Last time, we explored Jesus’ reasons for why and how He taught the people in parables. (See What is the Methodology Behind the Parables of Jesus)
Now, we find Christ and His disciples journeying back to Galilee on the Sabbath, whereupon they come upon a grain field. The disciples, being hungry, plucked a few heads of grain to eat.
True to their wicked nature, the Pharisees were skulking in the shadows, following Jesus and His entourage to try to catch them in some blasphemous behavior.[1]
Emboldened by what they witnessed, the Pharisees came out of hiding and approached Jesus with complaints about His disciple’s blasphemous behavior by ‘working’ on the Sabbath (by picking the grain to eat).
(Remember that the Pharisee’s have been twisting Scripture for hundreds of years at this point and adding their own ‘revelations’ to establish their power over the laity. Indeed, none of these additional ‘rules’ are found in the original Hebrew Bible. Some of this ‘Pharisaical blasphemy’ proscribed carrying any ‘burden’, which was divided into such minute quantities that carrying anything, e.g., heads of grain, was prohibited.)
Jesus responds:
Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Mt. 12:3 – 8. NLT[2]
Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” Mk. 2:27 NLT
(“Men and devils criticize; Christ sympathizes and intercedes.” J.C. Ryle from Daily Readings from All Four Gospels.)
Jesus’ retort against the Pharisee’s views of the Sabbath demonstrated His command over the Sabbath’s true intent by giving examples that shot holes in their ill-begotten logic.
When King David and his army were on the run from King Saul, they stopped at the Tabernacle because they were famished, and they ate what was called the ‘showbread’, which was kept there to symbolize Jehovah’s provisions and was only to be eaten by the priests. They were not condemned for their actions in the Scriptures.
Christ also pointed out that the Tabernacle priests worked within it on the Sabbath, and neither were they blasphemed.
Finally, Jesus reveals Himself as ‘Lord of the Sabbath’, who decides the lawful ways of observing the Sabbath; and that what He commands, supersedes the dictates of the Pharisees in the Temple. Furthermore, Christ defines it for them by saying that the Sabbath was instituted for the benefit of humankind, so that they may rest and focus on, and communicate with, their Creator.
He concludes by saying that they have wrongly condemned His innocent disciples.
But lookout; He’s not done:
Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus. Mt. 12:9 – 14. NLT
Jesus could omnisciently read their thoughts, and He leaves for the Sea of Galilee, whereupon He healed a multitude of people.[3]
On the following day, He gathers His disciples and adds more to complete His 12 apostles:
They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons. These are the twelve he chose: Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Mk. 3:14 – 19. NLT
One day, crowds gathered around a foot of the mountain where Jesus was. Subsequently, He arrayed the apostles facing Him, placing them between Him and the crowd. Then, He began to teach.[4]
This would be Jesus’ most famous public address. It is referred to as the ‘Sermon on the Mount. It is found exclusively in the book of Matthew. However, there is also a ‘Sermon on the Plain’, found only in the book of Luke.
Some biblical scholars believe the two sermons are the same because their messages are almost identical, albeit the Sermon on the Plain is far more condensed.
The Sermon on the Mount represents the starting point where Jesus begins to tell us how to live a godly life that leads to righteous living, to properly prepare for our eternal disposition with the Godhead.
He is evolving the message of the Old Testament to synergize with His New Covenant. It is a call to follow Him.
Christ begins with a series of short sentences called the ‘Beatitudes’, (Latin for ‘blessed’). It describes the virtues required of those who properly prepare themselves for the Kingdom:
“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].” Mt. 5:3 AMP
Thus, Jesus is saying that we’re blessed (covered with Jehovah’s favor), when we are humble, knowing that we need to grow in Him to live a godly life. Then, God can work with you – molding you to be like Jesus.[5]
He also states that the Kingdom of Heaven is accessible to them in present time,so that they can walk with God now.
Next, Christ declares His second beatitude:
“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].” Mt. 5:4 AMP
I believe that Jesus purposely followed the first with the second beatitude because those who are fraught over their present spiritual state, as well as perhaps the fruit of the same, mourn because they fall out of right relationship with God repeatedly through sin. Consequently, they feel an unction to repent, to restore their love-connection.
Jesus continues with the third:
“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.” Mt. 5:5 AMP
The English Standard Version translates this to say, “Blessed are the meek.” ‘Meek’ does not mean ‘weak.’ It is translated from the Greek prasso, meaning ‘gentle’ and ‘humble’.
These are the followers who put God on center stage in their hearts, selflessly serving others, and so serving Jehovah. Notice again that their blessings are received in the present.
The fourth beatitude really cements the first three:
“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.” Mt. 5:6 AMP
It crowns the first three because a hunger and thirst for righteousness cannot manifest until you first recognize your spiritual vacuum, which brings you to a place of humility. Consequently, it brings you to mourn for something bigger and better for your life, by conforming your will to His.
Jesus presses on with the fifth:
“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Mt. 5:7 AMP
What He is inferring is that if you would live a godly life, it must show up in the way that you relate to others. The grace and mercy of God will only flow to you if you let it spill out of you onto others in need of same.
Beatitude number six:
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. Mt. 5:8 NLT
What is a pure heart? It’s one that is devoid of any ritualistic form of external (worldly) attempts at cleansing. It is focused on His will in all circumstances. That same heart leads its owner back to God’s grace should they fall, instead of to their head.
Number seven:
“Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.” Mt. 5:9 AMP
Jesus willingly gives us His inward peace.[6] The peace that flows from His Father, both perpetual and serene – helping us transcend the chaos of our inner and outer worlds. We share that gift by being a peacemaker.
Beatitudes eight and nine complement one another:
“Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].” Mt. 5:10 AMP
“Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Mt. 5:11, 12. AMP
If you follow Jesus, you will be persecuted. Why? Because you are a living rebuke against all people who choose the world’s ways over Christ’s.
God will reward all His children, purging them of all the suffering they endured for Him by clinging to His word…
So, Jesus opened His heart in the Beatitudes to remove the worldly scales that impaired our sight, and He purified our hearts. Consequently, we can have a life consisting of a continuous stream of eternal God moments – strengthened by His bulwarks of mercy, peace, and spiritual strength so that we take a stand for righteousness. He is building our character so that we can represent and reflect Him.
And this was just the opening act! Stay tuned…
Goodnight and God Bless.
[1] Mt. 12:1
[2] See also Hos. 6:6
[3] Mt. 12:15
[4] Mt. 5:1
[5] Rm. 8:29
[6] Jn. 14:27