- Using our rules of hermeneutics, how do we interpret "the people dwelling in darkness?"
- Literal would not make common sense
- It is a quote from a prophet in poetic form (high in imagery)
- The average person would recognize that the darkness is blinded by something (in this case sin and the law)
- So verse 4:17 and later 16:21 represent major divisions in the ministry chronologically. So even though we have a thematic approach, chronology or the importance of it, is not ignored. What do you think the break is here?
- We move from a private ministry to public preaching
- Later Jesus withdraws from a public preaching to focus on teaching his disciples
- The clause “From that time Jesus” (Gr. apo tote epxato Iesous) is very significant in Matthew’s Gospel. He used it only twice, here and in 16:21, and in both instances it indicates a major change in Jesus’ ministry (Kingsbury, p. 161). Here it signals the beginning of Jesus’ public preaching. Until now, His ministry had been to selected individuals and groups, which John’s Gospel records. Jesus “went public” after John had ended his ministry of preparing Israel for her Messiah. (Constable, T. (2003). Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Mt 4:14). Galaxie Software.)
- Review place in the timeline
- Obviously there is a pattern here, what are the elements of the pattern?
- Each starts out with the word "Blessed"
- Matthew 5:10 (AMP) — 10 Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
- There is a condition or state
- There is a result (better term is reward)
- Look at the states only -- what do we see?
- This word is overused but it is the best I could think of -- "counter culture"
- Personal, emotional, soft terms
- Look at the results only -- what do we see?
- The reward or blessings are ...
- Spiritual, not physical
- Heavenly, not earthly
- Unseen, not seen
- What is Jesus' point?
- You are supposed to be different
- Are we different?
- Do we blend in?
- Would anyone accuse us of being a Christian, not based on what we do on Sunday, but on the basis of how we treat people (the items listed above)?
- This is a difficult passage and goes to the heart of theological differences among believers. Applying our hermeneutical principles, we first see that (Observations -- what does it say?)
- Jesus did not come to abolish the law
- Jesus came to fulfill the law
- There is some question as to what he means by "these commandments" as opposed to using the phrase "the commandments"
- Some have interpreted the sermon on the mount as evangelistic since verse 20 says that their righteousness must exceed the religious leaders. Also, verse 48 which says you must be perfect
- Greek word for abolish is katalusai meaning "to destroy utterly, to overthrow completely, to dissolve"
- So, he does not mean that … so why did he say it?
- Because, it does appear that he will dissolve or overthrow the law …
- That is one of the charges against Jesus
- We need to apply one more hermeneutical principle to understand what "not abolish" means
- Scripture must agree with scripture (cross-references)
- The NT letters teach that the law was abolished, dissolved, …
- And the next few verses in the sermon on the mount clearly teach that it was changed, mostly expanded, but at least in one or two cases, changed!
- What is the conclusion that fits with all of scripture?
- Jesus in his life did not destroy the law, he couldn't, he would be a sinner under the old covenant
- Jesus in his life fulfilled the OT law completely
- Jesus was obligated the OT blessings by his obedience in life, instead he took on the OT curses by being hanged on the cross
- In his life, he fulfilled the law, but in his death, he abolished the OT law
- What is the pattern here?
- The phrase "You have heard that it was said"
- Why not "it was written" as Jesus used with Satan?
- It could be a contrast between what the Pharisees said and what the Law meant
- A clarification, extension, or change to a previous OT law
- Now, in context, Jesus' statement to not abolish or dissolve the law seems very different since he is making wholesale changes -- changes that make it impossible to keep the law even for the shortest period of time
- I think the sermon on the mount is about the new covenant
- It is about the heart
- It is about eternal rewards
- It is about the fact that no one is worthy of spiritual salvation
- It is about the fact that no one can keep the law without sinning
- We have the same responsibility now as the Jewish nation was given previously. We are to live in such a way, that people are drawn to the gospel
Outline:
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Matt 1
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Genealogy of the
King
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Matt 2
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Reception of
King: Worship, Hostility; Apathy
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Matt 3
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Preparation for
King; Authority Declared
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Matt 4
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Interaction with
the King: Satan; People; Disciples; Sick
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Matt 5-7
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Message of the
King
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Matt 8
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Authority of the
King
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Matthew 4:12–17 (ESV) —
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into
Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum
by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of
the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of
death,
on them a light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 5:1–12 (ESV) —
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down,
his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter
all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:13–16 (ESV) —
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how
shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to
be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be
hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may
see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:17–20 (ESV) —
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I
have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an
iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and
teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,
but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of
heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds
that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 10:4 (ESV) — 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness
to everyone who believes.
Ephesians 2:15 (ESV) — 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in
ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two,
so making peace,
Hebrews 7:18–19 (ESV) — 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set
aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law
made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced,
through which we draw near to God.
Colossians 2:14 (ESV) — 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against
us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Romans 6:14 (ESV) — 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you
are not under law but under grace.
Galatians 3:10 (ESV) — 10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a
curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things
written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Matthew 5:21–22 (ESV) — 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old,
‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be
liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council;
and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Matthew 5:27–28 (ESV) — 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not
commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman
with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:33–34 (ESV) — 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of
old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have
sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all,
either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
Matthew 5:38–39 (ESV) — 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an
eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not
resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn
to him the other also.
Matthew 5:43–45 (ESV) — 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love
your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you,
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes
his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on
the unjust.
Matthew 5:48 (ESV) — 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.
APPLICATION:
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