Matthew 5:21-46 has been regarded as, “The Antithesis” portion of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus shifts in his sermon and begins to establish a new Law. Jesus does not condemn the Law of the Old Testament, but rather fulfills it and gives his people, Kingdom Citizens a new way to live.

Our culture typically honors those with the strongest abilities, best looks, and toward success. However, in God’s kingdom, greatness is not measured by what others think about us and our accomplishments, but on our submission to Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Many people incorrectly believe that Jesus did away with the Old Testament and made it obsolete. However, in this sermon we see Christ did not erase the Law but fulfilled it perfectly. Now, through the Holy Spirit, we are renewed and enabled to obey the Law. 

Jesus is not the backup plan for the Old Testament or completely separated from it. When studied properly, we see Christ throughout the entire Bible. He promised in the Old Testament, arrives in the New Testament, and teaches us that all of God’sWord is about him and fulfilled in him.

One of the most piercing metaphors of Jesus is the command for believers to be salt and light in the world. As kingdom citizens, we are to influence our culture by putting Christ in our hearts and in every deed that we do. When we live this way, we will truly impact the world for God’s kingdom.

Following Jesus costs us everything. As kingdom citizens, we are to face the world and suffer for the sake of righteousness.

Everybody wants peace, but how do we know what peace truly is? Many look at the Sermon on the Mount and think that if only people could live this way the world would be a better place. That is very true, however the Sermon is not about our capabilities, but rather our inability to live this way apart from Christ. It is by grace through faith that we can know the Prince of Peace and be peacemakers for his kingdom.

Jesus commands his people to love him with all their hearts. This means loving him with our entire being, our feelings, emotions, and efforts. For those that are pure in heart, they desire to be like Christ more than anything else, knowing that despite our shortcoming will see God one day.

Many times, we often think that we must be pure in our hearts for God to fill our hearts. However, Christ teaches us that the only way to have a pure heart is to be first be filled by God. Failing to understand this truth will always result in failed attempts to satisfy God.

The Christian life is not about superficial behavior or surface level change. Being a kingdom citizens means that we are changed by God deep within our soul. For this reason, Christ commands us to be merciful and gracious even towards those who do not deserve it.