Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

   "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Persecution

• By the second century, it was a capital offense merely to be a Christian.
• Tertullian (around the year 200) writes, “You put Christians on crosses and stakes. ...We are cast to the wild beasts. ...We are burned in the flames. ...We are condemned to the mines. ...We are banished to the islands.” Tertullian, Apology 12 (ANF 3.28).
• Lactantius adds, “They torture, put to death, and banish the worshippers of the Most High God—that is, the righteous. Yet, those who hate us so vehemently are unable to give a reason for their hatred.”  Lactantius, Divine Institutes 5.1 (ANF 7.135).

Blessed?

• The world may consider us to be losers, but in fact we’re on the winning side. We are on God’s side!
• "Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy (Isa 61:7).
• We may excluded now, but a reversal is on the way—if not in this life, then surely in the next. Oppressors misuse their power—but ultimately ours is the kingdom of heaven (where the real power is, in submission to our sovereign Lord).

For the right reason: 

• Jesus doesn't say the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are persecuted because of their wickedness or because of embracing a false religion.
• It must be "for righteousness' sake."

Kingdom of heaven:

• Matthew’s preferred term for the kingdom of God.
• It is the domain of the Lord, the realm in which his will is obeyed.
• The kingdom is on earth and in heaven; it is past, present and future; it is not an institution or church, but the reign of Jesus Christ.

When we're misrepresented:

Blessed are you when men speak abusively of you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you for my sake (Matt 5:11).

We're not blessed when we are needlessly offensive, or when we equate opinion matters or political positions or eccentric doctrines with Christianity. Jesus specifies that the perfection must "for my sake."

• Consider the slanders against Christians in the early centuries: The three most common false accusations current in the early Christianity were atheism, incest, and cannibalism. Athenagoras, A Plea for Christians 3 (ANF 2.130); Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 10 (ANF 1.199).
• Theophilus writes: “Godless lips falsely accuse us, ...alleging that we hold our wives in common and use them promiscuously. They even allege that we commit incest with our own sisters.”
• Tertullian reprimands the Romans: “Monsters of wickedness! We are accused of observing a holy rite in which we kill a little child and then eat him. It is said that after the feast, we practice incest. ...This is what is constantly laid to our charge. Yet, you take no pains to investigate the truth of what we have been accused of for so long.” Tertullian, Apology 7 (ANF 3.23).

How are we often misrepresented as Christians today? Christians are often called;

• Arrogant—think only you are right—because you share your faith. We are sharing God’s word, the good news, a cure, an opportunity, a message of the greatest importance.
• Cultic—because your local church expects more engagement than just showing up on Sunday
• Homophobic—even if we do love gays et al.
• Judgmental—even if all we are doing is taking a stand where Jesus took a stand
• Prudish or Puritanical—because we accept what God says about sexual purity
• Unpatriotic: Refuse to kill enemies in warfare—unpatriotic (doesn’t love his country), or is cowardly. Quite the opposite!

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, because great is your reward in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt 5:12).

• This is how early Christians responded. After the apostles had been imprisoned and threatened with further punishment by the Sanhedrin, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).
• Why should we be joyful about being slandered and persecuted?
  • If we faithfully endure persecution, our "reward in heaven is great."
  • We are like the OT prophets, who challenged the system.
• How’s our conviction?
  • Do we ever question or challenge the system?
  • Do we even see the need for prophetic voices to bring the Word of the Lord to the modern church?

The Beatitudes: the world's response

• Poor in spirit: We should please ourselves.
• Mourning: We should stay upbeat. Don’t overreact—sin is no big deal.
• Meek: Power is exalted! Trample the meek (the "losers").
• Hungry for righteousness: It's okay to support righteous causes—like cancer research—but don’t overdo it. A little corruption is no big deal. Look our for yourself.
• Merciful: Mercy is selective. No need to think about the pressing needs of world poverty etc.
• Pure: Who's to say what counts as purity? Don’t judge!
• Peacemaker: It's a good thing—though an even higher premium is placed on standing up for our rights.
• Persecuted: No way! We seek approval, cringing at the thought of being considered fanatical or extreme.

