Developing Christ-Like Character

Matthew devoted three chapters of his Gospel (5–7) to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ most famous sermon. This teaching is best understood in the context of the launch of Jesus’ public ministry. During this time, Jesus’ preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17). In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described the end result of this Repentance.

His teachings introduced a new way of thinking. Amidst the many political and religious influences that formed Jewish culture, Jesus provided insight into the kind of life that God truly desires. Jesus’ words captured the imagination of common people and motivated them to follow Him and learn more about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus began the Sermon with the Beatitudes, a series of eight proclamations that describe the kind of people who belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Beatitudes also describe the blessings associated with the Kingdom. Jesus’ words sounded radical to those who heard Him preach, and they still sound radical today. Who would be willing to embrace such countercultural teachings? Those who repent of their sins and accept Jesus’ salvation will allow the Spirit to develop these characteristics in their lives. As the Christian writer Oswald Chambers noted, “The Sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having His way with us.”

In the Old Testament, God called the children of Israel to be unique. Their lives were to be markedly different than the lives of those who lived in the surrounding culture. In the New Testament, Jesus extended a similar call to Jews and Gentiles when He preached the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:1–10 is significant because it emphasizes that People are God's Treasure. The Sermon on the Mount reminds us that those who choose to follow Christ are called to live in ways that radiate God’s image. The Beatitudes reflect a radical diversion from the norms of the world and a turn toward the norms of God. Many people would consider the Beatitudes a list of weaknesses in human character, but Jesus revealed that they in fact reflect God’s heart.

This passage also touches on other Essential Truths: Jesus is God and Savior and The Bible is God's Word.

Matthew 5:1–2 Jesus preached the “good news of the kingdom” throughout Galilee (Matt. 4:23). As word spread about His message and miracles, the crowds increased. In a scene reminiscent of Moses’ ascent of Mount Sinai to receive the Law on behalf of the Israelites Ex. 19:3, Jesus proclaimed a new law from a mountainside. Rabbis traditionally taught their followers while seated.

Matthew 5:3 Although we usually think of poverty as a lack of material resources, Jesus focused on the condition of spiritual neediness. Jesus proclaimed in this message that those are blessed who humbly recognize their sinful condition. Recognizing one’s sinfulness is a necessary first step toward repentance and admittance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 5:4 Scholars suggest two possibilities for the reasons these people mourn. Some, in light of the context of repentance, suggest that these blessed mourners were grieving over their sins and preparing to repent. Echoing the messianic message in Isaiah 61:2, Jesus promised that the Lord will comfort those who grieve over their sins. Others suggest that these people mourned because of the humiliation faced by Israel and their understanding that this humiliation was caused by both personal and national sin.

Matthew 5:5 Jesus paraphrased David in this verse: “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace” (Ps. 37:11). The Greek word translated as “meek” means “gentle,” “humble,” “considerate,” or “courteous” (Stott, 1978).

This humility is evident in the lives of godly people throughout Scripture. Moses was lauded for his humility (Num. 12:3), and Jesus described Himself as gentle and humble Matt. 11:29). The apostle Paul painted a perfect picture of meekness when he urged the Philippians to humbly consider others better than themselves by adopting a Christ-like attitude Phil. 2:3–11).

Matthew 5:6 God promised the exiled Israelites that in the day of salvation He will restore them, satisfying their hunger and quenching their thirst (Isa. 49:8–10). Jesus extended the same promise to those who craved righteousness. Seek first God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness, Jesus declared later in this talk, and you will find fulfillment (Matt. 6:33).

Matthew 5:7 To show mercy is to demonstrate compassion toward someone in need. Jesus demonstrated this compassion throughout His ministry. Jesus responded in mercy as He healed the afflicted (Matt. 9:27–30, 15:22–28; Mark 10:46–52) and demonstrated a high premium on being merciful by preferring acts of mercy to sacrificial offerings (Matt. 9:13). Jesus promised that those who extend mercy will likewise receive it in their time of need.

Matthew 5:8 Actions spring from the Heart. God has always been concerned with people’s hearts. Those who suffer from spiritual heart disease are prone to indulge their sinful nature. In one of his psalms, David declared that the only people who can stand before the Lord in His holy place are those who have “clean hands and a pure heart,” adding that they will receive blessing from the Lord (Ps. 24:3–5). God reveals Himself to those who guard the purity of their heart.

Matthew 5:9 This verse is often cited in discussions of global conflict, but peacemaking happens on many different levels. Most significantly, peacemakers carry out the God-given ministry of reconciliation, leading those who are in need of salvation to be reconciled with Christ (2 Cor. 5:18–19). Although Jesus warned that strife would be a natural result of His coming (Matt. 10:34–36), Christians are instructed to do what they can to live at peace with others (Rom. 12:18). Those who follow David’s admonition to “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14) are rightly called “sons of God” because they are clearly led by the Spirit of God (Rom 8:14).

Matthew 5:10 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first,” Jesus advised His disciples (John 15:18). Peacemakers and prophets often encounter resistance (2 Chron. 36:16). In the two verses that follow, Jesus implied that those who chose to follow Him would experience persecution. He urged the persecuted to “rejoice and be glad” (Matt. 5:11–12). Although it seems odd for Jesus to command His followers to rejoice in the face of persecution, they can be glad for two reasons: 1) They have been obedient to the Lord and will receive a heavenly reward, and 2) those who suffer for doing the right thing in God’s sight will be blessed (1 Pet. 3:14).

What should be made of Jesus' words, which are at odds with many of today’s cultural values? Aren't people supposed to be self-sufficient and proud, doing what it takes to prevail in any conflict? Isn't Jesus setting up His followers to be pushovers? Actually, quite the opposite is true. To exhibit the characteristics that Jesus described requires deep inner strength and courage. Being poor in spirit, mourning over sin, demonstrating meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, exercising mercy, pursuing purity in heart, making peace, and enduring persecution all require Christians to abandon natural impulses and humble themselves in the sight of the Lord. Following Christ requires extreme personal sacrifice and results in extravagant rewards. Because People are God's Treasure, His promises satisfy their deepest desires for righteousness when they turn to Him. In return, His disciples are called to reflect His standards of righteousness in a world that often fails to recognize or respect those standards.

Believers today will find Jesus’ words as challenging as His first-century audience did. Adults will need to decide which set of standards they want to follow: the world’s focus on self or Christ’s challenge to focus on His Kingdom values. Some adults may attempt to solve this dilemma by living dual lifestyles and adopting one set of values for work and a different set of values for church. This, however, contradicts Jesus’ instructions that His disciples reflect His standards in all parts of life. Lead adults to identify areas of their lives in which they have compromised Jesus’ standards to follow the demands of the culture. Encourage adults to consistently live out their faith in Christ even when they are ridiculed or persecuted for their faith. Remind learners that Jesus promised His blessings to those who are fully committed to Him.