Sunday: The Salt of the Earth — Matthew 5:13
It takes only a little salt to affect a large mass. Its natural properties permeate everything it touches. So it is to be with a Christian life in the midst of an unbelieving world: although the dedicated Christian community is a minority flowing through an ocean of lost humanity, yet we are to wield a powerful influence upon the world. One major aspect of salt is its ability to prevent putrefaction and decay—to preserve wholesomeness. Another quality of salt is to provide savor and prevent staleness. The true Christian will naturally feed and sustain the godliness of a nation and will infuse the world with the essential vitality of spiritual truth.
Monday: The Light of the World — Matthew 5:14-16
Not only is the world in darkness, and that darkness is deepening every day, but the world has no answers for its darkness. Truly, the only lights to be found in this world are the people of God, who have been made light because of their relationship to Christ (Eph. 5:8). Christians shine due to the way they live, and that radiance exposes the darkness. For this the Christian is hated. But the real mission of the believer isn’t to bring condemnation on the world, but to lead others out of the darkness into the light.
Tuesday: To Abolish or to Fulfill? — Matthew 5:17-18
Jesus began a new section of His sermon to discuss the practicalities of righteous living. In Matthew 5:17-20, He laid two foundational principles that will apply throughout His teaching. First, (vv. 17-18), we see that everything He would teach about righteousness is fully in harmony with the Old Testament. To “fulfill” means to “give perfect obedience to,” containing the opposite idea of abolishing. In stating this, Jesus placed His full acceptance and authority on the whole of the Old Testament. Jesus was the perfect fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and we are now complete in Him. In Christ, Old Testament truth is established. [See Writer’s Note at the end lesson 3 study questions for further comment]
Wednesday: A Surpassing Righteousness — Matthew 5:19-20
Two extremes are debunked in Jesus’ statement here. It is folly to believe in salvation by faith without any responsibility to morality and good works. We demonstrate the trueness of our faith by our good works (James 2:14-20). It is also folly to believe that we can be saved by living morally and doing good works. We can only be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Those who are truly transformed by the Spirit of God are those who come to God by faith in Christ, but the reality of that salvation is shown in both a new heart and changed life. In contrast, the religion of the scribes and Pharisees, based on man-made rules, focused on the external, formal, and ceremonial.
Thursday: The Danger of Anger — Matthew 5:21-22
The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of diluting the meaning and demands of God’s law. The word “judgment” in v.21 means “civil court.” The penalty for murder was reduced to paying a simple fine. Jesus illuminated the underlying motives of anger and hatred, teaching that a man could be rightly charged in court for them. Voicing contempt for or openly slandering someone could bring criminal charges, and ultimately lead to damnation.
Friday: Be Reconciled — Matthew 5:23-24
One subtle danger in the righteous life is trying to atone for failure by doing good. It is folly to make ceremonial sacrifices to cover up our shortcomings (Psalms 66:18), for God knows the condition of our hearts (1 John 3:20). Before our worship, sacrifices, and prayers will have value, we must be reconciled to others.
Saturday: Dealing with an Adversary — Matthew 5:25-26
Everyone has excuses. Perhaps we feel there’s a more appropriate time than the immediate for reconciliation. Perhaps we reason that we first need to get our thoughts together, and our words just right. Jesus says “NOW.” Even as the offense is being committed, be reconciled!