Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

by John Herman

Day 1 – Read Matthew 4:17-25.
In these verses, Jesus announces the imminent arrival of the kingdom of God, and he begins to call people to become his disciples. In what ways does God’s kingdom seem present to you? In what ways does it seem “not yet?” For another look at the nature of the kingdom Jesus is bringing, read Luke 4:16-30. Compare the words Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 with the opening words of the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes: 5:3-12). Taken together, these words of Jesus begin to give us a picture of the kingdom of God. This week we begin our study of the Sermon on the Mount. Pray that God will make this a fruitful study in your life, and in the life of Peace.

Day 2 – Read Matthew 13:44-46.
Matthew groups all of the parables in this one chapter. The parables are another way that Jesus expresses the nature and the call of the kingdom of God. What do these two brief parables teach us about the kingdom Jesus is bringing? With what kind of attitude should it be pursued? How do you relate these parables to Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:33, to seek first God’s kingdom? Allow this to be the center of your prayer today.

Day 3 – Read Matthew 9:9-13 and Hosea 6:4-6.
Jesus continues to call people to become his disciples, in this story Matthew the tax collector. It seems that Matthew invited many of his friends (fellow tax collectors) to a dinner to meet Jesus. When the Pharisees complain that Jesus is not keeping the ritual purity laws by eating with “sinners,” Jesus tells them to go and study their scriptures (the prophet Hosea), where God says: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” How does that statement characterize the ministry of Jesus? What guidance does it have for your own life?

Day 4 – Read Exodus 20:1-21.
In this passage, the Ten Commandments are given to the people of Israel. Notice the words that God speaks immediately before the commandments are delineated (20:2). Even the commandments are given in a context of grace. God has delivered the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, and is leading them through the wilderness toward their promised land. The commandments are given to shape the people as God’s people and provide a foundation for their life together. Do you understand God’s commandments as gracious? For your good and the good of others? Which commandments are the most difficult for you? Why? Pray about this.

Day 5 – Read Matthew 5:17-20 and Romans 3:27-31.
We saw in an earlier reading this week that Jesus was accused of setting aside some of the ritual traditions. But in this reading (Matthew 5:17-20) Jesus proclaims that he has not come to abolish (overthrow) the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. What does Jesus mean? How does he fulfill them? Then Jesus raises the bar for his followers, telling them that their righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. What is righteousness? How do we obtain a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees? Does God’s will go beyond what the law requires? When Jesus commands the disciples to go and make disciples of all peoples and to teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded them, to what teachings or commandments do you think Jesus is referring (Matthew 28:16-20)? What commandments of Jesus are central in your life?