Final thoughts:

• Leadership: Again, as suggested, this isn’t a bad checklist if we’re seeking a spiritual leader. We may view the beatitudes as elements of a portrait of a godly man or women who will influence others for Christ.
• Memory: P-M-M-H-M-P-P-P. Learn the 8 beatitudes in order.

We're about 1/8th of the way through the SOM (12/91 verses). Next: Salt

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). 

"If most of us are honest with ourselves, we know that there are many ways in which our hearts are not at peace. We are wounded, insecure, resentful and lonely, and this restlessness within us causes us to anxiously defend our actions and opinions, to control others and to seek after their love and praise at all costs." — Jessica A. Wrobleski, "Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Living as Children of God" (Leaven, vol. 16, no. 54, 2008, p.161).

Peacemaking

• To make peace is to pacify…
  • Latin: Beati pacifici: quoniam filii dei vocabuntur.
  • Greek: Makarioi hoi eirēnopoiói, hoti autoi huioi theou klēthēsontai.
• It’s something active, not passive.
• Yes, the early church was pacifist—unanimously so, in its first three centuries.
  • They knew that fear, anger, and greed in the human heart are the causes of war.
  • Yet biblical pacifism is not passivism—nonchalant, aloof, uninvolved.
• Pacifism means caring about peace in the world. Justin Martyr told the Roman emperor, “More than all other men, we are your helpers and allies in promoting peace.” — Justin Martyr, First Apology 12 (ANF 1.166).

Examples of peacemaking

• The wise old woman of Abel (2 Sam 20:16-22). She averts destruction and carnage.
• The apostles (Acts 6). They come up with a plan, but entrust its execution to those most invested. The result is demographic harmony.
• James the brother of Jesus, at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). Each side presents its view point, they listen, and they compromise.

"Troublemakers"

• Even if we do our best to be respectful, gentle, and diplomatic, some will still consider us Christians as troublemakers.
  • If they rejected Jesus, they will not be happy with us, either (John 15:18).
  • Tertullus the lawyer accuses Paul in front of governor Felix: “For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5).
• "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:18).
• Yet peace is not the ultimate goal, since the truth divides (Matt 10:34).

Application

• Don't actively seek a quarrel, behave insensitively, or sow seeds of dissension.
• Followers of Christ take no pleasure in controversy, or in proving others wrong. No triumphalist spirit.
• Reject ideology and groups that promote violence. Jesus as peacemaker: Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52).
• When leaders are behaving egotistically or in ways that hurt Christian unity, speak up.
  • Jesus intervened when his own apostles were arrogant and jockeyed for position.
  • Paul spoke up when Peter crossed the line (Galatians 2:11).
• Allow for a certain level of disagreement.
  • Sometimes good-hearted (and intelligent) Christians will disagree.
  • 1 Cor 1:10 isn’t calling for uniformity of thought so much as unity of heart.
  • Let's watch ourselves:
    • Peace is ruined by insisting on our own way.
    • Or by arrogance: “It is not bigotry to be certain we are right, but it is bigotry to be unable to imagine how we might possibly have gone wrong.” – Chesterton
• Jesus expected us to do our best to work through disagreement—without acrimony (Matt 5:25-26; 18:15-20).
• Let's demonstrate the peace of Christ in our hearts!

Next: the final beatitude—on persecution

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

"Blessed are the pure in heart,
     for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

(1) PURITY: A constant theme in Jesus’ teaching is that God looks not only at outward actions, but at what goes on inside a person.

• “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasury of his heart brings forth good things. But an evil man out of his evil treasury brings forth evil things.” (Matt 12:34-35).
• “You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside may be clean also” (Matt 23:25,26).

This purity isn't physical or hygienic or even sexual—but inward:

• Proverbs 16:2: All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
• 1 Cor 4:5: Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
• Phil 1:18: But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
• There are many other passages on purity of motive:
  • “Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)
  • Plus Proverbs 4:23 and many more verses.

 (2) SEEING GOD: If the heart is right (pure), we can see God.

