Sermon on the Mount: Chapter 5: 1-24

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord teaches the Gospel so clearly. I will comment on a verse or two each day and add it to the bottom of the blog.

Some of my thoughts follow:

Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5–7; The Beatitudes are the start of the Sermon on the Mount. President Harold B. Lee stated: “In that matchless Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has given us eight distinct ways by which we might receive … joy. Each of his declarations is begun by the word “Blessed.” … These declarations of the Master are known in the literature of the Christian world as the Beatitudes. … They embody in fact the constitution for a perfect life.” As we look at the Beatitudes in this light, they take on a new meaning. Especially, as we add the wording from 3 Nephi 12-14, these statements take on new meaning. It starting with being “poor in spirit” or the “humble in spirit, who come unto me.” It continues with mourning or repenting; being meek or forgiving; thirsting after righteousness or being teachable; being merciful; being pure in heart; being peacemakers; being persecuted, but still being faithful; and being reviled and continuing on God's path. This is the way to perfection. I think that the verses after the beatitudes also tell us what and how we need to act to become “complete” or perfect.

We are the salt of the earth, and if we are not obedient we will lose our savor and be cast out. Since salt is a token of the covenant and was part of the sacrifice ritual and since we are part of the covenant people, then this verse is directed at us as members of the church. If we are not valiant, we will be cast out and trodden under foot. “Our” savor is proportional to our righteousness.

We need to let our light shine and give God the glory, because if we glory in ourselves, we are guilty of the sin of pride, which is the “universal sin.” (ETB) Everything that we do must be to bring glory to the Father. We must give our wills to Him, which is really the only thing that we can truly give to Him. (NAM) We must constantly seek to do His will. We are here to do the will of the Father and give Him the glory. If we do, we shall obtain His glory.

Everything about the Savior was positive. He came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. There is a great lesson here for all of us. We need to fulfill and do God's commandments and not do anything to hurt or destroy anyone or anything. The tenderness of the Savior is very clear here. We must be tender as well in all that we do. In the professional world, this is very difficult. We must not have any guile or deception.

The Law of Moses was given by Jehovah or Jesus to be fulfilled and to be succeeded by the higher law. The Law of Moses is a very structured way of life, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about a broken heart and a contrite spirit, doing the things of God of your own free will and choice.

It is interesting in verse 19 that the concept of not doing/teaching and doing/teaching are linked together. It is one thing to not do/do something and another thing to add the teaching aspect also. But adding the teaching aspect makes a huge difference: being called the least or being called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. This points out that we must be very careful how we teach, whether it be at home, at church, or in other settings. We need to teach the pure doctrine and the covenants.

The next verse talks about being more righteousness than the scribes and the Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees thought that they were righteous, but the true followers of the Savior do not view themselves as better than others. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven we need to be humble in our own eyes, bless others' lives through service, and look continually to God for help and direction.

Verses 21-22 raise many concepts: we all know that we should not kill, but then the Savior takes this commandment further by saying that we should not be angry with our brother without cause. Those who do will be in danger of the judgment. We are clearly not to get angry or allow others to anger us. If we do, we are in danger of being judged and sent from the presence of God. Also, anger can lead to other crimes such as murder. Continuing we are not to say “Raca” to our brother. “Raca” means contempt or derision. We are not to have any contempt for anyone or ridicule anyone. In ancient times this “laid one liable to punishment under the decree of council.” (James E. Talmage) The council was the Sanhedrin. To call another person a fool was to judge that person and places one in danger of hell fire. We are not to judge others. We do not understand what others are going through. Only those who are selected by the Lord to be judges in Israel have any responsibility in this area. We cannot and should not get involved in judging others. We need to serve and help not judge.

In verses 23-24, the Lord is teaching that we really need to be careful about when we come before the Lord with prayers, making covenants, giving offerings, or serving in the Kingdom. We need to be not be at odss with anyone, especially our spouse, family member, church member, or anyone, but we need have a clear conscience so that our service will be acceptable. There is a link between the purity of our heart and the blessings that come from the gifts that we give. There can be no guile or deceit. Gifts must be given with a pure heart. When we give with a pure heart, there are greater blessings available to us.