CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION A COURSE ON MATTHEW'S
GOSPEL LESSON 5: THE TEACHING OF JESUS
(Matthew chapter 5)
Chapters 5 to 7 of Matthew's Gospel are often called the 'Sermon on the Mount'. On a hillside in
Galilee, his disciples were privileged to listen to the finest of all moral teaching from their
Lord's lips. We know from chapter 7 verses 28-29 that Jesus' words impressed the crowds who heard
him. Doubtless he had spoken like this at other times, as in Luke chapter 6, the 'Sermon on the
Plain'.
It is clear from Jesus' words that Christian believers should behave very differently from other
men and women. Verses 3 to 12 show some of the qualities which God is looking for, and which He
will reward with His blessing.
From verse 17 onwards, Jesus shows us that he has not come to destroy the laws given by God to
Moses, but to fulfil them - to show their full meaning. In many ways these laws pointed forward to
the Lord Jesus himself. However, it is the spirit of the laws which really matters. For example,
not only is it wrong to commit adultery, but it is also wrong to let lustful thoughts grow in our
minds because these wrong thoughts lead to wrong a cts. In the same way we should control our anger
because that is the first stage to becoming a murderer.
We are told not to swear (make an oath). When we say we will do something we should try our best to
do what we have said. Our 'yes' should mean 'yes'. If someone says 'yes' just to please but fails
to do what he said, he may not be trusted again. 
QUESTIONS on Matthew chapter 5
- (a) What is the reward of the poor in spirit? (verse 3)
(b) What is the reward of the meek? (verse 5)
(c) Where will the kingdom of heaven be?
- What examples does Jesus give to show that the spirit (true meaning) of God's law is important?
- What does Jesus mean when he says that we should be 'the salt of the earth' and 'the light of
the world'?
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