Like Moses on Mount Sinai, Jesus went up a mountain to teach. Matthew gathers this teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, chapters 5 to 7. It begins with the Beatitudes: blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted.
Jesus said He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He takes the commandments to the heart: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not kill.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother…” Not only our actions matter, but also our thoughts and desires.
Some of Jesus' teachings are among the hardest words ever spoken:
- Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
- Turn the other cheek: do not pay back evil with evil.
- Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.
- Do to others whatever you would have them do to you (the Golden Rule).
Jesus warned against doing good just to be seen. Give to the poor, pray and fast in secret, “and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” In the middle of the sermon, He taught His disciples the Our Father, the perfect prayer.
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” Salt keeps food from spoiling and gives it flavor; light shows the way. Disciples are not meant to hide their faith, but to let their good works shine so that others give glory to God.
Jesus ended with a story. A wise man built his house on rock, and a foolish man built his on sand. When the storm came, only the house on rock stood. Hearing Jesus' words is not enough; we must build our lives on them.