After his announcement by John the Baptist (3:1–12), his authentication at baptism (3:13–17), and his proven acceptability through temptation (4:1–11), Jesus finally appears proclaiming the imminent arrival of the kingdom that God had promised to the nation of Israel, that which they had been anticipating for centuries. And while his ministry attracted crowds as large as they were diverse, the long-awaited King takes a moment to instruct his disciples specifically. And, in the opening paragraphs of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has two main lessons for his followers: The first has to do with their character and the second, their commission. Jesus “opened his mouth and began to teach” his disciples who they’re to be and what they’re to do.
Key Passage: Matthew 5:1-16
Speaker: Josiah Boyd
