Daily Devotions for Difficult Days [51] Sermon on the Mount (1)

Thursday Devotionals are written by Assistant Pastor Mike Loveridge

The Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon of the Mount is probably one of the best-known parts of the Bible, but it is also arguably one of the least understood. Over the next few weeks, on Thursdays we will be focusing in on the Beatitudes, the first 12 verses of this famous sermon. This short passage has attracted readers over the centuries with its lyrical, poetic feel. But, look closer, and you will also find a real wealth of teaching. They may be beautiful but be warned – they also pack a punch!

What’s the context?

Jesus delivers this teaching near the beginning of his public ministry. After his baptism and temptation, Jesus immediately begun to declare the good news of the kingdom of God. He travelled around Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and preaching. “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near!”. The Sermon on the Mount should be seen in this context. It is a picture of what life looks like for those who repent.

Who is this sermon for?

It’s also worth pointing out that Jesus’ teaching in these chapters was, according to Matthew 5:1, primarily for his disciples. They had the front row seats. However, if you look to the end of the sermon, in Matthew 7:28-29 it tells us that ‘when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching.’ So, it is clear that the crowds were also listening in. And just so for us today. This passage is packed full of wisdom for people who are already followers of Jesus, but there is something here for everyone.

A radically counter-cultural message

In Jesus’ time, there was no shortage of ‘religion’. The majority of the Jews practiced their religion faithfully, and their religious leaders held positions of great honour in their communities. However, being a Jew had become synonymous with ‘following the rules’. Their religious leaders focused on an artificial, external righteousness based on the law. They were concerned about conduct and behaviour but neglected character.

In this sermon, Jesus is directly challenging this worldly view of righteousness. It is the nearest thing he ever gets to delivering his manifesto – his description of what his followers should be like. In these verses, he paints a picture of what life should look like for true citizens of his Kingdom. And it is very different from the life of others! The righteousness of his kingdom is true and vital, transforming hearts, minds and actions. Under God’s gracious rule, our lives and communities are utterly transformed. We no longer take our cues from the people around us, but from Him!

In the Beatitudes, Jesus homes in on the character of his followers. They are not a set of rules on how to live (as they are often interpreted) but a description of what Christians are supposed to be like. They describe a life of daily repentance, of sacrificial living, of religious devotion, of taking up one’s cross and following Jesus. How important they still are for us today. The Christian has a completely different outlook compared to the unbeliever and as we live out that difference in our everyday lives we bear witness to the transforming power of Jesus!

Before we go any further, let’s read the Beatitudes together from Matthew: 5:1-12.

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Now, just picture yourself as part of that crowd. Perhaps you are one of the disciples sat in eager anticipation of listening to Jesus. The greatest teacher who has ever lived is about to deliver a sermon to you. He begins and the first word you hear is ‘Blessed’. Their hearts must have jumped. This will be interesting! Everyone wants to be blessed! Blessed in Jesus’ day meant divine joy or divine happiness. It was a word used to describe the joy experienced only by the ‘gods’. So, the listeners would likely have thought they knew what was coming. Blessed are…the rich, powerful, happy, well-fed, unoppressed? What a shock they were in for! Jesus turns common-sense on its head. Blessed are the poor, the mourners, the hungry, the thirsty and the persecuted. At first glance, this simply doesn’t make much sense!

As we work our way through the beatitudes, we will unpack each of the characteristics God desires for his followers and how they apply to us today. We will look at the wonderful present and future promises Jesus makes if we live for him in this way. But for today spend some time dwelling on your relationship with God. Ask God to show you where in your life you can be more Christ like and less like the world for His glory.

Song for today:

Beautiful Lord, wonderful saviour
I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands
Crafted into Your perfect plan

You gently call me, into Your presence
Guiding me by, Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord
To live all of my life through Your eyes

I'm captured by, Your Holy calling
Set me apart
I know You're drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord I pray

Take me, Mold me
Use me, Fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hands
Hold me, Guide me
Lead me, Walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter's hand

You can listen to it here

Prayer for today:

Loving Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your mercy, grace and favour. Thank you that through the death of your son upon the cross our sin was dealt with and our shame removed. Thank you that through faith in Him we can be called children of God. May we never forget that.

We come before you now as ask that you may once again show us sin that is in our lives and will you by your Holy Spirit give us the strength and power to become more like your son each day. Humble our pride and fix our eyes upon you.

We ask it all in the glorious name of Jesus

Amen

Photo by Ashim D’Silva on unsplash