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Matthew 5:1-48 (MSG)
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1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!--for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. 13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. 17 "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures--either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. 18 God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. 19 "Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. 20 Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom. 21 "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' 22 I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of 23 "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, 24 abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. 25 "Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jai 26 If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine. 27 "You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' 28 But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices--they also corrupt. 29 "Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on 30 And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump. 31 "Remember the Scripture that says, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights'? 32 Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you're responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already mad 33 "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. 34 You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In maki 35 (SEE 5:34) 36 (SEE 5:34) 37 Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. 38 "Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' 39 Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. 40 If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. 41 And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. 42 No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. 43 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' 44 I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, 45 for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best--the sun to warm and the rain to nourish--to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. 46 If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. 47 If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. 48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.
This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 7) Forgiveness / Mercy / Atonement - Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
(v. 8) Purity / Sexual Immorality / Adultery - Pure in heart will see God
(v. 9) Peace - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God
(v. 10) Persecution - Kingdom of heaven belongs to those are persecuted because of righteousness
(v. 11) Persecution - Blessed are you when people insult, persecute, and say false things about you
(v. 12) Heaven - Your reward in heaven
(v. 14) Evangelism - Let your light shine before men
(v. 15) Evangelism - Let your light shine before men
(v. 18) Word of God / Teaching / Knowledge - Not the smallest part of the Law will disappear until all is accomplished.
(v. 20) Righteousness - Righteousness must surpass the Pharisees
(v. 22) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Calling one a fool in danger
(v. 22) Hatred - Unforgiving anger will be in danger
(v. 23) Unity - Reconcile with your brother before offering your gift to God
(v. 24) Unity - Reconcile with your brother before offering your gift to God
(v. 25) Enemies - Settle matters quickly with your adversary
(v. 25) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Settle matters quickly with your adversary
(v. 28) Purity / Sexual Immorality / Adultery - Look at women lustfully has commit adultery in his heart
(v. 28) Purity / Sexual Immorality / Adultery - Look at women lustfully has commit adultery in his heart
(v. 28) Purity / Sexual Immorality / Adultery - Look at women lustfully has commit adultery in his heart
(v. 37) Honesty / Truth / Vows / Oath - Let you yes be yes, no be no - other is from the evil one
(v. 41) Eagerness / Diligence / Seeking / Readiness - If someone forces you to go one mile, go two
(v. 42) Giving / Contribution - Do not turn away anyone
(v. 43) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 44) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 44) Prayer - Pray for those who persecute you
(v. 44) Persecution - Pray for those who persecute you
(v. 45) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 46) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 47) Hatred - Love your enemy
This passage relates to the following question(s):
(v. 1) Where did Jesus preach his first sermon? He went up on a mountainside... began to teach them
(v. 16) Should our good works be seen or unseen? Let your light shine before men
(v. 22) Can we call someone a fool or not? Anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell
(v. 32) Are we allowed to divorce?
(v. 36) Should we take oaths? And do not swear by your head
(v. 39) Should we practice physical resistance?
This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 1) Mind of Christ - Discipleship (part I) (2011-06-16)
(v. 1) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 2) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 2) Mind of Christ - Discipleship (part I) (2011-06-16)
(v. 3) First the Kingdom - Spiritual Beggars (2009-12-21)
(v. 3) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 3) Purpose Driven Life - Gods Power in My Weakness (part 1) (2008-07-05)
(v. 4) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 4) Prayer of the Righeous - Wiping Away Tears (2012-10-15)
(v. 4) First the Kingdom - A Choice (2009-12-25)
(v. 5) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 5) First the Kingdom - At Ease (2009-12-28)
(v. 6) Teach Us To Pray - Hungry and Thirsty (part 2) (2008-09-01)
(v. 6) First the Kingdom - Starving without Him (2009-12-30)
(v. 6) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 7) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 8) First the Kingdom - Guarding Against Heart Disease (2010-01-01)
