Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, chapters 5-7) was radical for those who first heard it, because in this sermon Jesus was bringing to an end the centuries-old, well-established way of living according to the Law, and ushering in a brand-new way of living according to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Over and over in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus states, “You have heard it said …” (then He quotes the Old Testament Law). In each instance, Jesus then follows up with brand new instructions, “But I tell you …”.
Jesus completely fulfilled the Law! And He has given us a brand-new way to live!
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount begins with The Beatitudes … a series of blessings, as He intros His brand-new instructions for how to live according to the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“Blessed are those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
– Matthew 5:3