• Wrong motives block our vision of God -- as dust in the air makes it hard to see the stars at night.
  • Deliberate ignorance (Rom 1:18-21)
  • Deliberate sin (Eph 4:18-19)
• While no one can (fully) see God, we know him through Christ (John 1:18; 14:9). This means that the pure in heart are able to experience his love, power, and other attributes.
• Jesus is also talking about the age to come, when we’ll see God “as he is” (1 John 3:2).
  • “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself—as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)
  • Focus on Christ leads to transformation.

Application

1. Daily time to think on Christ.
   1. Devotional time
   2. When sorely tempted
2. Stop thinking of purity as an option
   1. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord
   2. More: CLEAN series (31 podcasts)
3. Take special note of others whose motives seem especially pure. Imitate them.

Next: Blessed are the Peacemakers

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

The 5th beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

My friend David Berçot is producing an Early Christian Study Bible—taking us through the scriptures and revealing how most early Christians (first 3 centuries) understood them. Not that the early Christians were without confusion, distortion, and even outright error. Yet on the whole they were far nearer to apostolic times than we are, and so we benefit from paying attention. I love the way David puts it:

• “One of the recurrent themes in Jesus’ teaching is that we will be judged the same way we judge others (Mt. 7:2). ‘If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses’ (Mt. 6:15). So if we want to obtain mercy from God, we must be merciful ourselves. In fact, Jesus designated justice, mercy, and faith as the ‘weightier matters’ of the Law (Mt. 23:23).”
• “The early Christians understood 'merciful' to also mean giving generously to the needy. Cyprian writes, ‘He shall not deserve the mercy of the Lord who himself has not been merciful. He who has not been humane towards the poor man’s entreaty shall not obtain anything from divine pity in his entreaties.’” Cyprian, On Works and Alms 5 (ANF 5.477).

After extending mercy to us, if we fail to extend mercy to others, our debt may be 'uncanceled"—we could be "unforgiven"! See Matthew 18:21-35 andHebrews 10:29.

Key points:

• Mercy is closely related to righteousness. See Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbling with your God?
• Being merciful isn’t only a recommendation. It’s essential to knowing God.
• James 2:13 – those who have not shown mercy: For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.
• For at the Judgment Day, in light of our sinfulness, our waywardness, we will not be asking for (strict) justice—but for mercy!

Next: The pure in heart…

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they will be satisfied."

What does this mean? Consider such passages as:

• “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4; see Deut. 8:3).
• “I am the bread of life,” and “If any man thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 6:35; 7:37).
• “As the hart pants after the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2).
• Do these passages explain the 4th beatitude? Do they clarify what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness? Not much, for there are multiple forms of hunger and thirst in Scripture.
• Rather, this passage centers on righteousness—justice.

Righteousness isn’t

• Knowledge of the Word.
• Being right with the Lord—longing for our own righteous standing before God.
• Desiring a relationship with God.

Righteousness is

• A desire for justice for oneself—especially when suffering oppression or injustice.
• A desire for justice for others—going hand-in-hand with concern for the poor and needy.
• 6:33—there is justice when all parties respect the Lordship of Jesus.
• (The N.T. word dikaiosune is related to the word dikaios, meaning upright or just.)

The Program of Isaiah 61

• Remember to see the Beatitudes in the light of Isaiah 61—Jesus' messianic program.
• This is tremendously good news, especially for those deprived of justice, the have-nots, the masses of the common people—as opposed to the religious aristocracy.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified….
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;
instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;
therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;
they shall have everlasting joy.

For the downtrodden, do these promises mean full deliverance, vindication, justice, satisfaction now?

• No.
• But a new day has dawned. Something has been set into motion—inaugurated, launched, underway.

What to do?

• Care about the less fortunate.
• Become aware (the news).
• Study the scriptures and develop a truly scriptural conviction about this important theme.
• Plug in somewhere:
  • Serving in a seniors home.
  • Volunteering in a soup kitchen.
  • Providing jobs for the disadvantaged.
  • Tackling the serious issue of human trafficking, or slavery.
    Serve in Doctors Without Borders, HOPEww, or another great organization.
  • Or make money and help to fund a worthwhile and effective program!

Don't dilute the punch of Matthew 5:6 by labeling it “the social gospel.”

