The demands of discipleship: the Sermon on the Mount

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

Welcome to one of the most famous and influential sections of the New Testament! The Sermon on the Mount (found in Matthew chapters 5–7) is essentially Jesus’ "manifesto" or the "Constitution" of the Kingdom of God. In these notes, we will explore what Jesus expects from his followers. We call these the demands of discipleship.

For your exam, you need to understand two things: AO1 (What does the text actually say?) and AO2 (Is this standard of living actually possible, or is it just an impossible ideal?). Don't worry if it seems overwhelming at first—we will break it down section by section!

1. The Character of a Disciple: The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12)

Jesus begins his sermon not with a list of "thou shalt nots," but with a list of blessings called the Beatitudes. These describe the inner heart and character of a true disciple.

Key Qualities:
- Poor in spirit: Realising you are spiritually bankrupt and need God's help.
- Mourning: Feeling deep sorrow for sin and the brokenness of the world.
- Meekness: Not weakness, but "power under control."
- Hungering for righteousness: Desiring God’s will as much as you desire food.
- Pure in heart: Having sincere motives, not just doing things for show.

Key Takeaway: The Beatitudes show that the Kingdom of God is "upside down." People the world thinks are weak or unlucky are the ones God calls blessed.

2. The Influence of a Disciple: Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13–16)

Jesus uses two everyday analogies to explain a disciple's role in society:

Salt (5:13): In the ancient world, salt was used to preserve food and give it flavour. Jesus tells his disciples they are the salt of the earth. If they lose their "saltiness" (their distinct Christian character), they become useless. They are called to "preserve" the world from moral decay.
Light (5:14–16): A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Disciples are the light of the world. Their "good works" should be visible to others, not to make the disciple look good, but to bring glory to God.

Quick Review: Disciples must be different from the world to influence the world.

3. Radical Righteousness: The Antitheses (Matthew 5:17–48)

This is a challenging section where Jesus discusses the Mosaic Law (the Old Testament laws). He says he did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (5:17). He then gives six "Antitheses," using the formula: "You have heard it said... but I say to you..."

The Shift from Action to Heart:
- Murder vs. Anger: It’s not enough to avoid killing someone; Jesus says being angry or insulting someone (calling them "Raca") puts you in danger of judgement (5:21–22).
- Adultery vs. Lust: It’s not enough to stay physically faithful; looking with lust is "adultery in the heart" (5:27–30).
- Retaliation vs. Turning the Cheek: Instead of "eye for an eye," Jesus demands non-resistance. If someone strikes your right cheek, offer the other (5:38–42).
- Love for Enemies: Jesus demands the ultimate standard—loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you (5:43–48).

Memory Aid: Jesus is "raising the bar." He wants his disciples to have a righteousness that goes deeper than the Pharisees, who only cared about outward rules.

4. Sincerity in Religion (Matthew 6:1–18)

Jesus warns against "practising your piety before others" just to be seen. He looks at three pillars of Jewish religious life:

1. Giving Alms (Charity): Don’t blow a trumpet when you give to the poor. Give in secret (6:2–4).
2. Prayer: Don’t use "heap up empty phrases" or pray loudly on street corners. Jesus provides the Lord’s Prayer as a model of simple, sincere communication with God (6:5–15).
3. Fasting: Don’t look miserable so people know you’re fasting. Put oil on your head and wash your face so only God knows (6:16–18).

Key Takeaway: True discipleship is about a private relationship with God, not public "likes" or approval.

5. Priorities and Trust (Matthew 6:19–34)

Jesus addresses the two things that often distract disciples: money and anxiety.

Treasures in Heaven: Earthly treasures (money, clothes) can be destroyed by moths or stolen by thieves. Disciples should invest in heavenly treasures instead (6:19–21).
The Cure for Worry: Jesus points to nature as an analogy. If God feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, he will surely take care of his disciples. The demand is to "strive first for the kingdom of God" (6:33).

Did you know? The Greek word for "worry" used here implies being "pulled in different directions." Jesus wants his disciples to have a single-minded focus on God.

6. Integrity and Action (Matthew 7:1–5, 24–29)

Judging Others (7:1–5): Jesus uses a humorous analogy. Why try to take a tiny speck out of your friend's eye when you have a massive log (plank) in your own? Disciples must practice self-examination before criticising others.
The Two Builders (7:24–29): Jesus concludes by saying that hearing his words isn't enough; you must act on them.
- The Wise Builder builds on the rock (obedient action).
- The Foolish Builder builds on the sand (hearing but not doing).
When the storms of life come, only the house on the rock stands.

7. AO2 Debate: Is the Sermon an Ideal or an Achievable Standard?

In your exam, you may be asked to evaluate whether these demands are actually possible to meet. Here are the different points of view you should discuss:

Perspective A: It is an Impossible Ideal
- Some argue Jesus set the bar so high (e.g., "Be perfect," 5:48) to show humans that they cannot save themselves.
- Its purpose is to make people realise they need God’s grace and forgiveness because they will always fall short of these demands.

Perspective B: It is a Literal Requirement (Achievable)
- Jesus concludes the sermon by telling people to do what he said (the Wise Builder). This suggests he expected obedience.
- Many early Christians and modern groups (like the Mennonites) believe these are literal commands for how to live in a community of believers.

Perspective C: The "Interim Ethic"
- Some scholars suggest Jesus thought the world was ending very soon. Therefore, these radical demands (like not saving money or not resisting evil) were only meant for a short period of time before the Kingdom arrived in full.

Perspective D: The "Empowered" Standard
- This view suggests that while these demands are impossible for humans on their own, they become achievable through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not about following rules, but about a transformed heart.

Summary: Key Takeaways for the Exam

1. Internal vs. External: Jesus moves from outward rule-following to inward heart-transformation.
2. Kingdom Values: The Sermon defines a "new way of being human" that values mercy, purity, and peace over power and wealth.
3. Discipleship is Costly: It requires loving enemies, giving in secret, and trusting God completely.
4. Action is Essential: The sermon ends with a warning that "hearing" is not "following"—the demand of discipleship is obedience.

Note: For attitudes toward others (like forgiveness and the Good Samaritan), please see the chapter "The demands of discipleship: attitudes to others."