Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." He's telling us about the character of the Father and calling us to display that character trait as well. He's also here as an act of love towards those who consider Him an enemy. 

What is a Christian response to attack by evil people? Easy question, right, what did Jesus do? 

Are vows and oaths really a big deal? So much so that Jesus felt the need to address them at the outset of His ministry? Yes, they were and are important in Judaism but they are also to be avoided as much as possible, just be a person of your word. 

Divorce is not God's plan for marriage. Jesus limits what would be termed allowable divorce to sexual immorality. That would not be in step with at least one rabbinic school of His time, and He is, make no mistake, acting as a rabbi in making these statements about God's intentions. 

Good fences make good neighbors. Loving your neighbor is often more than what you do, it's what you don't do that matters. If we want to understand that principle we have to exert discipline in our own lives, not allowing our thoughts to flow as they will, but taking control of them.

What in the world are jots and tittles? It's a familiar phrase but what is it referring to here?

Psalm 112:1-10

Isaiah 58:1-12

1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Matthew 5:13-20

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

As followers of Christ we are called to be salt and light. The Torah itself is referred to as both the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are to embody the word of God in thought, word and deed.

The first beatitudes tell us how we should see and respond to the world around us, the second set tells us how to live in light of that reality.

Jesus' first major public teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, begins with the Beatitudes.