WTW 2022
28 April
Sermon on the Mount
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2
Read Matthew 5-7 with us today. There is much here. Much depth. Much profound teaching. These things are teachings of the New Covenant. These things are hidden from the wise of this world yet revealed to little children.
Is JESUS addressing these things to everyone or only to His followers?
Are these teachings for God’s children only or for all people?
Can all who hear these words become God’s children if they receive these words or can people only receive these words if they are God’s children?
Share your insights and any questions by commenting with your thoughts below. Let us encourage and exhort each other in these things as long as it is called today.
Wisdom in the WORD 
Salt & Light
-eyn
Is the entire sermon on the mount addressed to the disciples (Mt 5:8) or a large group (7:28)? He says things like “you are the salt of the earth,” “you are the light of the world,” “your Father in heaven,” “you, being evil.”
If to the multitude, could it be that Jesus was acknowledging the Jews as a people as being children of God, the salt of the earth and light of the world? This would be reminiscent of passages in Isaiah. He is clearly addressing a Jewish audience.
-eny
The hearers were those hearers
To all who hear His voice and receive the WORD
All who receive His message are the light of the world
-eyn
I agree. But no condition is made in this case.
“You are the salt of the earth”
“You are the light of the world.”
I never noticed this before. It seems unusual that Jesus would make such statements about a mass of people. He makes clear distinctions in other situations.
-eny
JESUS was definitely speaking directly to the disciples
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
Matthew 5:1-2
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
-eyn
I noticed that. There were times when He spoke privately to just the disciples. But in this case He was fine with a large audience overhearing His teachings. Other times He spoke to the masses.
-eny
Much here
Is the specific consideration whether or not only followers are salt & light?
Only followers are salt & light
Confirmed throughout the WORD
Indeed, others may be salt underfoot
And others light may be great darkness
Only followers are zesty salt and bright light
-eyn
Yes, that was the question. This was so early on in Jesus’ ministry (according to Matthew’s account) that I’m wondering why He said this at this point without the usual conditions we see elsewhere. Because they had agreed to follow Him (chapter 4)?
-eny
Is it helpful to consider that these are metaphors, paroimia, proverbs, sayings, teachings?
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
People are trees: good & bad
Salt: salty & bland
Light: bright & dark
Do you agree
All people are salt
All people are light
Many are called
Few are chosen
All have been given life
Those who reject or squander Messiah become worthless salt and the light of their life becomes darkened
This message he preached from the beginning is the message of the new covenant, the terms, if you will of this new covenant. All are welcome to hear and to receive but only those whom He chooses will receive and to as many as receive Him, to them He gives the power to become sons of the Most High.
-eyn
I guess I’d never thought of it applying to all people. Losing saltiness suggests someone was salty beforehand.
-eny
Worthy truths to search out
What means this
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:23
And does this psalm apply to all people or only to the elect?
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16
-eyn
Yes, in the same vein.
Just as all are branches, but not all abide in a Him; some are broken off and thrown into the fire.
Paul also acknowledged the expression “we are all His children” when in Mars Hill.
So there are things that can be said of all, but there is a line, a wicket gate.
-eny
So do all people from conception have placed in them from God some salt, some light, some measure of grace, some seed of faith?
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And so it is that Paul says
Once I was alive apart from the law. Then, sin came and death sprang to life and I died.
We understand he is speaking as the collective mankind in Adam.
None is righteous, except in Christ
“…else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”
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