Ah…the Sermon on the Mount…just a few thoughts. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Poor in spirit refers to a state of mind, as in a broken and contrite spirit, drained of self, emptied in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Truly blessed are those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and not filled with self. 

“Blessed are those who mourn…” This mourning is a Godly sorrow, a mourning over sin. But those who mourn over their sins are also blessed because they know they have forgiveness for those sins.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

The Jews, under the guidance of the Pharisees were taught to keep the outward manifestations of the Law. Jesus commands that the heart be purified. These who are pure in heart have the inward manifestations and will see God with spiritual vision by faith. They can see God in all things, both here and in eternity. 

“Blessed are you when people insult you…” Sometimes this can take the form of unchristian talk around us. 

“Rejoice and be glad…” Easy to say, not so easy to do when we are being insulted and persecuted.

See the booklet Climbing the “Be Attitude” Mount by Phil and Patti Moore available on Amazon.

Jesus pronounces woes on certain people.  This doesn't mean these woes apply to all who are rich, or well fed or happy or respected, but those who put their faith, trust, and hope in those things. It is when those things are objects of pride that the woes apply.

When Jesus responded to Satan, He said, “It is written…” Jesus quoted Scripture. During the readings for today, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said…”
Jesus made it very clear that we shouldn’t rely on what others say or what traditions hold, or different interpretations, but that we should go straight to what is written in God’s Word and receive understanding through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus warns several times about doing good works only for the praise.  While it is important to do good works, the desire to do those good works should stem from obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit and not just for the praise.

Jesus was very clear concerning that debilitating emotion, worry.  "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  Replace worry with seeking His kingdom and His righteousness!

Matthew 7:7-12 deserves an entire day of its own!  So very much to ponder!  He has promised us that if we ask and seek and knock, we will receive, we will find, and the door will be opened.  When we "knock on His door", ask for and seek a personal relationship with Him, He absolutely will not deny us! However, we must be very cautious about some things we ask Him for.  For example, we can read in the Old Testament about what happened when the Israelite people asked for a king.  God warned them about what would happen and yet they persisted and so God gave them a king.  Most of the kings of Israel and Judah were ungodly. Another example is when the people during the wilderness wanderings complained about not having meat to eat and were longing to return to slavery in Egypt. God gave them quail to eat, so much quail that it made them sick.  If we are seeking Him, and desire a relationship with Him, we will ask Him for the things He wants to give us anyway.

Some very hard teaching in the following passage, so hard that many spiritual leaders avoid it for fear of being judgmental or politically incorrect. But…God’s Word says it and that settles it! No “wiggle” room here! Not all pathways lead to God.

Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

A famous quote:  "The fact that there is a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers."

Jesus tells us that He is that narrow gate.

John 10:9
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There is NO other way!

The crowds around Jesus then were "amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority..."

We can be just as amazed today!