• The gospel is good news for everyone—not just the middle class.
• It is especially good news for the god-fearing poor.
• In Corinth, most were poor; not many were high-born. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth (1 Cor 1:26). Yet many churches today are the opposite: many are well off, not many are poor.

Our next podcast—closely connected with this one—is on mercy.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)

• "Meek" is a word we seldom use. It does not mean "weak."
• It derives from the Old Norse mjúkr, meaning soft, pliant, gentle.
• Oxford English Dictionary:
  • Gentle, courteous, kind; merciful, indulgent.
  • Free from self-will; piously humble and submissive; patient and unresentful.
  • In physical applications: Not violent or strong; gentle.

What does meekness look like?

• Take a look at Mary in Luke 10:38-42.
• Early church: “You shall be meek, since ‘the meek shall inherit the earth.’ Be long-suffering, merciful, guileless, gentle and good. Always tremble at the instruction which you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself, nor let your soul get over-confident. Do not join your soul with the lofty ones. Rather, let it associate with the righteous and lowly.” Didache 7-9 (ANF 7.378), sometime close to the year 100 AD.
• The ultimate example of meekness was Jesus. He invited His followers with these words: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

Not weak!

• Some have the mistaken notion that a meek person is timid, dull, and non-assertive.
• However, Jesus, who set the standard for meekness, was none of those things. He demonstrated that a person can be bold and assertive and yet also be meek and lowly.

“Inherit the earth”?

• What did Jesus mean?
• Throughout history, the meek have often been deprived of their homes, lands, and other possessions by the wicked and powerful. So the inheritance must be in the next age, not this one.
• Earth = land in Hebrew—often referring to the land of Israel.
• We, however, understand the earth to be a planet—in essence, our world.
• So, the righteous will receive this inheritance at the resurrection (2 Peter 3:13-14).

Application

• Don’t respond to frustration with force—physical or verbal brutality.
• Don’t return violence with violence—big implications for politics, journalism, military might, and more.
• We need to learn to admire the quiet person who is godly. And learn to reject most of role models of the world.
• As we read through the gospels, try to notice the qualities of Jesus encapsulated in the Beatitudes (mourning, meekness, peacemaking, and so forth). He is the one we aim to emulate (Eph 5:1; 1 Cor 11:1).

Next: Hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

In the background there are well over 100 scriptural passages on mourning, like this one, where Jesus identifies himself and explains his ministry (see Luke 4:18).

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me...
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified (Isa 61:1-3).

Yet is mourning proper only on the occasion of death (as in Acts 8:2)?

• We grieve many things, like apostasy (a friend or family member goes back to world); loss of friendship—or more intensely, betrayal by a friend; lost opportunities; traumatic events like rape or becoming a refugees (mourning the loss of one's country; loss of health or youth; etc.)
• Yet I’m not so sure Jesus is talking here about those who mourn for various reasons.
  • After all, even certain animals grieve, though there is no reason to believe these emotions are spiritual.
  • David Bercot notes: "People in the world mourn over failed ambitions and other matters far removed from the kingdom. Instead, Jesus is primarily talking about those who mourn over their sins in true repentance." He directs us to the early church—for example, the following two writers, who lived in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries:
    • “Those who have repented of their former evil lives shall attain to the calling. For this is the meaning of being comforted.” Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 4.6
    • “We are to weep with those of whom the Lord says, ‘Blessed are those who weep [mourn], for they will be comforted.’ If anyone weeps over his own sins, if anyone is converted to repentance after committing transgressions and washes away his errors with tears, …we should join our tears and associate our groans with such persons.” Origen, Commentary on Romans 9.15

There are numerous gospel illustrations of men and women who mourned over their own sins in genuine godly repentance.

• The woman who wept at Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:37-38).
• The prodigal son (Luke 15:18-19).
• The tax collector at prayer (Luke 18:13).
• Peter after his denial (Matt 26:75).

Further:
 

• Remember also that Jesus wept over the sins of Jerusalem and the consequences that would come to it because of those sins (Luke 19:41).
• He also declared, “Woe to you who laugh now! For you shall mourn and weep” (Luke 6:25).
• Other relevant passages: James 4:8-10; 2 Cor 1:3-11; 7:10-11; Amos 6:6.

