The Gospel of Matthew: Chapter Five

Let us take a look at how Jesus presented the Word in its rawest form. He did not beat around the bush or scope the audience to decide what was feasible to preach.

St.Matthew 5:1

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

The multitude was drawn to Jesus because they saw the Spirit of God in Him. Jesus had performed many miracles of healings in Galilee and these miracles opened up the door for the Sermon on the Mount also known as the Beatitudes. It prepared the multitude to receive instructions from one in whom there appeared a divine presence and power. Jesus was at this point able to direct them to the Kingdom that He represented. This is also our responsibility to the world. God has used our lives to show the world His presence and power. Many have been to the point of death and hopelessness not only physically, but also spiritually, and saw the divine working power of God in our lives and that has opened up the door for us to direct them to the Kingdom of God that we represent.

St.Matthew 5:2-12

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 they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

BLESSED (bles'-ed) (barukh): Where man is in mind it is used in the sense of "happy" or "favored," and most frequently so in the Psalms and the Gospels, as for example, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps 1:1); "Blessed art thou among women" (Luke 1:42); "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matt 5:3). (from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)

I want us to consider the words of Paul as we look at the natural definition of the word ‘blessed’ and compare it with how Jesus uses it in the Beatitudes. Here we will see the importance of being in the Spirit. Paul says in

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Blessed means favored or happy, but who is the man that can be happy or even feel favored of God when he is persecuted, going through trials and temptations, or suffering? It is the man who has taken on the mind of Christ. Jesus wanted to encourage His disciples that they were blessed. They were about to be taken from a life that had been established by the frailty of man and placed into a life that was established by God.

We seem to spend all our lives pursuing happiness. Jesus teaches us what will bring true happiness and contentment, but as we can see it is a far cry from what we have pursued. We have been made to believe that the rich and famous are the blessed. We covet the “good life” and those who enjoy it. But Jesus came to dispel that myth and show us that happiness is found in Him, whether rich or poor. The gospel is universal. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Colossians 2:9-11

A sad truth in the Body of Christ is that even the Church now teaches that we are blessed when we obtain the things of this world and the Gospel of Christ is now being presented in a way that strengthens this mind in the saints. Let us keep in mind that Jesus came to reform or bring light in the midst of darkness. Jesus taught the people from the mind of the Spirit. He knew their views on these issues, but yet He never compromised righteousness because He was experiencing the joy and peace that also awaits those who will walk after the Spirit.

The multitude followed Jesus for the miracles He had performed and He knew this was the case, yet He did not withhold anything from them. He took the opportunity to bless them further solidifying the spirit of the message He preached to them. Jesus’ teachings here are literal. He plainly discloses the mind of God as it relates to His expectations of us, and what we, in turn, would expect from Him. He says,

1.“The poor in spirit are happy”(v. 3): the ones who are willing to deny themselves and find contentment in whatever state they find themselves. Many are poor as it relates to worldly wealth, but are high-minded and full of pride. These people will never be able to receive from God. They will always strive to obtain more; feeling cheated, murmuring, complaining, and are never able to be content as we are commanded. Even the rich in the world must be poor in spirit, that is, they must not feel superior to those who have less than they do. The rich, too, must be able to be content in poverty. Paul said that he learned how to be abased and how to abound. A good example of a high mind or being “rich in spirit” is the church at Laodicea.

Revelation 3:17-18

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

On the other hand, Paul is a great example of what Jesus teaches as poor in spirit. He excelled most in gifts and the things of this world, but yet humbled himself.

Philippians 3:4-7

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

2. They that mourn are happy(v. 4): Jesus is speaking of a godly sorrow, a sorrow for sin, knowing that we are separated from God and not being content in that state. There are those who sin and are in sorrow as Esau, only for the consequences and not out of regard to God's holiness. God shall comfort those who have a godly sorrow. He will give them comfort, grace and peace even in temptation. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are temptedHebrews 2:18

3. The meek are happy (v. 5): “The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to His word and to His rod, who follow His directions, and comply with His designs, and are gentle towards all men (Titus 3:2); who can bear provocation without being inflamed by it; are either silent, or return a soft answer; and who can show their displeasure when there is occasion for it, without being transported into any indecencies; who can be cool when others are hot; and in their patience keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else. They are the meek, who are rarely and hardly provoked, but quickly and easily pacified; and who would rather forgive twenty injuries than revenge one, having the rule of their own spirit. Not that they shall acquire the earth as it relates to possession of land, but meekness promotes a less stressful life here on earth compared with the froward and turbulent.” (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

We have a tendency to label someone who is quiet as meek, but that is not the case. Meekness is submission, not only outwardly but also inwardly. The natural eye will define meekness as weakness. But Jesus says they are blessed, even though they may seem to be the ones who are easily taken advantage of. They shall inherit the earth.

