End of Matthew - Beginning of Luke

Sermon on the Mount and Religious Practices

Overview of Living Righteously

  • Purpose: Jesus teaches how one should live to be right before God in a way that exceeds the standards of the scribes and Pharisees.

  • Key Points:

    • Not only actions but interior dispositions matter;

    • Examples:

      • Murder: Not just avoiding killing but also addressing anger and hatred.

      • Adultery: Not just avoiding physical acts but also avoiding lustful looks and impure desires.

      • Divorce: Not just avoiding invalid divorce but advocating for no divorce at all.

    • These reflect God’s original intention for marriage.

    • Oaths:

    • Moses did not say God permits divorce; it was a protective guideline.

    • Improper Oaths: Fulfilling an oath is critical; however, the best practice is to avoid oaths entirely to maintain honesty—“your yes is yes, and your no is no.”

    • Revenge:

    • The Old Testament allows “an eye for an eye,” but Jesus teaches no retaliation at all.

    • Instead of measured revenge, respond with kindness and love.

    • Love:

    • Contrast between loving one’s neighbor and the allowance to hate enemies.

    • Jesus commands unconditional love with no limits, indicating no hatred should reside in one’s heart.

Righteousness Defined

  • Righteousness is connected to the heart and attitudes rather than mere external compliance with the law.

    • The antitheses were a method to highlight the deeper implications of following God's law.

Instruction on Religious Practices

  • Religious Acts as per Matthew 6:1-18 (almsgiving, prayer, fasting)

  • Pattern of Instruction:

    1. Negative Instruction: Prohibitions on improper practices.

    2. Comparison to Hypocrites: How hypocrites act for public show and recognition.

    3. Positive Command: How genuine acts should be performed—only for God to see, not for public recognition.

  • Focus on Motivation:

    • Jesus emphasizes the internal motivation behind religious practices, encouraging sincerity over public spectacle.

    • Rewards for these acts come from God, not from human recognition.

The Lords Prayer (Our Father)

  • The double focus: God’s Transcendence and Closeness

    • The first part acknowledges God’s transcendence—“Our Father who art in heaven.”

    • The second part indicates closeness through the use of we/us language showing dependence.

  • Structure of the Lord's Prayer: The shift in pronouns mirrors the shift between addressing God and acknowledging human needs.

  • Importance of the order:

    • “Thy will be done,” precedes personal requests—emphasizing that accepting God’s will is paramount in prayer.

  • Every prayer is seen as an opportunity to align desires with God's will.

Implications of Forgiveness

  • “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

    • The significance is in God's mercy which transcends human abilities to forgive—encouraging disciples to imitate God's mercy.

Fasting

  • The aim of fasting is not for self-gain but fosters an awareness of those who lack provisions.

  • Fasting should be inconspicuous, avoiding public display and maintaining personal internal devotion to God.

Themes in the Gospel of Luke

  • Author: Luke, the beloved physician, known as a companion of Paul.

  • Date: Written between 80-85 CE; post-destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and before major persecutions in 81-96 CE.

  • Context and Audience: Aimed at a Gentile audience; shows a concern for the marginalized.

  • Role of the Holy Spirit: Seen throughout—driving force behind events, Jesus' ministry, and growth of the church.

    • The Holy Spirit's role is evident in the Incarnation and the life of the church.

Key Distinctions:

  • Matthew vs. Luke:

    • Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the Jewish Messiah; Luke presents Jesus as the Savior for all humanity, tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam, not just Abraham.

  • Women’s Role: Markedly present in Luke, showcasing their importance in Jesus' birth and ministry.

  • Universalism: Luke presents Christianity as a universal faith intended for Gentiles as well as Jews.

Conclusion:

  • The Sermon on the Mount and Luke's Gospel both emphasize the inner motivations behind righteousness, the equality of prayer, and acts of devotion demonstrating sincerity towards God rather than seeking recognition from others.

  • Jesus framed these concepts in a way that encourages reflection upon one's internal disposition towards actions of piety and merit rather than mere lawful observance.