Introduction
After Jesus had chosen his disciples, he began his ministry.
As well as performing miracles, which ensured that people started to take notice of him, Jesus wanted to teach people about God and how to develop a positive relationship with him. One of the early examples of Jesus’ teachings is known as the Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is one of Jesus' most famous teachings, delivered on a hillside to a large crowd. It is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 5-7), and contains the central principles of Christian ethics, - how people should live in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Kingdom of Heaven
The Kingdom of Heaven is used to refer to a time when God rules in people’s hearts and lives. It’s not a real kingdom with land or armies, but a way of living where people follow God’s ways — showing love, kindness, forgiveness, and fairness.
Jesus says the Kingdom has already begun because people can live God’s way now, but it will be fully complete in the future when the world is as God wants it to be — full of peace and goodness.
The Beatitudes
The sermon begins with the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that describe the qualities required in order to live in God's kingdom - the Kingdom of Heaven. These still hold great importance for Christians today.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The importance of the disciples
Jesus then spoke about his disciples, calling them the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." This emphasises their important role in bringing God’s message to people.
Torah
Jesus continued by addressing the Law found in the Torah (e.g., the Ten Commandments), stating that he has come not to abolish the laws but to fulfil them. He meant that he wasn't getting rid of the laws given to Moses in the Old Testament, but instead, he saw his life as being needed to complete the purpose of the laws (i.e., to bring people back to God).
Jesus taught that the deeper meaning of the laws is about love, justice, and mercy, not just following rules. By living a perfect life and teaching the principles of love and forgiveness, he showed how to truly put God's commandments into practice. His life and sacrifice fulfilled the ultimate goal of the laws: to bring people closer to God.
Love at the heart of the teaching
A key theme throughout the Sermon on the Mount is love. Jesus taught that love should guide all actions — love for God and love for others, even enemies. This was radical at the time, because it went beyond keeping rules. True righteousness meant showing kindness, mercy, and forgiveness in everyday life.
Prayer
The Sermon on the Mount also includes teachings on prayer, giving to the needy, and trusting God. Jesus introduced the Lord's Prayer as a model for how to pray.
Faith, not show
He warned against performing religious acts for show and encouraged people to seek God’s kingdom, and to have faith that God would look after them.
The Golden Rule
Jesus taught about the importance of forgiveness, loving enemies, and a key principle of Christian ethics known as the Golden Rule:
Do to others what you would have them do to you.
The Parable of the wise and foolish builders
The Sermon on the Mount concludes with the parable of the wise and foolish builders.
There are two men who each built a house. The wise builder constructed his house on a solid rock foundation. When a storm came with heavy rain and strong winds, the house remained standing because it was built on a strong base. In contrast, the foolish builder built his house on sand. When the storm hit, the house collapsed because its foundation was weak.
Jesus used this parable to teach that those who listen to his words and put them into practice are like the wise builder. Their lives are built on a solid foundation, able to withstand challenges and difficulties. However, those who hear his words but do not act on them are like the foolish builder, and their lives can easily fall apart when faced with troubles. The parable shows the importance of not just hearing Jesus’ teachings but living by them.
A radical message
Overall, the Sermon on the Mount presents a radical vision of the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasising love, humility, and true goodness, and it remains a foundational text for Christian living. It was radical because it challenged the way people normally thought about power, wealth, and religion. Instead of praising the rich, powerful, or outwardly religious, Jesus blessed the poor, humble, and persecuted. He focused on inner goodness, love, and forgiveness rather than strict rule-keeping, which went against the attitudes of many religious leaders at the time.
📚 Key Terms:
Eight blessings that describe the qualities required to live in God’s kingdom.
The behaviours required for being a good person.
Key moral principle; fairness in the way people are treated.
Part of the understanding of the nature of God; God as compassionate.
Jesus’ work and teachings to share God’s message and help people.
The person through whom God set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt, gave the Ten Commandments and made a covenant with Israel.
A story with a deeper meaning.
Communicating with God; listening to and speaking to God.
An important teaching given by Jesus on a hillside. It includes the Beatitudes.
Source of authority; religious and moral rules that were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
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Level: 8