4. They that hunger and thirst after righteousness are happy, (v. 6): Those who desire to see righteousness prevail even if it causes them to be humiliated, deprived or taken advantage of. Our desire for righteousness must be so great that it supersedes the desires of the flesh.

5. The merciful are happy, (v. 7): Again, Christ is going against what would seem to be the obvious; in this world the merciful are looked at as being gullible, but because they give and forgive. Christ calls them blessed. We partake of God’s mercy every day of our lives; we deserved death but instead He blessed us with life and an opportunity to gain eternal life. Because we can recognize and appreciate the mercy He has given to us, we can now show mercy to the poor, the wretched, the guilty, it shows that we are like our Father.

6. The pure in heart are happy, (v. 8): Those whose minds, motives, and actions are pure. The pure in heart seek to be holy in heart and are less concerned with how they are perceived. “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.”

7. The peacemakers are happy, (v. 9): Those who strive to prevent contention, strife, and war; that use their influence to bring reconciliation. The peacemaker does not interfere with the move of the Holy Ghost in his life or in the lives of others.

8. Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, are happy: To persecute means literally to afflict, bringing injury or distress; to be oppressed because of religion; in our case because of our beliefs; to slander ones name or reputation, or to take ones life, on account of their religious opinions. "All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,"2 Tim 3:12.

Many have accepted the faith and prosperity message because it caters to the flesh, but Jesus teaches the complete opposite. God made a statement that was recorded in Dr. Banks’ “The Gift is Holy” series, He said, “The only way that the Kingdom is going to be revealed is through suffering”.

9. Happy are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. We are ambassadors for Christ, charged with the ministry of reconciliation. That is our purpose. To work this ministry we must not lay sin to the charge of those who revile and persecute us. This purity of heart will maintain our joy. St.Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Do not take offense to persecution, but see it as a privilege. We have an opportunity to suffer for the sake of Christ. We have not encountered nearly the persecution or humiliation Christ suffered. The Beatitudes show the mind of the Kingdom. If we are to be citizens of the Kingdom of God, we have to relinquish the mind and emotions of the world and put on the mind of Christ. This mind is found inside of the Beatitudes and the remaining part of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD

1 John 3:1-3

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Yes, we are the sons of God! What exactly does this mean? It is important for us to understand the mind of God in this matter. Otherwise, we will never come to a place that manifests true sonship and this will be just another study guide with more information. We have to go into this study, and any other study for that fact, with the mind of a son.

For many years we have read the Word and taught it to the people of God. However, the Church has not produced the character of the scriptures in the Body of Christ at large. Why, because many of us have allowed our hearts to reject the Word. There has been an academic perception and acceptance of the Word for so long until there are no aspirations in the minds of the saints of God to reach the mark of perfection in their walk.

As we continue to dissect the fifth chapter of Matthew, I want you to keep in mind that we must stand in the position of a son. We can see Jesus continuing to establish the Kingdom of God in the midst of a perverse nation. Jesus had no reservations about who He was and what He had to accomplish on this earth. He knew that His flesh would have to suffer and even though He had the ability to relieve Himself of the suffering, He never once considered it. He was well aware of what it would cost Him to enjoy a moment of pleasure and relief. This is where we oftentimes will not reside; we would rather take a chance, in the name of God’s mercy and grace not considering how much sin and compromise weakens our testimony.

So many times in the Body of Christ, we see men and women who have sold out the gift for fame, fortune and/or prestige. The gift will draw the multitude, but what will they experience when they are up close and personal with us? It is at these times that our faith and sonship are tested. Will they still entertain the presence and power of God? Or will they entertain flesh with a “deeper revelation” than what they have heard preached?

St.Matthew 5:13-16

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We are characterized as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt is a preservative; it gives flavor. It was used to restore and also as a medicine to purge the bowels. There is a vast distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil -- there is no gray area or middle of the road. This distinction is seen in our lifestyle; the way we respond to the things of this world. If our lifestyle does not exemplify the Kingdom then Jesus says that our salt has lost its savor. The light that we are is hid and we become an enemy of God and worth nothing but to be cast aside.

