TEACHING NOTES Introduction Last week we began our study of the Sermon on the Mount, which is Jesus’ announcement of the New Covenant. The sermon began with the Beatitudes or the identification of the blessed ones. In the next section of the sermon, Jesus is going to tell us the purpose of the blessed ones. They are to be salt and light in the world. Mt. Sinai & The Sermon on the Mount One of Matthew’s goals in his Gospel is to present Jesus as the new Moses that Israel had been waiting to arrive. God promised that a prophet like Moses would come to give a new word from God (Deut. 18:18-19). Just as Moses ascended a mountain to mediate between God and people and receive the Law of God (covenant), Jesus ascends a mountain to mediate a New Covenant. The Identity & Purpose of Israel ​ Exodus 19:5 ESV 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; Identity: Who are God’s people called to be? God calls Israel His treasured possession among all people. Of all the groups of people on earth, God chooses to rescue a group of slaves and bless them as His own people. Israel’s identity was “the blessed ones.” Jesus begins the New Covenant by identifying His people as the blessed ones—Matt. 5:1-12. The kind of people that the world rejected are going to be His treasured possession of blessed-by-God people—just like Israel had been. In Hebrew, blessing is not a possession but an identity and purpose. The first time the concept of blessing is used in the Bible is in the creation story. In Gen. 1:22, 28 blessing is a statement of purpose. Blessing is followed by God declaring their purpose. ​ Exodus 19:6 ESV 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Purpose: What are God’s people called to do? Israel’s purpose was to be a kingdom of priests who would display God’s character to all the other nations. They were called to be “a blessing” and “a light” to the nations (Gen. 12:2-3; Isa. 49:6; 60:3). This was Israel’s purpose, but they repeatedly fail. Jesus begins the New Covenant the same way: Identity: Jesus says the kingdom belongs to the blessed ones (Matt. 5:1-12). Purpose: This kingdom of blessed ones will be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16). The Purpose of God’s New Covenant People ​ Matthew 5:13 ESV 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Salt of the earth = Salt had three important uses: Preservation: Just as salt preserved meat from decay, God’s people work to preserve or protect God’s creation from evil and ruin. Flavoring: Just as salt improves the taste of food, God’s people seek to improve the world by displaying a better way of life and improving life for those around them. Healing: Just as salt can help to heal wounds, God’s people help the wounded toward healing. Other uses for Salt: Salt was also used to destroy the earth. In Judges 9:45 after Abimelech had defeated Shechem, he spread or “sowed” salt so that nothing could grow there. Salt was used in the sacrifices in the tabernacle (Lev. 2:13). Salt was used in making covenants (Num. 18:19; 2 Chr. 13:5). Salt has lost its taste = The Greek word translated “taste” here is moraino, which means to become foolish or useless. Jesus is saying that when salt has lost its effectual properties, it become useless. In the same way, when followers of Jesus become foolish, they become useless or even destructive. ​ Matthew 5:14–16 ESV 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Light of the world = We need to remember that the audience is filled with people who were not considered blessed or influential. Jesus declares that these people are actually the light of the world. The Functions of Light: Light drives out darkness. Light brings life. Light & Life = In John’s Gospel, Jesus is described as light. John 1:4-5 “4 In him [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” John 11:10 “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”” John 12:36 “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:46 “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Illustration: If you plant a seed and then keep it in darkness, it will never grow. Light is required for life. Even our bodies are designed to need light in order to function properly. Darkness leads to death, but disciples of Jesus love the light and stay in the light so they can become the light that overcomes darkness. A city on a hill cannot be hidden = In Rev. 21:9-27 the Bride of Christ (the church) is described as a massive city (the New Jerusalem). The followers of Jesus are like a great city or kingdom that cannot be ignored. Let your light shine = Believers must not be undercover Christians. It would be stupid to light a lamp and then cover it up. That would make the light useless, much like salt without taste. So that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father = Here we clearly see that our good works are not to be done for our glory. Any good works must be done for the glory of God. Those who claim to follow Jesus are either drawing people to the Father or pushing them away from the Father. How can we make sure we are salt & light? Stay committed to improving, rather than criticizing the world around you. Stay in the light personally (with God) and collectively (with believers). Conclusion Today we respond in worship, communion, and prayer. Our prayer should be a recommitment to Jesus and asking for wisdom and power to be salt and light.