Christian Living

A DIFFERENT LOOK AT THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

by paul hoffmaster
12/10/17
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The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6) are often looked at as one event recorded in two Gospels.  Matthew’s account goes into greater detail, while Luke presents a limited discourse.  But on careful study, one will see a distinct difference between the two accounts.  The settings of the teachings give evidence of geographical locations that are obvious to the reader.  Matthew records Jesus’ teachings on a mountain, while Luke emphasizes a plain in the shadow of a mountain.  Matthew tells us there were a considerable number of disciples that came to Jesus to hear His teaching.  It seems this was a thinning out of prospective applicants for the ministry of an Apostle.  Some time later, Jesus went once again up into a mountain, and after a night of praying, chose twelve men to become His “inner circle.”  After His selection, He descended from the mountain with His Apostles and addressed the multitude of people that had assembled from all over Judea to hear Him speak.  In Matthew, Jesus actually was teaching an introductory class on ministry.  In Luke, Jesus is sharing the Word with the general population. 

 As one studies the Sermon on the Mount one will see the importance of selecting men who would be an asset to Jesus’ ministry.  Ineffective ministries are directly related to ineffective ministers.  Jesus began His teaching by defining whom they would be engaging.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”  All the Beatitudes identify the needs of the seekers whom they would encounter.  Jesus pointed out that there would be opposition to their teaching, but they should rejoice for there would be a Heavenly award awaiting them.  He told them they are to be the salt and light of the world.  He told them that He came to fulfill the Law, not to replace it.  He stressed the importance of practicing what they taught.  He told them their righteousness must be greater than the righteousness of the Pharisees.  An Apostle would not speak with anger toward another person.  If they owed past debts, they were to take care of them immediately.  He told them to be on guard against sexual temptations, initiated by wandering eyes that could lead to impure thoughts and eventually sinful actions.  If they are married, never seek a way out of their marriage.  He told them that their word was all that was necessary when it came to making promises.  He told them to be willing to respond positively to the challenges from others.  He told them to love their enemies.  Whatever they gave to others, they were to do it anonymously, and God would bless them outwardly.  They were not to make long, flowery prayers, for God already knew what their need was.  Fast without doing it for show.  Don’t make money a goal in life, for you cannot serve two masters.  Be careful what you set your eyes on, for it will influence your life.  He told them not to worry, that God would take care of all their needs.  They were not to judge one another.  He told them by asking, seeking, and knocking they would achieve results.  The way to serving Him was a very narrow way and few of the applicants would succeed in being called.  He told the potential candidates that there would be false prophets, but they would be able to recognize them by the fruit they displayed.  He pointed out that some will claim they are called to be ministers, but Jesus would say He never knew them.  Finally, Jesus told them if they obeyed His teachings they would be able to survive any storm that came their way.  I wonder how many spiritual leaders today meet the criteria that Jesus laid out in the Sermon on the Mount!

 The Sermon on the Plain was an illustration for the Apostles on how they were to share Jesus’ teachings.  He starts out by addressing the people specifically.  “Blessed are you poor.”  He lists four beatitudes which spoke to their needs.  He addresses the Pharisees and religious hypocrites who were scattered among the multitude with four Woes.  He tells the seekers to love their enemies and not to judge.  He stresses the importance of bearing good fruit.  He closes by telling them it is more than giving Him lip service; it is hearing and doing what He says.  There would be challenges to their spiritual walk, but by obeying His word they would not be moved.  May God grant us understanding to the intent of His Word!