Julie
Wow! There is so much in this one to talk about...
I am not sure why Matthew doesn't mention the other disciples here, but if I am not mistaken it was more than these 4 that were with him at the Sermon on the Mount, especially since Matthew is writing about it. This is where the Beatitudes come from and they are basically blessings. He explains to the disciples that they need to be a light that shines and shares the Word of God with others and don't hide their knowledge. Everyone believes at this time that Jesus is changing the laws, but he is showing that they are not being fulfilled in the right way and is there to help show us how we can fulfill them in the right way. He explains that the Scribes and Pharisees have lost their way and they will not be entering heaven as they are no longer fulfilling the laws of God and are leading people astray. From here we are reminded about controlling our anger, what it is to be lustful, when divorce is sinful...I am going to add here about oath...
I had to read the explanation a bit more but it says, "An oath involved using God's name or a substitute for it, to guarantee the truth of one's statement. Jesus' disciples should be so honest that their words can be believed without an oath." So we are being told that we should be so honest that we should not have to "swear to God." I believe that is what is being said here...continuing on...we should not retaliate against others, but let God take care of them, we should love our enemies...it is easy to love those we like, but shows greater strength to love those we have trouble with...give to those in need and don't judge them, the section about prayer is very important, I think. I know that I struggled with whether or not I was praying correctly and I loved this when I first read it. Are prayers are really between us and God and we should be praying in private. That is not to say that we should not pray with others, but when we do it does not need to be a lot of words, but to just talk to God and ask and be thankful. The Lord's Prayer kind of covers a lot of bases for us to where we can prayer that prayer and ask God for many things, although this does point out that we need to be as forgiving to others as God is to us.
Calm and quiet your soul.
Michelle
There was alot to unpack here. I was wondering about the other disciples too, as I was certain there were more by this point, but also, I expected they would be discussed before this. Everything you have said is spot on. I think Jesus is better explaining so people can understand what God wants. Kind of simplifying it all, if you will. What you are saying about swearing to God makes complete sense. We should always be honest no matter what. People find that hard, I don't but it seems to aid in me alienating myself cuz people can't always take the truth or don't want to hear it but are searching for someone to tell them what they want to hear, which is not always the right thing. It feels like this whole reading is about not being boastful. We should be good and do the right thing and share God's word always but should do it because it's right and not because we want to be popular, powerful, or prideful.
This sounds like a prayer to quiet yourself, to not be concerned with matters not your business. That you should put your hope in the Lord.
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