Chapter 5
Jesus preaches the
Sermon on the Mount—Its teachings replace and transcend some aspects of the law
of Moses—All are commanded to be perfect like their Father in Heaven.
People began to follow Jesus as He went throughout the
land. Matthew tells us, having seen the
multitudes following Him, he went up a mountain.[1]
Who was Jesus’s audience for this sermon? Verse 1 tells His
disciples came to Him. It appears this sermon was intended for His disciples,
not for the multitude. At the end of the sermon, JST Matthew 7:36 tells us, “And
it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings with his disciples, the people astonished at his doctrine.”
While His words may have been directed towards His
disciples, others heard His words.
Who were His disciples? Dr. Judd explains, “The word
‘disciples’ is a translation of the Greek Mathētēs,
and it refers to a pupil or apprentice. Hence, ‘the term “disciple” means one
who is accepted by contract to be a student, much as one would become an
apprentice in a trade.’ On the other hand, ‘apostle’ is a translation of the
Greek apostolos and has a reference to
a delegate or messenger. Thus the word ‘apostle’ means ‘someone who is sent’
and who shares the authority of the one who sends, as his representative. These
comments mean that disciples and Apostles are not necessarily the same. All
Apostles are disciples but not all disciples are Apostles.”
He began by teaching the Beatitudes.
What are Beatitudes? “The Beatitudes are both
characteristics of, and conditions enjoyed by, the exalted – those who are or
will be recipients of eternal life. The word ‘beatitude’ is derived from the
Latin ‘beatus,’ meaning ‘to be happy,
prosperous, abundant, rich, or blessed…’”[2]
He begins by telling us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit [IE
poor in pride, humble in spirit; 3 Ne. 12:3 reads “… the poor in spirit who
come unto me.”]: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Andrew Skinner explains, “The Greek term for ‘poor’ used
here by Matthew, ptōchoi, originally
denoted ‘begging,’ but in this passage the term means ‘dependent on others for
support’ or ‘those who are poor in the world’s estimation.’ This fits perfectly
with the fuller accounts of this beatitude in 3 Nephi[3]
and in the Joseph Smith Translation, wherein the poor in spirit are blessed or
happy if the come unto Christ, on whom all of us are dependent. In fact, all of
the Beatitudes may be read more profitably by inserting the phrase ‘who come
unto me’ for, in truth that is the implication in all of them.”[4]
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted”
(Matthew 5:4).
“Of all the Beatitudes, this one may appear to be the most
difficult to comprehend at first glance. … To mourn is to show grief or pain at
the loss of something precious … [T]he Lord promised His disciples … He would
give rest and comfort to all who labored and were heavy laden[5]
if, again, they came unto Him.”[6]
“Blessed are the meek [GR gentle, forgiving, or benevolent;
the Hebrew in Ps. 37:11[7]
characterizes as the humble those who have suffered.]: for they shall inherit
the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
“The meek are not weak, for Jesus was the meekest of men.
This quality might be defined as poise under pressure, patience in the fact of
provocation. Peter’s first epistle tells us that though Jesus was reviled, He did
not revile in return.[8]
Meekness is one of the clearest reflections of how closely a disciple’s
personality or makeup, or even reactions, mirror those of the Savior.”[9]
[1] I used The Life
and Teachings of Christ, Vol. 1: From Bethlehem through the Sermon on the
Mount, The Setting of the Sermon on the Mount, Dr. Frank F. Judd, Jr. as a
source for information dealing with the Sermon on the Mount.
[2] The Life and
Teachings of Christ, Vol. 1: From Bethlehem through the Sermon on the Mount, A Reading of the Sermon on the Mount: A
Restoration Perspective, Andrew C. Skinner.
[3] “Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto
me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (3 Nephi 12:3).
[4] The Life and
Teachings of Christ, Vol. 1: From Bethlehem through the Sermon on the Mount, A Reading of the Sermon on the Mount: A
Restoration Perspective, Andrew C. Skinner.
[5] “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me; for I am meek [GR gentle and humble] and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls.
“For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
[6]
The Life and Teachings of Christ, Vol. 1:
From Bethlehem through the Sermon on the Mount, A Reading of the Sermon on the Mount: A Restoration Perspective, Andrew
C. Skinner.
[7] “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall
delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalms 37:11).
[8] “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).
[9]
The Life and Teachings of Christ, Vol. 1:
From Bethlehem through the Sermon on the Mount, A Reading of the Sermon on the Mount: A Restoration Perspective, Andrew
C. Skinner
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