Upside Down Kingdom: Mission & Message | Week 4 | Message on the Mount | Matthew 5:1-12

Week 4 | Message on the Mount

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." -Matthew 5:5-8 

Matthew 5:1-12
 
Jesus’ mission has momentum. People are being healed, spiritual freedom is being experienced and His message is gaining popularity. As he ascends a hill to teach, he is followed by both his growing inner circle of disciples and massive crowds of those interested in His message and mission. Jesus is the savior King of His people, the Great Physician capable of healing, and He is a great teacher (rabbi) of the ethic and ways of His Kingdom. What begins in chapter 5, and continues through chapter 7, is a compilation of Jesus’s essential teaching for His disciples. Yet this is more than a legalist manifesto or utopian ideal to be pursued. True relationship with the rabbi is necessary to receive, understand, and apply what Jesus desires for His disciples. The call is nothing less than perfection which has only been achieved by Christ himself. This message is aspirational in nature but also drives us to radical reliance on Jesus’ work.

Hope for Hurting (5:2-5) – Jesus’ sermon begins with a series of “Beatitudes” with phrases beginning with “Blessed is/are...” While formulaic in their structure, these are not legalistic actions and promises but rather the heart disposition and attitudes of Jesus’ disciples as they navigate the world around them. Longing, grief, meekness are natural feelings in a dark and broken world, yet they are temporary. There is hope, comfort, and inheritance in the future eternal Kingdom of God.

Peace for the Conflicted (5:6-9) - How see and understand the world and others matters. Recognizing sin, seeing injustice, feeling disconnected from God, and navigating conflict are all part of a disciples of experience when our eyes and hearts are opened to spiritual and relational realties. Jesus assures us our journey as disciples will ultimately satisfying as we receive mercy, experience righteousness, commune with God. While we wait, we act as agents of peace and reconciliation pointing other to Christ.

Endurance for the Persecuted (5:10-12) – Resistance to the message is because of rejection of the Messiah. Darkness hates the light. Jesus’ disciples will face opposition and even persecution in a world opposed to Him. When following and proclaiming Jesus, we should assume we will be met with hostility. This should not be reason to be discouraged or give up, but to press in with the great assurance of eternal reward.

QUESTIONS: 

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about Jesus or the Sermon on the Mount?
2. What does it mean to be “Poor in Spirit”? When have you been stricken with grief or found yourself meek when you desired boldness?
3. How are the Beatitudes confusing?How are they comforting?How do they give us hope or dive us to greater reliance on Christ?
4. Where do you see or experience opposition to the Message of the Gospel? What are some false narratives you have heard about Christians, Jesus, or the Gospel in our culture?

PRAY – Praise God the Father for the promise of our eternal inheritance and communion with Him. Thank Jesus for His world changing message and mission. Ask the Holy Spirit for encouragement and endurance as a disciple in a hostile world.