(v. 8) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 9) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 9) Kingdom First - Making Peace with God (2010-01-03)
(v. 10) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 10) Kingdom First - Blessing of Persecution (2010-01-07)
(v. 10) Kingdom First - At War (2010-01-06)
(v. 10) Day 21 - Rejoice in Persecutions (2011-12-24)
(v. 11) Kingdom First - At War (2010-01-06)
(v. 11) Kingdom First - Blessing of Persecution (2010-01-07)
(v. 11) Contagious Christian - The Costs of Outreach (2010-10-04)
(v. 11) Day 21 - Rejoice in Persecutions (2011-12-24)
(v. 11) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 12) Kingdom First - Blessing of Persecution (2010-01-07)
(v. 12) Kingdom First - At War (2010-01-06)
(v. 12) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 12) Contagious Christian - The Costs of Outreach (2010-10-04)
(v. 13) Names of the Believers (part XII) (2011-05-12)
(v. 13) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 13) Contagious Christian - Impacting Your World (part 1) (2010-10-05)
(v. 13) Followup - Evangelism Boldness (2011-01-16)
(v. 14) Contagious Christian - Impacting Your World (part 2) (2010-10-06)
(v. 14) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 14) Followup - Evangelism Boldness (2011-01-16)
(v. 14) Names of the Believers (part IX) (2011-05-09)
(v. 14) Kingdom First - Light Gives Direction (2010-01-08)
(v. 15) Followup - Evangelism Boldness (2011-01-16)
(v. 15) Contagious Christian - Impacting Your World (part 2) (2010-10-06)
(v. 15) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 15) Kingdom First - Light Gives Direction (2010-01-08)
(v. 16) Followup - Evangelism Boldness (2011-01-16)
(v. 16) No one like him - Kingdom Lifestyle (part 1) (2009-05-25)
(v. 16) Waking Dead - Glory (part 1) (2010-08-24)
(v. 16) Contagious Christian - Attractiveness of Authenticity (part 1) (2010-10-07)
(v. 16) Mind of Christ - About Self (part VII) (2011-07-21)
(v. 16) Kingdom First - Light Gives Direction (2010-01-08)
(v. 16) Contagious Christian - Impacting Your World (part 2) (2010-10-06)
(v. 17) Righteousness instead of worry and pride (2011-05-20)
(v. 18) Righteousness instead of worry and pride (2011-05-20)
(v. 19) Righteousness instead of worry and pride (2011-05-20)
(v. 20) Kingdom First - Majoring in the Minors (2010-01-10)
(v. 20) Kingdom First - Hungry and Humility (part 1) (2010-01-22)
(v. 20) Righteousness instead of worry and pride (2011-05-20)
(v. 21) Kingdom First - Rapid Resolution (2010-01-11)
(v. 22) Kingdom First - Rapid Resolution (2010-01-11)
(v. 23) Prayer of the Righeous - Arms Wide Open (part III) (2012-10-13)
(v. 23) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 23) Kingdom First - Rapid Resolution (2010-01-11)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - Restoring Broken Fellowship (2008-06-13)
(v. 24) Kingdom First - Rapid Resolution (2010-01-11)
(v. 24) Purpose Driven Life - Restoring Broken Fellowship (2008-06-13)
(v. 24) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 24) Prayer of the Righeous - Arms Wide Open (part III) (2012-10-13)
(v. 25) Kingdom First - Rapid Resolution (2010-01-11)
(v. 27) Kingdom First - Radical Righteousness (2010-01-12)
(v. 28) Kingdom First - Radical Righteousness (2010-01-12)
(v. 29) Kingdom First - Radical Righteousness (2010-01-12)
(v. 30) Kingdom First - Radical Righteousness (2010-01-12)
(v. 31) Kingdom First - True Companions (2010-01-13)
(v. 32) Kingdom First - True Companions (2010-01-13)
(v. 33) Life to the Full - Got to Pray (part 2) (2010-04-14)
(v. 34) Life to the Full - Got to Pray (part 2) (2010-04-14)
(v. 35) Life to the Full - Got to Pray (part 2) (2010-04-14)
(v. 36) Life to the Full - Got to Pray (part 2) (2010-04-14)
(v. 37) Kingdom First - Words are Big (2010-01-14)
(v. 37) Life to the Full - Got to Pray (part 2) (2010-04-14)
(v. 38) Kingdom First - Above and Beyond (part 1) (2010-01-15)
(v. 39) Life to the Full - In His Steps (part 5) (2010-04-24)
(v. 39) Kingdom First - Above and Beyond (part 1) (2010-01-15)
(v. 40) Kingdom First - Above and Beyond (part 1) (2010-01-15)
(v. 41) Kingdom First - Above and Beyond (part 1) (2010-01-15)
(v. 41) Kingdom First - Above and Beyond (part 2) (2010-01-16)
(v. 41) A Life of Impact - Shepherding (2009-07-08)
(v. 41) Purpose Driven Life - Thinking Like a Servant (part 1) (2008-07-03)
(v. 42) Kingdom First - Above and Beyond (part 1) (2010-01-15)
(v. 42) Kingdom First - Above and Beyond (part 2) (2010-01-16)
(v. 43) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 44) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 44) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 2) (2010-02-22)
(v. 44) Teach Us To Pray - Enemies and Opposition (2008-09-22)
(v. 44) Jesus with People - Daily Unconditional Love (2009-02-22)
(v. 44) Teach Us To Pray - Enemies and Opposition (2008-09-22)
(v. 45) Why We Need God - He is The Provider (2009-04-21)
(v. 45) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 45) Names of the Believers (part II) (2011-05-02)
(v. 46) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 47) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 48) Teach Us To Pray - Enemies and Opposition (2008-09-22)
(v. 48) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(v. 10) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 11) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 11) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 12) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 17) Bible Talk: X-treme Religion (0000-00-00)
(v. 20) Bible Talk: X-treme Religion (0000-00-00)
(v. 43) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 44) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 45) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 46) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 47) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 48) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
Definition(s):
Jesus (Jeez-us): savior; deliverer
Pharisees (Fehr-iss-ees): set apart
