The world is looking at us. We are an example to them of God’s love. The way of the world is simple, in Matthew 5:43 “hate your enemies”. But God’s desire is that all will be saved, that all would come to recognize his love and he demonstrates this in Matthew 5:45 “he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust”. So it is not enough for us to mark those evildoers and to separate ourselves from them, he says in Matthew 5:24 “go be reconciled to your brother”. He says in Matthew 5:44 “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. As Jesus said in John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another”.
You Are The Salt of the Earth
Matthew 5:13–16
This is called the sermon on the mount where Jesus is not just talking to his disciples, but to everyone in the crowd that had gathered to hear about the kingdom of God. And to all of them Jesus says in
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, by what will it be made salty? It is good for nothing any longer except to be thrown outside and trampled under foot by people”.
Salt was a well known and very valuable commodity used as a preservative, and also as a token of covenant “So in the Bible it is used as an emblem of the Covenant (‘a covenant of salt’) between J″ and His people (Nu 18:19, 2 Ch 13:5).”1
but Jesus goes on to offer another analogy saying in
Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on top of a hill cannot be hidden
We are to be seen, we are here for that purpose and though it may sometimes be uncomfortable to have eyes on us, this is just what God intends in
Matthew 5:16 In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
I Have Not Come To Destroy the Law
First Be Reconciled To Your Brother
Matthew 5:21–26
The Jewish people understood the law of Moses, beginning with the ten commandments, “Do not commit murder in Matthew 5:21. But Jesus presses them to think before the act of murder and recognize that anger comes first and is subject to the same judgement as murder in
Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’ will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’ will be subject to fiery hell.
But then Jesus turns this around from the one who is angry and says to the one who knows his brother is angry with him in
Matthew 5:23–24 Therefore if you present your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and first go be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your gift.
How can we stand before God with a clear conscience when we know there is an accusation, an unsettled offense that may end in judgement? He says in Matthew 5:25 “settle the case”.
Throw It From You!
Matthew 5:27–32
Do Not Swear At All
Matthew 5:33–37
Do Not Turn Away From the One Who Wants
Love Your Enemies
Matthew 5:43–48
Jesus presses the crowd to go beyond what they have learned in
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’
We can understand this statement, “love your neighbor” because they are like us and maybe have similar goals and values. And we can understand this statement “Hate your enemy” because they are against us and we all like to have someone to blame for our trouble. And isn’t it easy to hold an offense and use it to avoid that trouble maker? But separating yourself, blaming them, pointing your finger at them isn’t the way God operates in
Matthew 5:44–45 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Study Verses
- Matthew 5:13–16 You Are The Salt of the Earth
- Matthew 5:21–26 First Be Reconciled To Your Brother
- Matthew 5:43–48 Love Your Enemies
Today’s Reading
- Matthew 5:13-48
References
- 1. Hull, E. (1911–1912). SALT. In J. Hastings, J. A. Selbie, A. B. Davidson, S. R. Driver, & H. B. Swete (Eds.), A Dictionary of the Bible: Dealing with Its Language, Literature, and Contents Including the Biblical Theology (Vol. 4, p. 355). New York; Edinburgh: Charles Scribner’s Sons; T. & T. Clark.
