DAY 1
Read: Matthew 5:1-2
Consider Jesus' posture. He sat on a hillside and spoke to the crowd. Imagine what he would have looked like. Was he sitting with his knees up, resting his elbows or forearms on them, gesturing with his hands as he spoke? Were his legs crossed, hands in his lap or in front of him? Take a moment to paint a mental image of Jesus posture. How do you see him?
What affect does this posture have on the mood or feeling of intimacy during this sermon? He is not likely to be speaking feverishly or wagging his finger at people (though I can't imagine Jesus ever wagged his finger). This type of speech would more likely be accompanied by a standing posture. I imagine a more calm, fire-side chat kind of demeanor. Emotional, compelling, heartfelt.
Listen for a tone and inflection to match your mental image of Jesus. Then, read the whole Sermon on the Mount with that tone and posture in your mind. Try to hear the his words as they were likely originally spoken.
DAY 2
Read Matthew 5:3-10
Instead of simply reading the passage, ask yourself "How" or "Why" for these verses. Asking these simple questions will help reveal the meaning and purpose behind the words spoken by Jesus to his disciples. Reread the following and consider the questions that follow.
5:3 - "Poor" means "poor in spirit." We need God because of our sin nature (Romans 7, 8). "Theirs" is a plural possessive pronoun. Therefore, the Kingdom of God belongs to those who realize they need God. What does this mean? Why does it belong to them, as opposed to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6)?
5:7 and Luke 7:37-38 - There are two accounts of The Sermon on the Mount. As is true with most occurrences of multiple accounts, some details are the same in both accounts, some are slightly different, and certain details are included in one account but not the other.
These two passages are unique to the book in which they are written, but they are linked to one another. How are they connected?
5:10 - "...For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Here we have another passage that indicates those to whom the Kingdom of Heaven belongs. The second half of verse 10 is the same as the second half of verse three. Why are these blessings the same?
By contrast, Jesus does not say that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, but he does say that it is for those who are persecuted because of righteousness. What is the distinction? Why is that important?
DAY 3
Read Luke 7:24-26
What is the bottom line here? "Now" is repeated in almost every verse. What point is Jesus making?
DAY 4
Read Matthew 5:13
Salt is a common seasoning today, was in Jesus' day and culture, too. It was inexpensive and very versatile. Used in many dishes, even just a pinch enhances a meal greatly. When salt loses that which makes it such a great addition to a meal, it is worthless. We don't use it anymore.
You are the salt of the earth. If you lose that which enables you to enrich the life of those around you, "you are no longer good for anything." When we adhere to the ways of this world we lose our saltiness and God has no use for us. These are Jesus words.
Pray for God to reveal the things in your life that are causing you to lose saltiness. Ask God to eradicate those things or to put them in their proper place behind Him so that you may continue to be useful to Him. If you need to change direction, repent. Ask God for his strength to be perfected in your weakness and to do a mighty work in you, to you, and through you.
DAY 5
Read Matthew 5:14-16
I can't help but think of the children's song, "This Little Light of Mine" when I read this passage. (And, you are welcome for having it stuck in your head for the rest of the day.) Jesus paints a beautiful word picture here. You are not meant to hide your little light. Don't forget the strength of a single match in a pitch black room. The world is shrouded in darkness. A little light goes a long way. Don't dim your light by living inconsistently. Don't allow the world to put it out. Let it shine.
Try something tonight. When the sun has set and it is nice and dark outside, go into a room with a candle and turn off all the lights. Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Light the candle. Sit in meditative silence as the light fills the room. Close your eyes for 10 or 20 seconds and open them again. All of a sudden, you can see so much more than before. This is you, be the light in the darkness.
Now imagine that same intensity of darkness, but with a city on a hill as the only visible light. Not a collection of candles, but a city. This our local church body. If your candle can light a room, a city on a hill can light miles and miles of land. We are called to live, pray, and worship in the Body. The illuminating power of Christ is magnified exponentially when we do.
Pray: Father God, make me a light for you. Don't let me grow dim in the darkness. Make "a light before men." Amen.
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We will continue with Matthew 5 and excerpts from Luke 7 next time we meet.
Please be in prayer for Sunday.
See you then, at the Hunts' house!
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