Wait for God's comfort.

• The beatitude (Matt 5:4) promises comfort—but when will the comfort come?
• In Lamentations 1-5 (lamentations are funeral dirges), the people of Judah grieve the loss of their city, temple, sovereignty, and much more. Yet God told them 70 years would elapse before they were returned to Jerusalem, as in Jeremiah 29:1,10.
• The widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17) was already grieving the loss of her son (and earlier, her husband), until Jesus halts the funeral procession.
• Mary, Martha, and others were grieving for Lazarus (John 11:1-44), yet Jesus delayed his raising of Lazarus from the dead by two additional days (John 11:6).

Application:

• Let's keep our hearts soft.
• Set aside devotional time every day.
• And reach out to others—comforting them in their mourning, and seeking those whose hearts are receptive to God's word.

Next: "Blessed are the meek..."

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

This is the first lesson in The Sermon on the Mount. The podcast (13 minutes) builds on the introductory lesson, explains the nature of a beatitude, and focuses especially on the Old Testament scriptures alluded to in Matthew 5:3.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).

There are at least 20 beatitudes uttered by Jesus in the N.T. (8 in Matthew, 4 in Luke, 1 in Acts, and 7 in Revelation).

• Beatitude < Latin beatitudo, or blessing. Each beatitude in Latin begins "Beati..."
• Perhaps "fortunate" would be a better rendering than "blessed" (too religious) or "happy" (too connected with the emotions).
• Isa 61:1-7 – seems to lie behind some of the beatitudes. This passage has also been called "The Nazareth Manifesto" (see Luke 4:18), in which the Lord lays out his agenda—and reveals his identity as Messiah:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;
foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;
6 but you shall be called the priests of the Lord;
they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;
you shall eat the wealth of the nations,
and in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;
instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;
therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;
they shall have everlasting joy.

• Proverbs 16:19: "It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor / than to divide the spoil with the proud."
• Isaiah 66:2:“I will look to this type of man, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit and who trembles at my word."
  • Openness to the Word.
  • Not insisting on our own viewpoint, but flexible and receptive to divine truth.
• Archelaus explains, "Jesus did not refer to those who are simply poor in worldly substance, but to those who are 'poor in spirit'—that is to say, who are not inflamed with pride, but have the gentle and lowly character of humility, not thinking more of themselves than they ought.” —Archelaus, The Disputation with Manes 42 (Antenicene Fathers 6.217), around the year 300 AD
• Interestingly, the Essenes at Qumran, who in the 1st centuries BC and AD had rejected the corrupt Jerusalem priesthood, described themselves as "poor in spirit" (1QM 14:7).
• Jesus set aside his heavenly privileges to become fully human, “lower than the angels” (Heb 2:9; Phil 2:3-8). He not only moved downward from heaven to earth, but from the table to his knees, as he washed his disciples' feet (John 13).
• As a spirited stallion needs to be "broken" before it is of use to its rider, so our spirits (where willful and self-focused) need to be broken before we are of use to our Master.

Application:

1. Let's not be full of ourselves. Consider Titus 3:2, where Paul urges us to “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
2. Being poor in spirit is especially important if we are influential or serving in positions of leadership.
3. Let's look to the Lord, and not trust in ourselves.

Next podcast: "Mourning" (Matt 5:4)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. (Matt 5:1-2 ESV)

• Mountains in the Bible are associated with Moses (Exod 19-20), Elijah (1 Kings), and Jesus.
• In Matthew, Jesus is found on mountains five times:Matt 4:8; 5:1; 14:23; 17:1-8; 28:16-20.
• Matthew presents Jesus as the Second Moses (see Deut 18), a teacher of God's truth to his people.
• Matthew has put Jesus' teaching into five blocks, like the five books of Torah (Gen-Deut) or the five books of Psalms. These blocks are Matt 5:1-7:29; 10:1-11:1; 13:1-53; 18:1-19:1; 23:1-26:1.
• For more on this, watch Jesus Is the Second Moses (13 minutes).
• Jesus and his disciples are seated—the normal position of a rabbi with his followers.
• Throughout his ministry, both men and women alike sat at Jesus' feet (Luke 10:38-42).
• We too must take time out to learn—to read and study…
• Through the disciples Jesus spread the message among the people (as in Matt 28:19-20).
• We may think of the eight beatitudes as a set of qualities. Jesus' focus is on the inner life, the kind of people we are, especially in difficult circumstances.

