The Sermon on the Mount

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—though the crowd was also listening. This location echoed Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai, and indeed Jesus would present Himself as the fulfillment and proper interpreter of that Law. What followed was the most comprehensive presentation of kingdom living ever delivered.

Jesus began with the Beatitudes—nine blessings that turned worldly values upside down. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' True spiritual poverty—recognizing our complete dependence on God—opens us to receive His kingdom. 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.' Those who grieve over sin and brokenness will experience God's comfort. Each beatitude revealed kingdom paradoxes: the meek inherit the earth, those who hunger for righteousness are satisfied, the merciful receive mercy, the pure in heart see God, peacemakers are called God's children, and those persecuted for righteousness possess the kingdom.

Jesus told His disciples they were salt and light in the world—preserving and illuminating society. But salt that loses its saltiness is worthless, and light hidden under a bowl serves no purpose. Their good deeds should be visible, causing others to glorify their Father in heaven. Then Jesus addressed the Law directly: He had not come to abolish it but to fulfill it. Until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter or stroke of a pen would disappear from the Law.

But Jesus presented a righteousness that exceeded that of the Pharisees. Where the Law said, 'You shall not murder,' Jesus said anger toward a brother makes one subject to judgment. Where the Law forbade adultery, Jesus said looking at a woman lustfully is adultery in the heart. He called for radical amputation of sin—better to lose an eye or hand than for the whole body to go to hell. Where the Law allowed divorce for unfaithfulness, Jesus called His followers to a higher standard of commitment. Where the Law said, 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth,' Jesus taught non-retaliation and loving enemies. The issue wasn't just external behavior but the transformation of the heart.

Jesus warned against practicing righteousness to be seen by others. Giving to the needy should be done secretly, not with trumpets announcing it. Prayer should be private, not showy public displays. When praying, don't babble like pagans who think they'll be heard for their many words. Then Jesus taught what we call the Lord's Prayer—a model of addressing God as Father, hallowing His name, praying for His kingdom and will, requesting daily bread, seeking forgiveness while forgiving others, and asking for deliverance from evil.

Fasting should also be done privately, not with disfigured faces to show everyone how spiritual you are. Jesus then addressed money and possessions: 'Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.' Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. You cannot serve both God and money. This led to teaching about worry: 'Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.' He pointed to birds that don't store in barns yet are fed by the Father, and flowers that don't labor yet are more beautifully clothed than Solomon. If God cares for them, how much more will He care for you?

Jesus taught, 'Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.' Worry is essentially unbelief—believing that God won't provide. He commanded, 'Do not judge, or you too will be judged,' warning against hypocritical judgment while having glaring faults ourselves. Ask, seek, knock—the Father loves to give good gifts. Treat others as you want to be treated. Enter through the narrow gate, not the wide gate that leads to destruction. Watch out for false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are ferocious wolves inwardly—you'll recognize them by their fruit.

Jesus concluded with a sobering warning: not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter heaven, but only those who do the Father's will. Many will claim to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles in His name, but He will say, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' The determining factor isn't impressive spiritual activities but obedient relationship with Christ. He ended with the parable of two builders—one who built on rock and withstood storms, one who built on sand and collapsed. Hearing Jesus' words without putting them into practice is building on sand. When Jesus finished, the crowds were amazed because He taught as one who had authority, not like their teachers of the law.