desolate
during the seventh millennium, and then in the eighth millennium God creates a new heaven and a new earth. So
here is God’s promise: If these eight virtues are in you, then you will go from living the old life of sin to living a
new life in Christ Jesus. But it all begins with humility to enter into His kingdom of grace.
Those who see themselves as “rich, and increased with goods” and are in “need of nothing,” will not hunger and
thirst for the righteousness that God offers to us in His Son. Revelation 3:17. It is those who are “poor in spirit,”
who know that there is no good in them that will reach out for divine help. You might say that our citizenship in
heaven begins when we see ourselves as “wretched, and miserable, and poor.” Revelation 3:17.
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
We begin by being “poor in spirit” realizing our spiritual poverty. As a result, we mourn that we do not have that
perfection of character that gives glory to God in all things. So often we have disappointed our Savior, but we
desire to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. It is when we mourn over our lack of character that we will
be comforted. God will not only forgive but cleanse. See 1 John 1:9
Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
By receiving the meekness of Christ we are now willing to submit to the entire will of God as expressed in His
Moral Law. But we will not receive the meekness of Christ without first being “poor in spirit,” and “mourning”
over our lack of Christlikeness.
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
Having received the forgiveness of God and the meekness of Christ, we do hunger and thirst to be like Jesus. He is
the “Bread of life.” John 6:26-59. If we hunger and thirst to be like Jesus, then it is evident that we have received
the Spirit in the forgiveness of our sins. The process of cleansing from sin has begun.
This verse also tells me that nothing else can satisfy the soul but the righteousness of Christ. Worldly wealth,
honor, and fame can never fill the hungering of the soul for God.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
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A life of merciful deeds towards others is evidence that we have been eating that heavenly Bread. In Matthew
25:31-46, kind deeds are presented as necessary for entrance into heaven. We cannot earn salvation through kind
deeds, but if there are no kind deeds, then it is evidence that there is no living faith in God.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
His desires now become our desires. His will becomes our will. In receiving Him, we receive His righteousness,
which is perfect obedience to the will of God. We are still tempted. We ourselves have not reached absolutely
sinlessness, but we press toward the mark of becoming like our Savior in all things. For this to be possible, our
hearts must be purified by the constant leading of the Holy Spirit and our daily surrender to the will of God.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
It is now our desire to bring others into reconciliation with God. Hence, we will not create any unnecessary
conflict with others. We will, by God’s grace, minister to their needs that we might find a way to the heart. We are
now fishers of men.
Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are
ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you.”
If you are a citizen of heaven, then you can expect tribulation in this fallen world. You will experience persecution
for simply choosing to live a holy life in Christ. “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2
Timothy 3:12.
But can rejoice in all these trials because we see the hand of God in our life. He will never disappoint us nor
forsake us. In every trial we may become “better” and not “bitter.” We may become more loving, more patience,
more forgiving, and more understanding. We claim this promise, “And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans
8:29.
Salt and Light
Matthew 5:13
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Now that you have received these virtues in verses 3-12, you are to exert a preserving power in the world against
corruption. As salt was used to preserve food from spoiling, Christians are to have a purifying effect on others.
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But if your lose the humility and meekness of Christ, if you no longer hunger and thirst for righteousness, if you
are no longer merciful and fail to be a peacemakers, then you will lose your saltiness, and have become “good for
nothing.” The only way to keep from losing your saltiness is to continue to hunger and thirst to be like Jesus. Then
you will continue to walk in the Spirit and remain as a purifying influence in the world.
Matthew 5:14-16
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Jesus is the light of the world. John 8:12; 9:5. We are to reflect His light of love. We are to “arise, shine” in this
ever darkening world. Isaiah 60:1-3. We are to take the light of God’s Word which will serve as a “lamp unto our
feet.” Psalm 119:105. God’s Word will never lead us astray, but it’s rays shows us the path of righteousness. With
the Word hid in our hearts, we are to let the light of God’s Word shine through us. The power of God’s Word will
be seen in good works that bring glory and honor to the God.
The evidence that the Word has changed us will be seen in a changed life. Such a life will manifest the life of God’s
dear Son.
The Law
Matthew 5:17-20
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I
say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called
the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
In this section on the law, Jesus refers to both the Moral Law (vs 21, 27), and the laws of Moses (vs 33, 38, 43). He
contrasts His view of the law with that of the Pharisees. Jesus view of the law magnifies it. The Pharisees view of
the law destroys it.
From Christ’s perspective the evidence of obedience to God’s law is a changed life. Such a life is described in the
Beatitudes (vs 3-12). It will be seen in a life that radiates the righteousness of God, which gives that beautiful life
its saltiness (vs 13-16).
Christ came not only to magnify the law by His words, but by His life. He truly was the perfect fulfillment of the
Moral Law. And because He perfectly kept the law, the righteousness of the law might now be fulfilled in us. See
Romans 8:3, 4.
So highly did Jesus exalt the Law that He clearly declares that those who teach others to break even one precept
will not enter into the kingdom of God. Not one “jot” or “tittle” shall pass from the law. It is permanent.
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The righteousness by works program set up by the Pharisees did not prepare anyone to live in heaven. It was a
works program that tried to perform ritualistic good works to outweigh their bad ones. Jesus tells His disciples and
those gathered that such works of the law are useless.
The evidence of true obedience of the Moral Law will be seen in the virtues enumerated in the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:21, 22
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger
of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger
of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever
shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Because most of those in the crowd are peasants, farmers, and fishermen, Jesus says to them, “Ye have heard.”
Because these men were not among the learner Rabbi, they had only heard the law spoken. What did they hear?