Next podcast: "Poor" (Matt 5:3)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is the section of the New Testament widely agreed to contain the very heart of Jesus’ kingdom message. The teachings were and still are remarkable and revolutionary. For just as by the Law God had been building an alternative community through the people of Israel, so Jesus Christ is creating an alternative communityin the world.

“After [two thousand] years the Sermon on the Mount still haunts men. They may praise it, as Mahatma Gandhi did; or like Nietzsche, they may curse it. They cannot ignore it. Its words are winged words, quick and powerful to rebuke, to challenge, to inspire. And though some turn from it in despair, it continues, like some mighty magnetic mountain, to attract to itself the greatest spirits of our [age]—many [of them] not Christians—so that if some world-wide vote were taken, there is little doubt that men would account [the Sermon on the Mount] ‘the most searching and powerful utterance we possess on what concerns the moral life.’” — A. M. Hunter, Design for Life: the Sermon on the Mount, 1953 (slightly adapted)

So, if you want to internalize Jesus’s key teachings, and if you're looking for somewhere to focus in your daily study and meditation, focus here!

The Plan

• Daily podcasts for 40 days. The first 10 are accessible to everyone; the remainder require login (website members). To become a member, click here.
• We will be taking our time as we study the 111 verses of the Sermon on the Mount.
• Most podcasts are 10-15 minutes in length.
• Focus: character, inner sanctity, obedience, and building our lives on the Word.

Supplement: Receive daily tweets from the Sermon on the Mount, beginning 1/1/2020. Click here.

Sermon on the Mount podcasts 1-40 are going live in 1 January-9 February 2020, a day at a time.

0 Dec—Haunting (intro)
1 Jan—Mountain (Matt 5:1-2)
2 Jan—Poor (Matt 5:3)
3 Jan—Mourning (Matt 5:4)
4 Jan—Meek (Matt 5:5)
5 Jan—Hungry (Matt 5:6)
6 Jan—Merciful (Matt 5:7)
7 Jan—Pure (Matt 5:8)
8 Jan—Peacemaking (Matt 5:9)
9 Jan—Persecuted (Matt 5:10-12)
10 Jan—Salt (Matt 5:13)
11 Jan—Light (Matt 5:14-16)
12 Jan—Fulfillment (Matt 5:17-19)
13 Jan—Pharisees (Matt 5:20)
14 Jan—Anger (Matt 5:21-26)
15 Jan—Lust (Matt 5:27-30)
16 Jan—Divorce (Matt 5:31-32)
17 Jan—Oaths (Matt 5:33-37)
18 Jan—Retaliation (Matt 5:38-42)
19 Jan—Enemies (Matt 5:43-47)
20 Jan—Perfection (Matt 5:48)
21 Jan—Show-off! (Matt 6:1)
22 Jan—Alms (Matt 6:2-4)
23 Jan—Prayer (Matt 6:5-8)
24 Jan—The Prayer (Matt 6:9-13)
25 Jan—Forgive (Matt 6:14-15)
26 Jan—Fast (Matt 6:16-18)
27 Jan—Treasure (Matt 6:19-21)
28 Jan—Darkness (Matt 6:22-23)
29 Jan—Mammon (Matt 6:24)
30 Jan—Anxious (Matt 6:25-32)
31 Jan—Kingdom (Matt 6:33-34)
1 Feb—Judge (Matt 7:1-5)
2 Feb—Swine (Matt 7:6)
3 Feb—Ask (Matt 7:7-11)
4 Feb—Gold (Matt 7:12)
5 Feb—Narrow (Matt 7:13-14)
6 Feb—Prophets? (Matt 7:15-20)
7 Feb—Lord, Lord (Matt 7:21-23)
8 Feb—Sand (Matt 7:24-27)
9 Feb—Wow! (Matt 7:28-29)