15. Jesus Sermon on the mount meaning

Jesus Sermon on the Mount Teachings is one of the most significant teachings of Jesus Christ, and it is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew in chapters 5-7. It is known for its powerful and challenging teachings, which challenge us to live in a way that is counter-cultural and rooted in love, compassion, and justice. Here is a breakdown of the key teachings:

1. The Beatitudes explained

Jesus begins the sermon with the Beatitudes, which are a series of blessings that describe the qualities and attitudes that characterize a life lived in obedience to God. The Beatitudes include:

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs, is the Kingdom of heaven.

Poor in spirit is a reference to being reliant on God, and understanding that as created beings we should denounce pride and work steadily towards a place with Him in the afterlife, following his commandments as best we can. The parable of the lilies in the field is an extension of this beatitude. Much as we strive to live, and better ourselves through education, commerce and so on, we must not forget that the overarching objective of life, at least the Christian life, is to prepare ourselves for the afterlife. 

Anton - Christ carrying the cross, Mark 15:20-26

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The absence or presence of wealth, good health, loads of food and the like is irrelevant. Indeed, we must strive to live well and seek God's assistance to do so, but the mystery that we must live with is that we cannot question our daily circumstances, for it may very well be part of God's great plan for each and every human being. The book of Job deals with this very issue, where Job was indeed poor in spirit but suffered terribly for no reason of his own. What comes to mind, is the philosophical question of the vase asking its maker, why it was made a vase; we should be grateful for existence, for now, we know what non-existence is, or do we?

But, there is the other thing to think about, namely poverty of spirit and common sense on the other hand. What talents and abilities you are given, must be used. You must not be accused of tempting God!

• Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted 

Mourning is in regard to the state of the world and our fellow man. In this modern age of instant and continuous news, tragedy follows us on our devices everywhere we go. The human condition is one of greed, war, selfishness, self-righteousness, idolatry, hatred, wickedness, drunkenness and the like. The world seems to be controlled by a spirit of wickedness and there seems no end to the amount that is concocted daily.

If you mourn and question the depravity of your fellow man, then indeed, as the beatitude states, you will be comforted.

• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth

I have always thought that this beatitude is very closely related to the one on the poverty of spirit. Meekness is defined as being quiet and gentle and even submissive. I have always thought that meekness also comes with much intelligence. Intelligence allows a proper assessment of a situation and determine whether it requires action or not. For example, ambition is considered a good quality, however blind ambition is not. There is a general unwritten order to the way things are, and an intelligent person tends to see things in a way that somebody proud and brash will not.

The world is full of wily characters, who offer trinkets and make off with what is real unfairly. A meek person can see the game being played but chooses his battles carefully allowing the injustice to take place. In such a case, God will provide that final vengeance.

Bloch- Christ with Thorns John 19:1-6

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I find myself at odds with its beatitude. If you can prevent a travesty, either at the personal or societal level, should I turn a blind eye? Loan sharking, gambling, mobile loans, day loans, drugs, human trafficking and the like, all prey on the poor and innocent. They know no better, but you who do, should we simply be meek and await the Lord's intervention?

I can fully understand losing one's pride out of injustice to self and making a personal choice not to pursue revenge or any other action. But what about someone unable to discern or understand?

I apologize for bringing more questions to your mind rather than answers.

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

This beatitude follows nicely from mourning and being meek. It naturally follows that one will hunger and thirst for what is righteous. The wicked should be punished and the righteous rewarded. It is not for us to say the time or place, in this life or the next, but we do thirst for the right order of things to prevail over the wrong.

• Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy

The parable of the wicked servant explains this beatitude well. In the parable, a King shows mercy to one of his servants, but the servant fails to show mercy to a fellow palace servant, and on being informed, the King revokes his mercy. 

The Lord's prayer, tells us to seek God's mercy, but it is conditional on us offering mercy to those that have sinned or hurt us in any way. The teaching is a difficult one, but when practically applied can be very liberating. I recall a story of a mother who showed mercy to someone that had intentionally caused the death of her child. In court, she and her husband asked the judge for leniency on behalf of the accused; what a great action indeed. The court naturally sentenced the offender but there is solace there for the offender, knowing that mercy had been shown.

It is not easy to show mercy, especially when the crime is grave. This beatitude is for me one of the teachings that convinces me of Jesus' divinity. How can a man show mercy with such ease, when vengeance is the natural response? To be able to live this way, I suggest, that only practice and steeping oneself in Christ's teachings, will one be able to obey; but only after strict adherence, first in the little things then in the larger.

