In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. But seek first His kingdom and His righ­teousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 5:16; 6:33.

INTRODUCTION

After Jesus’s time in the des­ert, He launched into His public ministry by proclaiming the mes­sage that the kingdom of God was at hand, choosing His disciples, and preaching to and healing the crowds.

With Matthew 5, the Gospel shifts to the record of Jesus’s Ser­mon on the Mount – His teaching on how citizens of the kingdom of God should conduct themselves. The sermon begins with the Beati­tudes; blessings God gives to peo­ple who cultivate certain spiritual attributes.

They emphasize inner motives rather than mere outward con­formity. Jesus then shifted His message to the issue of behaviour. Jesus addressed several Jewish laws and helped His disciples understand how right behaviour is never the ultimate indicator.

A person must have the right heart motive too. The commands of God remind us that He has a plan for how we ought to live our lives, and that plan is based on who He is and how He’s treated us.

Ultimately, we must remember that the God who demands perfec­tion has already provided a means through the perfect sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

As Salt and Light, we believe in the Sermon on the Mount as Je­sus’s Kingdom values for everyday living. We would like to share this again since it is still relevant to us today.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT — MATTHEW 5:1-48

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a moun­tainside and sat down. His disci­ples came to Him, and He began to teach them.

THE BEATITUDES

He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hun­ger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peace­makers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when peo­ple insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. -Matthew 5:1-12

To be continued!

Stay blessed!

For further inquiries, please con­tact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615

Email: saltnlightministries@gmail. com

Website: saltandlightministriesgh. org

By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author