#153 Beatitudes | Matthew 5:1-12

Way of the Bible

Welcome to Episode #153 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our first of eight episodes in our Twentieth mini-series entitled, Sermon. On today’s episode we’ll be looking at the setting of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ opening foray with the Beatitudes from Matthew Chapter 5.

On this mini-series I’ll be briefly presenting my observations from Meditative and Contemplative prayers of this Sermon as I sat at the feet of Jesus. My prayer for listeners during our last mini-series was that they would explore and put into practice meditative reading and contemplation prayer practices such as found in St. Ignatius and his spiritual exercises and/or Lectio Divina. As part of my encouragement for jumping into running conversation (prayer) with Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I read the entire Sermon on the Mount between Episodes 1 to 7 but did not comment at all on the text while reading.

Today, I’m going to present my brief commentary on this, perhaps the most important text in the Bible for believers. In this Sermon that spans a mere three chapters in Matthew, Jesus summarizes what a believers life should look like in the kingdom of Heaven. Paul tells us that all believers are transferred by God into that kingdom.

Colossians 1:13 – He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son

I say perhaps the most important text because it concerns the day-to-day life in the kingdom of heaven which was the central theme of the earthly ministry of Jesus. You will hear affirming passages to that last comment of this perhaps being the most important text for believers from the opening and closing of the book of Acts.

Acts 1:3 – He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Acts 28:30-31 – He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

With that as our short introduction, let’s jump into the text. We’ll start in Matthew Chapter 4 as this introduces where Jesus finds himself when he speaks his sermon.

Matthew 4:12-17 – Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

We see Jesus beginning his ministry after John the Baptist was arrested. The focal point for most of his ministry work was in Galilee and not in Jerusalem. He was fulfilling the prophecy found in Isaiah 9:1-2.

What’s the big deal about Isaiah 9:1-2 and Galilee? John the Baptist came in fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3 – A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

John’s ministry beginnings to announce the coming of the Lord are mentioned in Matthew 3:1-2, 11-12 – In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”… 11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff h