Matthew 7: The Sermon on the Mount

411 matthaeus 7 the sermon on the mountIn Matthew 5, Jesus explains that true justice comes from within and is a matter of the heart - not just behavior. In the 6. Chapter we read what Jesus says about our pious acts. You must be sincere and not be presented as a benefit to make us look good. In the two chapters, Jesus addresses two problems that occur when one focuses primarily on external behavior in the definition of justice. For one thing, God does not want to change only our outward behavior, and on the other hand, it leads people to pretend to change the heart. In chapter 7, Jesus shows us a third problem that arises when behavior is paramount: people who equate justice with behavior tend to judge or criticize others.

The splinter in the eye of the other

“Judge not, lest you be judged,” said Jesus, “for by what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with what measure you measure, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7,1-2). Jesus' listeners knew what kind of judging Jesus was talking about. It was directed against the judgmental attitude of the people who had already criticized Jesus - against the hypocrites who focused on external behavior (see John 7,49 as an example of this). Those who are quick to judge others and feel superior to others are judged by God. Everyone has sinned and everyone is in need of mercy. Yet some find it difficult to admit this, and just as it find it difficult to show compassion towards others. Therefore, Jesus warns us that the way we treat other people can lead to God treating us the same way. The more we feel our own need for mercy, the less we will judge others.

Then Jesus gives us a humorously exaggerated illustration of what he means: "But why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, and not perceive the log that is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7,3). In other words, how can one complain about someone's sin when one has committed a greater one? “Or how can you say to your brother, 'Stop, I will take the speck out of your eye?' and behold, there is a beam in your eye. Hypocrite, first pull the log out of your eye; then see how you pull the speck out of your brother's eye” (vv. 4-5). Jesus' listeners must have laughed out loud at this caricature of the hypocrites.

A hypocrite claims he helps others to identify their sins. He claims to be wise and claims to be a zealot for the law. But Jesus says that such a person is not qualified to help. He is a hypocrite, an actor, a pretense. He must first remove sin from his life; he has to understand how great his own sin is. How can the bar be removed? Jesus did not explain that at this point, but we know from other passages that sin can only be removed by God's grace. Only those who have mercy can really help others.

"You shall not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine" (verse 6). This phrase is commonly interpreted to mean preaching the gospel wisely. That may be true, but the context here has nothing to do with the gospel. However, when we put this proverb in context, there may be some irony in its meaning: “Hypocrite, keep your pearls of wisdom to yourself. If you think the other person is a sinner, don't waste your words on him, for he will not be grateful to you for what you say and only get upset with you.” This would then be a humorous conclusion to Jesus' core statement: “Judge not”.

God's good gifts

Jesus already spoke about prayer and our lack of faith (chapter 6). Now he addresses this again: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. Because he who asks receives; and whoever seeks will find; and it will be opened to anyone who knocks” (V 7-9). Jesus describes an attitude of trust or confidence in God. Why can we have such faith? Because God is trustworthy.

Then Jesus makes a simple comparison: “Who among you men would offer his son a stone when he asked him for bread? Or, if he asks for a fish, offer a snake? If then you, being wicked, are able to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him” (vv. 9-11). If even sinners take care of their children, then surely we can trust God to take care of us, His children, for He is perfect. He will provide us with everything we need. We don't always get what we want and sometimes we particularly lack discipline. Jesus doesn't go into those things now - his point here is simply that we can trust God.

Next, Jesus speaks about the golden rule. The sense is similar to verse 2. God will treat us as we treat others, so He tells us, "Whatever you want people to do to you, do to them too" (verse 12). Since God gives us good things, we should do good things to others. If we want to be treated kindly and have our case decided in our favour, then we must be kind to others. If we want someone to help us when we need help, then we should be willing to help others when they need help.

About the golden rule, Jesus says, "This is the law and the prophets" (verse 12). It is this rule of reason that the Torah is really about. All the many sacrifices should show us that we need mercy. All civil laws should teach us how to behave fairly towards our fellow human beings. The golden rule gives us a clear idea of ​​God's way of life. It is easy to quote, but difficult to act on. So Jesus ends his sermon with some warnings.

The narrow gate

“Enter by the narrow gate,” Jesus advises. “For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter by it. How narrow is the gate and how narrow is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it!” (Vv 13-14).

The path of least resistance leads to destruction. Following Christ is not the most popular way. To go with it is to deny oneself, to think for oneself, and the readiness to lead by faith, even if nobody else does. We can not go with the majority. We also can not favor a successful minority just because it is small. Popularity or rare occurrences are not a measure of the truth.

“Beware of false prophets,” Jesus warns. "...who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (v.15). False preachers make a good impression on the outside, but their motives are selfish. How can we tell if they are wrong?

"You shall recognize them by their fruit." It may take some time, but eventually we will see whether the preacher is trying to take advantage of it or whether he is truly serving others. Appearances can be deceiving for a while. The workers of sin try to look like angels of God. Even false prophets look good at times.

Is there a faster way to find out? Yes, there is - Jesus will address that shortly afterwards. But first he warns the false prophets: "Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" (v. 19).

Build on rock

The Sermon on the Mount ends with a challenge. After hearing Jesus, the people had to decide whether they wanted to be obedient. “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven” (v. 21). Jesus is implying that everyone must call him Lord. But words alone are not enough.

Even miracles done in Jesus' name are not enough: "Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? Haven't we cast out evil spirits in your name? Have we not done many miracles in your name?

Then I will confess to them: I have never known you; Depart from me, you evildoers” (vv. 22-23). Here Jesus indicates that he will judge all mankind. The people will answer to him and it is described whether there will be a future for them with or without Jesus.

Who can be saved? Read the parable of the wise builder and the foolish builder: "Therefore whoever hears these words of mine, and does them..." Jesus equates his words with his Father's will. All must obey Jesus as they obey God. People will be judged according to their behavior towards Jesus. We all fail and need mercy and that mercy is found in Jesus.

Whoever builds on Jesus “is like a wise man who built his house on rock. So when there was a downpour, and the waters came, and the winds blew and blew against the house, it did not fall; for it was founded on rock" (verses 24-25). We don't have to wait for the storm to know what will eventually come of it. If you build on bad ground, you will suffer great damage. Anyone who tries to base their spiritual life on anything other than Jesus is building on sand.

"And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished this speech," that the people were astonished at his teaching; for he taught them with authority, and not as their scribes” (verses 28-29). Moses spoke in the name of the Lord and the scribes spoke in the name of Moses. But Jesus is Lord and spoke with His own authority. He claimed to teach the absolute truth, to be the judge of all mankind, and the key to eternity.

Jesus is not like the law teachers. The law was not comprehensive and behavior alone is not enough. We need the words of Jesus and he sets the requirements that no one can fulfill on his own. We need mercy, with Jesus we can be confident to receive it. Our eternal life depends on how we respond to Jesus.

by Michael Morrison


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