St. Matthew 5: 17-20

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus wanted them to know that He was not there to set Himself against the Law, He knew that the Law was written of Him; however He did come to destroy the false and promiscuous interpretations they had established as Law. They yoked the people with ordinances and rituals that they could not keep themselves. Jesus came to establish the righteousness that was in the Law, making manifest ordinances and rituals that could not be accomplished.

Romans 2:29

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The work that God did in us was done in and by the Spirit. Our God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. We were created in the Spirit and all that we do must be done in the Spirit. It is going to be impossible for us to make it in God walking after the flesh. When we try to accomplish the works of God and walk according to the dictates of the flesh as these Jews did, we take on an impossible task that opens up the door for failure and frustration, which always leads to sin. This is where the enemy gains his ground in our lives. He systematically moves us to a place where we have difficulty believing the infallible Word of God. We begin to question the preserving power of the Spirit and therefore we have to trust in what we have ascertained mentally. There is no other recourse but to respond the same as described in Romans 10:2-4.

Apostle Michael describes it as, “trying to redefine holiness”. We become as the scribes and Pharisees; hypocrites . . . Knowing and teaching the ways of God, but unable to produce the power found inside the character of the scripture. Jesus states this in St.John 5:39-42 in His response to the Jewish council as they accused Him of healing on the Sabbath . . . Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life . . . . Jesus continues and plainly tells the scribes and Pharisees that He knows them (knowing their hearts, because they wanted to kill Him) that ye have not the love of God in you. Saints, we do not want to be typed as those scribes, knowing the Word of God, but without the true character of love as defined in the scripture because we refuse to deny our ways.

Romans 10:2-4

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

When we cannot or refuse to produce the righteousness or holiness of the New Creature that we are, we tend to accept unrighteousness and sin; thereby becoming an advocate for it. We see the Lord in the following scriptures deals specifically with the natural and then moves directly to the Spirit. Why would He do this? Jesus was teaching His disciples His heart and mind as opposed to established religious practices. Even though they had yet to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, He wanted them to know (experience) and see the distinction of the old (natural) man and the new (spiritual) creature they were about to become.

Let us take notice that the Spirit of every commandment, in the following verses, focuses in on the disposition of the heart (the thoughts, feelings and emotions) and not on external acts. It goes past what is comfortable to the flesh and targets those things that can only be accomplished by those walking in the Spirit. Jesus had absolutely no regard for the flesh. He went so far as to say: And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out . . And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee . .

St.Matthew 5:29-30.

St.Matthew 5:21-42

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

If we are not in the Spirit then we may feel that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is a bit extreme, but Jesus was talking to those He knew were going to truly become His disciples even though they had not as yet received Him. Though it seems we are the doormat, instead of light and salt, Jesus knew that the Holy Ghost was a Comforter and that He would absorb the devastation of the flesh. Let us continue with

St. Matthew 5:43. To believe the way the scripture has said is to go past the academics of the Word into the Spirit in which the Word was written. Now, how many of us can really come into oneness with the Word--can we believe this for our own lives? For example, Jesus teaches… “love your enemies.” However, He does not just say, “love your enemies,” but ministers the spirit of “love your enemies.”

St.Matthew 5:43-48

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

We are indeed a new breed and all that it takes to satisfy us is in and of the Spirit. Therefore, these teachings that Christ has established are not bondage, as we have seen them in the past, but are characteristic of the new creature we have become. We have to begin to look at the Word from the position of the Spirit. If we stand in the flesh we will always stand in the frustrations of the flesh and see the true righteousness and holiness of the scriptures as just something to reach for, but never with the expectation of ever achieving it. Flesh cannot and will never be able to produce righteousness. No matter, how morally stable or academically astute we become, we cannot please God unless we worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

The last verse is very important. In order to be perfect, the same as the Father, we must walk in the Spirit of the Word. Stop the natural and learned behavior and let the true worshippers come forth! Now this is not a superficial, academic response. No, it is the disposition of the heart. It is the emotions of the new creature that are now able to express the mind of Christ. This expression of Christian emotions is the only distinction between the believer and the unbeliever. We can do the things Christ taught and feel the emotions He felt, simply because we now have the mind of Christ within.

There are those of us who have believed and now find ourselves actually walking in the Kingdom of God. We are experiencing the mind of Christ, the vastness of spiritual resources in the Kingdom and the blessedness of obeying the Father.