The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5-7. Because it is such a comprehensive message, teachers divide it into sections and cover one small section at a time.
It’s helpful to remember that it was a sermon. As a sermon, there are some things that Jesus wants his listeners to know.
First, he wants us to be salt and light in the world. We are an alternative to the world that we’re living in. We’re to have certain attitudes and actions that reflect our relationship with God, who is bringing his kingdom into the world.
As such, we pray for our daily bread (6.11). After we’ve prayed for our needs to be met, we trust God to supply them.
By trusting God to provide for our needs, we not only find peace ourselves, but we also reveal God’s character of provision and care to the world around us.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6.25).
Jesus poetically describes God’s care of birds and flowers. He does so by arguing from the lesser to the greater. If God cares for birds and flowers, how much more will He care for us? (Matthew 6.26-31).
Earlier in the sermon, Jesus counseled us not to be like those who think they have to manipulate God with long prayers or many words. He told them, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (6.8).
He returns to the same theme and God’s care for our needs. An unbelieving world is focused primarily on getting what they want. They use God like a lucky charm, hoping that He will give them what they desire when they can’t get it for themselves.
That kind of anxiety, Jesus says, must be avoided because God knows what we need.
For it is the Gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6.32).
The Kingdom of God
Jesus’s message was that the Kingdom of God had arrived on earth. We need to know that it arrived when Jesus came. It is still arriving in our day and age, and one day it will be consummated.
While we are living in the Kingdom of God amid a world that opposes God, we are called to seek that kingdom, to live in it, and to follow its rules.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6.33).
Many wonder how to actively seek the Kingdom of God. I think the most effective way is to immerse ourselves in the Gospel of Matthew.
By closely observing and listening to Jesus’ teachings and actions, we gain a unique perspective on the Kingdom. Jesus embodied the Kingdom and reigns as its King.
As we strive to follow his example, adopting his attitudes and actions, we will naturally find ourselves living within the Kingdom as he intended.
Don’t Worry
Rudy Ross often uses verse 34 to help him get through a difficult day at work.
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6.34).
We all can learn from this verse to not “awfulize” problems and realize that God is in control.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 