One must also question this quality when there is a clear lack of remorse by the offender. How does one show mercy where it is not appreciated? How does one show mercy, when there is no willingness to change? Is it at this point that we take vengeance upon ourselves?

• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

The purity of heart is the purity of motive. One simply does, because the Lord has commanded us to. I don't think that the pure absence of motive can exist. In my view, and maybe my experience, we obey to gain God's favour. We don't know what that favour will look like, in this or the world to come, but we obey out of a duty to our maker and thus Jesus. So maybe purity of heart needs to conform to Jesus' teachings; anything else would be regarded as ill motive. 

Hoffman - Christ John 4:39-2

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• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Peacemakers flow nicely from the merciful and these with pure hearts. How can one be a peacemaker without the quality of mercy and expounding on the same to all those on a war footing? Peacemakers go into any situation without the pride and bravado of those who seek amends due to slight or the imagination of slight.

There is a saying that when two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers. This is an understanding that warring parties, at a personal or country-wide level, only lead to the innocent suffering. It is this protection of the innocent and avoidance of the shedding of blood that makes them children of God. 

• Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Jesus Sermon on the mount

All human beings associate with others and thus belong to various tribes, cultures, countries and so on. The beatitudes, as part of Jesus' wider teachings, are in many ways counter-cultural and thus appear strange when promoted and practised. This will certainly lead to persecution. There are numerous examples from history such as:

- Slavery and the Abolitionists

- Human rights movements across the globe

- Those that promote anti-competitive behavior in the business world

- Any organizations fighting for the rights of the poor

The examples are numerous, but the idea is to be humane and to approach the world in a manner that gives pride of place to all human beings, regardless of status, for we are all created in the image and likeness of our creator; this gives everyone on earth intrinsic value as a human being. Jesus teaches that the truly blessed are those who live lives of humility, love, and service to others and that they will receive God's blessings both in this life and in the life to come.

2. On Salt and Light

Jesus then teaches that his followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He challenges them to be a positive influence in the world, to bring hope, healing, and restoration to those around them, and to let their light shine before others, so that they may see their good works and glorify their Father in heaven.

I love this analogy because it involves all humankind, right from the level of an individual, even a child, right to that of countries. Salt in biblical times was used both as a preservative and to add flavour (remember there were no fridges). It thus had great value and every house would have salt. The teaching suggests, just like salt adds flavour and preserves, let our approach to life and those around us have flavour and preserve relationships. Let our actions be the standard of what is right and moral in a world where absolute values seem not to exist.

Absolute values here would be the ten commandments which are seen as absolute and have no causal relationship. Additional to the ten are the two great commandments, a love of neighbour and a love of God. Read here for a detailed exposition of the 10 commandments.

As for the analogy of light, in those days lighting was provided by a lamp, possibly with olive oil. For illumination, the lamp would need to be placed at a high point. We, as followers of Christ, represent this high point from which all our actions are visible.

Leonardo Da Vinci - Salvator Mundi John 4:39-42

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3. On The Law and the Prophets

Jesus teaches that he did not come to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfil them. He challenges his followers to go beyond the mere letter of the law and to fulfil its spirit, which is one of love, compassion, and justice. He also teaches that the law is not a means of earning salvation, but rather a way of showing love and obedience to God.

I find it farcical when I hear fellow believers say that the law no longer applies to us and that through the sacrifice of our Lord, we are all going to heaven. Surely if the Lord Himself says that he comes to fulfil, does it mean that the Pentateuch no longer applies? Sure, there are sacrificial, food and laws around cleanliness that we can choose to disregard, however, the Pentateuch stemmed in entirety from the two great commandments, namely a love of God and a love of neighbour; and thereafter we apply the 10 commandments in light of these two great laws.

"I am saved, and thus I am saved from damnation; I need not do anything else and will live as I please and thereafter ascend to the pearly heights". If you ask me this is pure tripe, balderdash and gibberish. Passages like Matt 25: 32- 46 would not exist if more was not required of you! 

St Paul, in his teachings of the holy spirit, says that when the Spirit indwells you, you will exude the characteristics of the Spirit; these are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Galatians 5:22-23  

Are these not the characteristics applicable to the salt and light that Jesus spoke of? Let us all learn to strive in the Christian life; discipleship is not a farce but a very serious undertaking.

4.  On Anger

Jesus teaches his followers to be mindful of their anger and their words and to avoid unrighteous anger that can lead to sin. He reminds them that anger and hatred can poison their hearts and relationships and that they must strive to live in peace and harmony with others, even those who may disagree with them or wrong them.

