Embodying God's Values: Lessons from the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus, and it is found in the Gospel of Matthew. The Sermon on the Mount is composed of several sections, each of which contains some of the most profound and influential teachings in all of Christianity. In this post, we will explore some of the key themes and teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount, and we will consider how these teachings are still relevant today.

The Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes, a series of blessings pronounced by Jesus on those who embody certain virtues. The Beatitudes are among the most well-known and well-loved teachings of Jesus, and they have inspired Christians throughout the ages.

The Beatitudes emphasize that those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers are blessed by God. These qualities represent the opposite of the world's values: power, wealth, and status. Jesus is telling us that God's values are different from the world's values and that we should strive to embody these virtues.

For example, when Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," he is challenging our assumptions about power and success. The meek, by worldly standards, are not powerful or successful. But Jesus is saying that the meek are blessed by God and that they will ultimately be rewarded.

Similarly, when Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," he is challenging our assumptions about purity and righteousness. The world values outward appearances and accomplishments, but Jesus is telling us that true purity comes from the heart.

The Beatitudes are a powerful reminder that God's values are different from the world's values, and that we should strive to embody the virtues that Jesus teaches.

Love Your Enemies

One of the most challenging teachings of the Sermon on the Mount is the command to love our enemies. Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44).

This teaching is radical and counter-cultural. It is easy to love those who love us in return but much harder to love those who hate us. Yet, Jesus tells us that we must do just that. By loving our enemies, we show that we are children of God, who loves all people.

The Lord's Prayer

Another key teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is the Lord's Prayer. This prayer is a model for how we should pray, and it covers many of the most important aspects of our relationship with God.

In the Lord's Prayer, we ask God for his kingdom to come, for our daily bread, for forgiveness, and for protection from evil. By praying in this way, we show our dependence on God, and we open ourselves up to his grace.

Do Not Judge

Jesus also teaches us not to judge others, lest we be judged ourselves. He tells us to remove the log from our own eye before trying to remove the speck from our neighbor's eye. This is a powerful reminder that we are all sinners and that we should not be quick to judge others. Instead, we should focus on our own shortcomings, and on our own relationship with God.

Build Your House on the Rock

Finally, Jesus teaches us to build our house on the rock. This means that we should build our lives on a strong foundation of faith, rather than on the shifting sands of worldly values. By listening to Jesus' teachings and putting them into practice, we can build a life that is strong and secure, and that will endure even in the face of adversity.