5:2
“and He began to teach them. He said”. Sometimes the Sermon on the Mount is seen as being opposed to the Law, particularly with regard to the “you have heard it said, but I say ..” type parts. This is nonsense. All the teaching in the Sermon is entirely consistent with the Old Testament. The “you have heard it said” bits are a rebuke of the teaching of the teachers of the Law, not the Law itself. What Jesus is doing is getting to the heart of the Law, the heart of God. Are we under the Law anymore? No. Is the Law relevant, absolutely, for it expresses the heart of God, and the heart of God remains the same.
5:3
“Blessed” is the most common translation, though some version have “happy”. “Blessed” is probably best. Jesus begins His teaching not by giving a list of instructions or commands, but on addressing attitudes of heart. The Pharisees focused on outward appearances, Jesus focused on the heart, for it is from our heart that everything else flows, and our actions, good or bad, are the fruit of our heart attitudes. And remember that in the Bible “heart” usually includes mind, will and emotions, not just our emotions. The first beatitude mentioned is being poor in spirit. The Pharisees were proud of their righteousness, and were roundly condemned for this by Jesus. In contrast, a true child of God will be all too aware of their own sinfulness and weaknesses. And the kingdom of heaven was made for those who know their utter need of mercy and help.
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