6: Citizens of the Kingdom (Mt 5:1-16)
I.
The Basics
A.
Setting
This section is
the beginning of Jesus’ teachings on the mount. It is also the first major
discourse recorded in Matthew. This event took place probably on a mountainside
in Capernaum.
B.
Key Verse
“Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (5:16).
C.
Did You Know…?
1.
When he was seated (5:1): It
was the custom for Jewish rabbis to be seated while teaching (see Mk 4:1; 9:35;
Lk 4:20; 5:3; Jn 8:2). 8/1444
2.
The Beatitudes are named from
the Latin word beatus meaning blessed…The Greek term
means “happy, fortunate.” 1/1418
3.
Salt (5:13): Whereas the
Phoenicians obtained quantities of salt from the Mediterranean by evaporation
in salt-pans, the Hebrews had access to an unlimited supply on the shores of
the Dead Sea (Zp. ii. 9) and in the hill of Salt (Jebel Usdum), a 15-square-mile
elevation at the SW corner of the Dead Sea…Such salt was of the rock or fossil
variety, and, because of impurities and the occurrence of chemical changes, the
outer layer was generally lacking in flavour. The
reference in Mt. v. 13 is to this latter, much of which was discarded as
worthless. Salt was valued as a preservative and for seasoning food. It was
often used among Oriental peoples for ratifying agreements, so that salt became
the symbol of fidelity and constancy. 7/112
II.
Observation
A.
Outline
(5:1-12)
(1-10)
(11-12)
(5:13-16)
(13)
(14-16)
B.
Key Words/Phrases
III.
General Analysis
1.
Who was Jesus’ target audience
in the teachings on the mount?
2.
Were there others who heard the
sermon besides the target audience?
IV.
Segment Analysis
A.
5:1-12
1.
Explain each of the beatitudes
in terms of a present-day application.
2.
Could there be a significance in the use of the present tense in the first
and last beatitudes?
3.
What is the meaning of
“righteousness” in the beatitudes?
4.
How are the blessings in Jesus’
teachings different from people’s common notion of what “blessings” should be?
B.
5:13-16
1.
Compare salt and light. What
are their differences in function and position?
2.
How are we to be salt of the
earth and light of the world?
