Hunter The Sermon on the Mount

A 12-Week Study
1. Auflage 2023
ISBN: 978-1-4335-8943-0
Verlag: Crossway
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, 104 Seiten

Reihe: Knowing the Bible

Engaging 12-Week Study Helps Readers Better Understand and Apply God's Word The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) 'Gospel Glimpses' highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) 'Whole-Bible Connections' show how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) 'Theological Soundings' identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. In The Sermon on the Mount, Drew Hunter examines the biblical event that led to some of Jesus's most well-known statements, including the Beatitudes. Guiding readers through Matthew 5-7 passage by passage, this guide demonstrates that the Sermon the Mount is not a disorganized collection of sayings, but a series of naturally progressing sections.   - Helpful Bible Study Resource: Features date and historical background, theological context for the Bible passage, 'Whole-Bible Connections,' compelling reflection questions, and more - In-Depth: Ties the biblical text in with the whole story of Scripture, shows how each passage unveils the gospel, and illuminates the doctrines taught in each passage - Part of the Knowing the Bible Series: With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on every page of the Bible

Drew Hunter (MA, Wheaton College) is the teaching pastor at Zionsville Fellowship in Zionsville, Indiana. He is the author of Made for Friendship and the Isaiah and Matthew volumes in the Knowing the Bible series. Drew and his wife, Christina, live in Zionsville, Indiana, and have four children.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Hunter, Drew

Leseproben

Week 2: The Beatitudes

An Invitation to True Flourishing

Matthew 5:1–12

The Place of the Passage

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with what we now call the “Beatitudes.” Each of these nine statements of Jesus begins with the Greek word makarios. The Latin translation of makarios is beatus, which means “blessed” or “happy” or “flourishing” and is why we call them the Beatitudes. These statements of blessing highlight the countercultural vision of the good life that Jesus is bringing into the world. With each statement Jesus affirms, celebrates, and encourages the way of true flourishing. These blessings communicate the characteristics of the people of his kingdom. The Beatitudes provide a concise picture of both the blessings Jesus brings with his kingdom and the characteristic qualities of those who receive these blessings.

The Big Picture

Jesus pronounces statements of blessing and affirmation on those who demonstrate the characteristics of the members of his kingdom.

Reflection and Discussion

Carefully and thoughtfully read this introductory section to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:1–12. Then use the provided questions to help you think more deeply about the text. (See ESV Study Bible notes on pages 1827–1828; online at www.esv.org.)

Introduction (Matt. 5:1–2)

Matthew 5 transitions us from what Jesus did (Matt. 4:23–25) to what he said: “And he opened his mouth and taught them” (5:2). Before that statement Matthew describes the setting. First, what is significant about the statement that Jesus “went up on the mountain”? (Look to Ex. 3:1–14; 19:1–20:26 for help with the answer.) Second, what is significant about the statement “he sat down”? (Look to Acts 13:14; 16:13; Heb. 1:3; and Rev. 3:21 for help.) Third, what is significant about the statement “his disciples came to him,” and how does this reveal Jesus’ original audience?

The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3–12)

Jesus makes nine statements that describe the “blessed” life. Write down nine words or descriptions of the kind of person or life that your culture generally views as “blessed.” Then write down the nine words or phrases Jesus uses to describe those whom he views as truly blessed. How do your two lists differ?

Jesus says that the “kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3, 10) belongs to those who are poor in spirit. “Kingdom of heaven” refers to the reign of God through Jesus, which has broken into the present age and will come in its fullness after he returns. Jesus is promising that those who fit the descriptions in the Beatitudes are those who truly flourish even now and especially in the consummation of the kingdom to come. How can this comfort those who embrace Jesus’ values while knowing that such values are out of step with their culture?

Jesus pronounces the first blessing over the “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). We know what it means to be poor in regard to wealth, but what does it mean to be poor in spirit? How can you tell if someone is poor in spirit? Consider Psalm 34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2.

The second beatitude is Jesus’ promise of comfort for those who mourn (Matt. 5:4). Jesus elsewhere claims to fulfill the expectations of Isaiah 61:1–3, which promises an anointed preacher who brings good news (see Luke 4:17–19). In addition to those who mourn, how does Isaiah 61:1–3 describe the people Jesus came to bless? What similarities do you see between Isaiah 61:1–3 and the Beatitudes?

Jesus says that the meek will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Meekness means not timidity but humility. It entails intentional lowliness, gentleness, and servant-heartedness. A meek person does not flaunt his or her strength but harnesses it for good. How would your culture define a successful person? Why would Jesus’ promise to the meek surprise many people today?

What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness1 (Matt. 5:6)? What are two or three things you do, or could start doing, to cultivate this appetite?

The “pure in heart” (v. 8) are those who are “singular”—this is what pure means—in their focus and loves. They rightly order their loves and put God above all. What does Jesus promise them, and why is this particularly fitting?

In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day, to call someone a “son” was a statement not only of heritage but of likeness—much like the saying, “like father, like son.” Look at Jesus’ blessing in verse 9 with this question in mind: What does this imply about what God is like? And then, how does that motivate us to pursue peace with people?

How do verses 10–12 encourage Christians who suffer for identifying with and living for Jesus?

Which beatitude are you most eager to cultivate in your life? What is one practical step you can take, beginning this week, to do so?

Read through the following three sections on Gospel Glimpses, Whole-Bible Connections, and Theological Soundings. Then take time to consider the Personal Implications these sections have for you.

Gospel Glimpses

The Savior Who Blesses. Jesus announces a series of statements that describe the good life—the life that truly flourishes. With each statement he affirms that his people will be blessed. This desire to bless comes from his deepest heart. God has, as the Puritan Richard Sibbes put it, a “spreading goodness.” In the beginning he created this wonderful world and blessed humanity. Even after sin and death entered the world, he unfolded his plan to make his blessings flow as “far as the curse is found,” as the hymnwriter Isaac Watts put it. God’s just judgments are certainly seen in the world and will be experienced by unbelievers forever. Nevertheless, Jesus came to take the curse2 upon himself at the cross so that he may bless all who will receive him by faith.

Comfort for Sinners and Sufferers. Jesus blesses those who mourn with the promise of comfort. No matter how deep and piercing our pain, God’s comfort penetrates deeper still. All who mourn and look to God will receive the comfort only he can give (2 Cor. 1:3–4). Many of us grieve the loss of family or dear friends. We mourn our own sin and its damaging effects. We grieve the injustices in this world. Jesus is not aloof from any of this; he sees it all and promises to bring eternal comfort to his people.

Whole-Bible Connections

Mountains. Mountains are a significant theme in the Bible. Eden was a mountain sanctuary, Noah’s ark rested on a mountain, God covenanted with Israel at Mount Sinai, David reigned from Mount Zion (which was also where Solomon built the temple), and Isaiah promised that God would serve a great eschatological feast for all nations on a mountain (Isa. 25:6). Mountains were also the locations of Jesus’ miraculous feedings, his radiant transfiguration,3 and the great commission to his disciples. Mountains are symbolic connection-places between heaven and earth; they are places of significance and revelation. Jesus highlighted the historical significance of his teaching by ascending a mountain to deliver the message that is the subject of our study.

The Kingdom of Heaven. The primary blessing Jesus pronounces in the Beatitudes is the “kingdom of heaven.” This term sums up the great blessings Jesus is bringing into the world, all of which lead ultimately to the renewal of the whole creation. We first see God’s kingdom in Eden, where God’s people enjoy his presence and reflect his rule. When sin entered the world, humanity was sent...