They heard that a man would face prosecution if he intentional murdered anyone.
But Jesus tells the listening crowd that the Moral Law goes well beyond the outward act. Jesus teaches them that
murder is the fruit of anger. Jesus is not only looking at the fruit, but the root of the problem. More than this, you
should not even call someone a “fool.” We are not to cast contempt upon others.
What about righteous indignation? At no time are we to hate sinners, but we can and should hate sin. There can
be a clear righteous indignation against that which casts dishonor upon God’s name, and that which brings harm
to those who are innocent.
Now consider these inspired words concerning the sixth commandment. “All acts of injustice that tend to shorten
life; the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others,
or causes us even to wish them harm (for "whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer"); a selfish neglect of
caring for the needy or suffering; all self-indulgence or unnecessary deprivation or excessive labor that tends to
injure health--all these are, to a greater or less degree, violations of the sixth commandment.” PP 308
Matthew 5:23-26
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer
thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto
thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”
Here Jesus teaches that reconciliation is more important than offering a sacrifice. One must wonder how many
thousands of sacrifices were offered to seek forgiveness from God, while the individual still harbored bitterness
towards someone else.
Jesus is by no means lowering the sacrificial service of offering a gift to God. On the contrary, Jesus is magnifying
such a gift by making sure we become a living sacrifice whereby we seek peace with both God and man. The basis
of the Ten Commandments is love for God and man. See Matthew 22:37-40.
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Matthew 5:27, 28
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Here Jesus refers to the seventh commandment and takes the listener beyond the outward act. Anyone who lusts
after a woman in his heart has committed adultery in the eyes of God. Jesus’ use of the word “lust” would
logically bring in the tenth commandment as well. For to “covet” is to desire. Coveting is not committing the
outward act of adultery, but it could lead to the outward act. So Jesus is teaching us that anything that would tend
to lead us to an immoral act is considered a violation of the seventh commandment.
Consider these inspired words. “This commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts and
desires, or any practice that tends to excite them. Purity is demanded not only in the outward life but in the secret
intents and emotions of the heart. Christ, who taught the far-reaching obligation of the law of God, declared the
evil thought or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful deed.” PP 308
Matthew 5:29, 30
“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy
members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee,
cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that
thy whole body should be cast into hell.”
Paul had warned against making provision for the flesh. See Romans 13:14. In a similar way, Jesus is warning us
not to look at things or listen to things that would prompt us to desire that which is forbidden. We are often
tempted through our senses. If you close the door to look upon that which is forbidden, then you have guarded
yourself against unnecessary temptation. Be blind to immoral literature and presentations. In so doing, you are
symbolically plucking out your eye.
Jesus is of course not endorsing bodily mutilation. Rather, He is encouraging us to cut off from view those things
that would unnecessary tempt us. If your weakness is immorality, violence, and crude jesting on television, it
would be best to get rid of the television than to fall short of eternal salvation.
Matthew 5:31, 32
“It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto
you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery:
and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”
Some rabbis were very liberal on the issue of divorce. Some taught that you could divorce your wife if she burnt
your meal. Others taught that some form of indecent behavior needed to take place before any divorce
proceedings. But Jesus made it plain that divorce could only be on the basis of marital infidelity. So in this clear
example, who was destroying the law, Jesus or the Pharisees? Clearly it was the Pharisees that were lowering the
standard of God’s Moral Law.
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In God’s original plan, husband and wife were to always be one. See Genesis 2:24. Through Moses, God made an
exception for divorce due to the hardness of men’s hearts—that exception was in cases where the physical act of
adultery had taken place. See Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
Even in our fallen world, the home environment can be a taste of heaven. In the home the power of the gospel is
to be acted out in many kind words and deeds.
Matthew 5:33-37
“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt
perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou
swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea,
yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
When a man takes the judicial oath it implies that he is more likely to tell the truth in a court of law than outside
the court. But the Christian must always tell the truth. We should be known for keeping our word.
While the judicial oath in a court of law is not forbidden, we should not be swearing by God’s name, or God’s
throne, or by the earth. And to swear by your own head is just ridiculous.
Matthew 5:38-42
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist
not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue
thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a
mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou
away.”
The Bible never encouraged revenge. “An eye for an eye” would be determined by a court of law. But we are not
to return evil for evil, but good for evil. As Paul wrote, we are to “overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21. During
the unjust trials against Jesus, He never asserted His rights, rather He patiently endured insult, ridicule, and abuse.
Rather than overcoming Rome with military force, Jesus told His hearers to be willing to carry a load two miles
even if they ask you to carry it for one. We are to be willing to submit to authority as long as it does not interfere
with our loyalty to God.
Matthew 5:43-47
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you,
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love
them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren
only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?”
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The Bible never taught us to hate anyone. What Jesus is saying, “The law teaches you to love your neighbor, but I
say unto you to also love your enemies.” Jesus Himself died for us while we were yet sinners, even while we were
His enemy. This same agape love is to be in each one of us.
It was thought by some that God blessed Israel but withheld His blessing from all others. But God sends His rain
on the just and the unjust. The Bible teaches us that “God is no respecter of persons.” Acts 10:34, 35.
Matthew 5:48
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Here we find the climax of the law. We are to be complete in Him as we daily grow in grace. The work of
sanctification is the work of a lifetime. Every day we may stand perfect in Christ as we live up to all the light we
have by His indwelling Spirit. While the rabbis looked to the outward performance of rituals, God looks upon the
heart. If the heart is pure, then the life will be full of good works glorifying God.
Compiled by Pastor Jeff Wehr
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