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Scripture Reading: Matthew 5

I’ve just been reading what is perhaps the best sermon ever.  It was delivered by Jesus to a crowd of thousands on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee.  I’ve just been reading what is perhaps the best sermon ever.  It was delivered by Jesus to a crowd of thousands on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee.  Because of its location, this sermon is often called “The Sermon on the Mount.” It spans three chapters in the book of Matthew, starting in chapter 5.

When you read Jesus’ famous sermon, you’ll see why it’s so popular.  It’s like reading a Cliff’s Notes version of the entire Bible.  You’ll also probably recognize many of the famous quotes that come from this passage.  Here are just a few from chapter 5:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3-5). 

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:38-39). 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you … ” (Matthew 5:43-44). 

Reading through the Sermon on the Mount is like reading through the best-of-the-best quotes from Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.  It even includes the Golden Rule and the Lord’s Prayer!

But I’d also like to point out that even the best sermons in the world are only fruitful if those who hear the words put them into practice.  As Jesus said at the end of His sermon:

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).

I wrote a book a few years ago called What God Says About Sex.  My purpose was to share what I had learned about this precious gift from God and to spare others from the heartache that often comes from misusing this gift.  Many people have read the book over the years, and I’ve been amazed at the results―some good, and some not so good.

Some people have read it eagerly, taking the words to heart, putting them into practice, and being blessed beyond measure.  Others have picked it up with interest at first, only to set it down later and ignore what they read, ending up with unplanned pregnancies, untreatable diseases, and unnecessary pain.  Then there are those who have gotten a copy of the book but didn’t crack it open―until it was too late.

I know of one man who had it sitting on his bedroom dresser―unopened and unread―when he got his girlfriend pregnant.  They broke up soon afterwards, but when their precious baby was born, they entered into a lengthy and heart-wrenching custody battle.

The man later said that he wished he had read my book before this all happened.

When I hear stories like these, I get a small glimpse into what God must feel when people read―or don’t read―His Book, and the various results that come when they put His Words into practice―or don’t.

I’d like to encourage you to take some time this week to read the “Sermon on the Mount” and see for yourself why it is perhaps “The Best Sermon Ever.”  You’ll find it in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  It only takes about 20-30 minutes to read, but if you put what you read into practice, you’ll be blessed for a lifetime!

My hope and my prayer is that you will take time to read these chapters and that you’ll be a light shining for Christ―and, as Jesus said, when others see your good works, they’ll “give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving us Your wisdom in the words of the Bible.  Help us to read Your word daily, take it to heart, and put it into practice in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Memory Verse

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV).