Jesus teaches the proclamation of the Kingdom

As a preface to this study take note of the Apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 15:8

. ⁸Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of (to) the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

The circumcision were the group Jesus was teaching in the book of Matthew 4 and 5

The verses in Matthew chapters 4 and 5 are addressed them. Many modern readers read these verses as if they directly apply to them. The teaching content of the sermon on the mount was for people of that day and time. About 2022 years ago

We begin this study in the book of Matthew 4:23-25

23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

At this time Jesus had open access to the synagogues and there were people believing his words and receiving healings to the end they would follow Jesus from location to location. He finally settled at the mount opened his mouth and taught

Math 5: 1-9

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Jesus taught the disciples present. These were not the run of the mill of a random crowd, nor were the members of the multitudes gathered. Their condition is stated as “Blessed” and because of their receptiveness they

“shall be filled” Most of the assembly present had come to learn and conduct

themselves by following the words from Jesus.

They were the merciful to obtain mercy.

They were the pure in heart who shall see God.

They were peacemakers in their time called the children of God.

Math 5:10-12

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The circumcision the believers of Jesus at this time were told by Christ : men shall persecute, and speak falsely, for my sake and told them how to behave

during the times of their actions. Rejoice and be exceeding glad.

Math 5:13

¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Verse 13 contains the figure of speech metaphor. The people were not made of salt. They represented something. They represented a truly believing group of people. Real salt if exposed to the environment it is good for nothing, this represents the persecution of the evil speaking persecutors. Who the circumcision were not to react to but to rejoice in spite of, if they did they would no longer be of any good for the Lord in his

work to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.

Matthew 5:14-16

¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

In Matthew 5:14 contains another metaphor. “Ye are the light of the world”. They

were not literally made of light but Jesus called them that. Something about these

Jews represented light. The audience Jesus was teaching were knowledgeable of

The Old Testament having been instructed in them since youth.

Let us read some of these verses:

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 97:1-12

97:1

The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

97:2

Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

97:3

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

97:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

97:6

The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

97:7

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

97:8

Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

97:9

For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

97:10

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

97:11

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

97:12

Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 119:1-16

119:1	Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
119:2	Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
119:3	They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
119:4	Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
119:5	O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
119:6	Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
119:7	I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
119:8	I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
119:9	Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
119:10	With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
119:11	Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
119:12	Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
119:13	With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
119:14	I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
119:15	I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
119:16	I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Proverbs 4:18-23

4:18	But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
4:19	The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
4:20	My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
4:21	Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
4:22	For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
4:23	Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

This mindset is why they were qualified to be called The light of the world

by our Lord.

Matthew 5:14-16

Despite the adversity of the times, Jesus told them to “let your light so shine before men” The light (the truth they had in their being) was to be displayed to the end that anyone observing the disciples actions could see their good works and glorify (Greek is

Doxazo) God.

Matthew 5:18-20

18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

A jot is the smallest Hebrew letter (=y) it looks like the English character apostrophe the “tittle” is also small. The point Jesus is making to the multitude is that everything in the old testament will come to pass. In Verse 19 He tells them just what to continue doing and when the kingdom of heaven arrives (this event is still to come) they shall be called great (Greek is megas=massive).

20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

In the times Jesus was teaching righteousness was determined by an individual’s actions. Not met by the scribes and Pharisees.

In our Day and time biblically a person’s righteousness was accomplished by Christs work.

Rom 3:21

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Rom 3:22

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

During the teaching on the mount Jesus eluded to the works of the scribes and Pharisees.