The ministry and miracles of the Lord had attracted the multitude. He took an elevated place and sat down and taught His disciples in the hearing of the multitude. As the prophet, He tells them the character that suited His kingdom. It is His own character that comes out in it all.
Immanuel (Isa. 7:14; 9:6) was here among men. He knew what was before Him; He was rejected and despised of men because of the lowly place He took in grace. His people share with Him in His rejection.
The believing remnant of the Jews, the disciples in that day, were brought into the church at Pentecost. The believing remnant of the tribulation period will share the kingdom in the millennial age. Believers now are a heavenly people. We are children of the Father; members of the body of Christ; temples of the Holy Spirit. The principles contained in the sermon on the mount apply to us also, but we need to notice the above distinction from those who had an earthly calling.
Matthew 5:3-12 is the character and portion of those who are of the kingdom.
Matthew 5:13-16 is their position in the world.
Matthew 5:17-48 is the connection between the principles of the kingdom and the law.
Let us look at them a little in detail.
Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is accepting a despised place; it is not seeking great things for self in a scene that is contrary to God—these possess the kingdom.
Christ’s character is seen in all these as the example for us. What He taught is what He is (John 8:25; see new translation.)
Matthew 5:4. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” This is mourning before God and in sympathy with Him over the sinful condition of men. God comforts them with promise of blessing in which they shall share. (See Mark 7:34; 8:12; John 11:33, 35).
Matthew 5:5. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness does not maintain its own rights; it does not retaliate, it rather suffers wrong; but God defends the meek. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Matt. 11:29; Psa. 22:26; 25:9; 37:11). “They shall inherit the earth” applies specially to the earthly calling; but we who are heavenly should receive all things from our God and Father in the same way. We should not be conformed to the world’s ways, and should be done with selfishness. He will “supply all your need” (Phil. 4:19).
Matthew 5:6. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Here is earnest desire for good: the inward condition and activity of the mind hungering and thirsting after the things of God. The answer is Psalm 107:9; Ephesians 3:20.
Matthew 5:7. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” This is consideration for others. It is the deep fountain of God’s nature in the believer, for “God is love,” and He is “rich in mercy” (1 John 4:8; Eph. 2:4). In us it is, “bowels of mercies” (Col. 3:12).
Matthew 5:8. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” We get here the pure motive that keeps God in view. The pure in heart see God’s ways in everything.
Matthew 5:9. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” This is indeed the activity of the divine nature; God’s character among men, carrying peace with them, their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15). Thus they would win the title, “sons of God.”
Matthew 5:10. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Here we have the treatment from others of those who do the will of God, and walk in practical righteousness before Him. The soul that walks with God cannot do what it knows is wrong. It thus brings persecution upon itself from those affected by its integrity (Psa. 25:19-21). Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:11-12. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Notice the change to “ye.” It is suffering for Christ; it is precious to Him. He sees it all, and encourages the sufferer with His promise, “great is your reward in heaven.” To do well and suffer for it, is indeed acceptable with God, and brings the soul its sure reward (1 Peter 3:14-17), but to suffer for Christ’s sake is still more precious (1 Peter 4:12-16); “the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you”; “on your part He is glorified.” Thus we are encouraged to bear testimony and to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Matthew 5:13. “Ye are the salt of the earth.” As the salt, the believer strengthens and upholds all that God has instituted; it is preserving what is good. If the believer goes with the evil, his influence is lost, and his own communion is marred. It is not a question of losing eternal life — that could not be. It is our influence, as walking in the fear of God.
Matthew 5:14-16. “Ye are the light of the world.” “The world lieth in the wicked one” (1 John 5:19), and is in darkness, while the believer is brought out of it (Eph. 5:8). They are to bear testimony, like a candle in a candlestick gives light to all in the room, and like a city set on a hill that cannot be hid. Then the warning: if it is put under a measure, the benefit is lost, the things of the world have covered up the testimony. May we ponder verse 16, so that our words and works may glorify the Father which is in heaven (2 Thess. 2:16-17).
This is the first mention of the Father’s name, “which is in heaven,” as suited to an earthly people. In John 20, when the Lord rose from the dead, He could say, “My God and your God,” “My Father and your Father.”
(To be Continued).