Indeed anger of any kind is wrong, however, even Jesus himself acted on the anger that comes from righteous indignation (see the cleansing of the temple) Matt 21: 12-17. Anger, outside of righteous indignation, comes from pride and a desire to right what you consider to have been wronged. A great amount of discernment is required in determining how to react. Questions that may come to mind would be:

- Why are they acting that way

- Are they mature or formed enough to understand the consequences of what they have done?

- Do they truly understand, and might they require an explanation?

The thinking, at least as I see it, is to exhaust all avenues before allowing that anger to manifest. A child for instance may not understand what they have done. The same goes for millions that have no idea what righteousness demands. You who are reading this, have some understanding and are seeking to understand even more. What if someone has no idea what the beatitude on mourning is about? Someone who has never encountered Jesus' teachings?

Let us be careful in acting on anger, or allowing it to stir within us, however, and this is where I depart from our Lord, where the common good is at risk, then by all means act. 

5. On Adultery

Jesus speaks about the sin of adultery and teaches his followers to be pure in their thoughts, words, and actions. He reminds them that sexual immorality and unfaithfulness in relationships can cause great harm and that they must strive to live lives that are pure, faithful, and honouring God.

It's amazing how human beings have introduced all kinds of new technologies to make our lives better and easier. With the internet, knowledge and commerce are available at the touch of a button. There is really no reason for anyone to say that knowledge is hidden, it is available to everyone willing to work hard and attain it and all for free.

Technology is a gift, but it is also a means to great evil. The internet has made the mass proliferation of pornography and all that it entails possible. There are huge industries that have arisen to feed the demand. What chance does the human race have in upholding virtue when all manner of sinful behaviour is being offered at the touch of a button. Oh, the genius and the deplorable nature of man!

6. On Divorce

Jesus also speaks about the issue of divorce and teaches that it is only permissible in cases of marital unfaithfulness. He challenges his followers to build strong and lasting relationships and to work through challenges and difficulties with love, patience, and perseverance.

I agree with this entirely, however, what do we do in a world where the holy institution of marriage is no longer treated with the reverence it deserves? Divorces are granted willy-nilly by both the state and organs that call themselves churches led by dubious ministers whose ultimate objective is wealth and pleasing the masses rather than the tough cost of discipleship.

7. On Oaths

Jesus teaches his followers not to make oaths, but to let their yes be yes and their no be no. He reminds them that all their words should be truthful and honest and that they should not need to swear by anything to be believed.

In judicial systems all over the world, perjury is a serious offence. It s lying under oath. Lying to who? One could say the judge, but in lying it means that one has no reverence for God. This is blasphemy, namely speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. How one can lie under oath defeats me, however, if you have no reverence for the unseen creator, then you can have no reverence for anything.

8. On Revenge 

He teaches his followers not to seek revenge, but to turn the other cheek and to love their enemies. He challenges them to break the cycle of violence and hatred and to show mercy and forgiveness to those who wrong them.

In this my saviour, I don't agree, especially where the common good and innocents are involved. Personally, you may turn the other cheek at an insult; accept to be called a coward and stomach it. If however, those you love are under threat, is it not a kindness to act? I'll leave that hanging.

9. On Giving

He teaches his followers to give to the poor and needy and to do so in secret, without seeking recognition or praise from others. He reminds them that their generosity and compassion should come from a genuine love and concern for others, and not from a desire to be seen as righteous or holy.

The teaching reminds me of parts of the gospels that talk about the Pharisees and how they would walk the streets with their self-righteous noses held high in the air, pausing on street corners to show their piety and making a great deal of their offerings; tithing everything that came their way. I think this is what Jesus was referring to.

I don't think stating the name of a benefactor to a church, charity or whatever or even lending your name to a program aimed at helping the needy is a problem. The problem is when you are continuously announcing your piety and good acts. 

If you get a plaque from a church saying that you contributed so and so, only those that read the plaque know who you are, and many will not. The problem is if you go around taking credit all the time for that single act. Give and if you get a plaque, well and good. I suspect God will create his own plaque for you in the afterlife.

Be generous, and there is nothing wrong in giving your name to something, but let that action end there. I don't know Bill and Melinda Gates, but I don't think the honours they get in heaven by lending their name to their foundation, will remove the blessings they get from what they give. 

Please note, these are all just my own thoughts and I generally live by them. Let's talk more in the commentary should you wish to.

Kussler- Immaculate heart of Mary Luke 1:26-28

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10. On Prayer

 He teaches his followers to pray in secret, without seeking attention or praise. This seems fairly obvious. When you pray asking for all manner of assistance or giving gratitude, you do it alone or with those dear to you, certainly not on the streets. I think again, this is a reference to the habits of the Pharisees.

Enjoy