Daily Devotion in Matthew 5

Artwork from a 1611 KJV

Daily Nugget:
Matthew 5 is one of Jesus’ most famous sermons, the Sermon on the Mount, and its teachings, the “Beatitudes.” Many preachers and Sunday school teachers dive right in and relate all of its teachings to today. They are often wrong.

Not all of what Christ taught in this chapter should apply to today. I know this statement may be as popular as a screen door on a submarine, but I believe it to be true. Let us examine what is taught here rather than what makes good preaching.

Understand who is telling the story — Matthew, a devoted Jew. He was talking to Jews. The Jews were waiting for the Messiah to rule and reign on Earth. Although Jesus’ reign may have happened if the Jews had accepted Christ (Mat. 3:2), they did not. However, one day, Christ will rule this Earth for 1,000 years. That event is recognized as His millennial reign.

Verse three makes it clear what most of this chapter is talking about: the “kingdom of heaven.” This chapter talks much, but not all, about the time when Jesus will rule Earth. All can easily recognize that it is not what is happening now. Christ is not currently sitting on the throne and ruling Earth.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

I had difficulty understanding this portion, even though I have read it many times. After clearly understanding that it was addressed to Jews and was partially addressing a future time, I came up with a way to figure out what was to happen in the future, during the millennial reign, and what could be applied to now to help one to try to live a Christian life. As I read the verses, I asked myself the question, “Is this happening now?” and then wrote in the right-hand margin of my Bible, “not now,” or “now.”

After reading the “Beatitudes” from verses three to eleven, I had to write next to the scripture, “Not now.” The “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3) are not in a time when Christ is on the throne now, nor are the meek (Matthew 5:5). They are still being harassed and are not inheriting Earth at this time.

Those who want righteousness are currently not being satisfied (Matthew 5:6). On and on, I went to verse eleven and understood clearly that those verses referenced a future time when Christ will rule and reign on Earth for a thousand years.  In evaluating Matthew 5:13-17, I wrote, “Now,” because those experiences can happen now.

I realized another pattern in Matthew 5:21, 23, 27, 31, 33, 38, and 43. It was clear that those verses discussed the Old Testament law that the Jews were trying to live when this lesson was taught. Many scriptures were about decisions and lifestyles that could be accomplished in a Christian walk. I tagged them “now” in my Bible.

For example, verse 21 talks about, “… Thou shalt not kill….”  It was referencing one of the ten commandments. In verse 22, it talks about being angry with a “brother” and facing judgment — which is future.
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Mat. 5:21-22

Using this study technique, you will find many things in this chapter that can be applied today and many that cannot.  Discern, study, and learn what is being taught in this chapter; it will bless and encourage you.

Words to Understand:
Blessed: favored highly
Raca: “foolish; a term of extreme contempt” — N. Webster, 1828
Reconciled: reunited
Savour: having a flavor
Verily: for sure; with great trust and confidence

Today’s Reading:
Matthew 5
1 ¶ And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 ¶ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33 ¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.