Notes: Sept 23, 2021

Sermon on the Mount

• Havruta
• Beatitudes
• Antithesis

Setting

He's sitting on a mountain, we don't know which.

He's teaching on a mountain in order to draw a parallel with Moses:

• lawgiver
• both go up on a mount to give the law
• five books = five sermons

President Benson: It would be good to periodically review the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount.

Havruta

A Jewish way of studying (means "friendship"). You and another person study together, make sure that what they are discussing is inline with the text.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Also "Iron sharpeneth iron"

Similar to pair programming...

Each partner is responsible for his own learning, but also his partner's learning.

Process more important than product

Expand understanding rather than finding a final interpretation

Develop critical thinking skills

Core practices

1. Listening and articulating
2. Wondering and focusing
3. Supporting and challenging

Balance between partners is key!

Beatitudes

beatus - blessed
makarios - happy

One question is what is the relation between the different beatitudes.

Summary of Sermon (Chapter 5)

1. The Beatitudes (3-12)
2. Salt and Light (13-16)
3. Law and the Prophets (17-20)
4. Antitheses (21-48)

Antitheses

Internal Principles vs. External Commandment

Jesus is helping the people to understand principles, not just commandments.

Jesus wants people not to do, but to become.

Laws present thesis; Jesus presents thesis + antithesis

"The law says that, I say that plus this" - Terrestrial law vs. Celestial law

"Be ye therefore perfect": perfect means whole or complete

Also can be seen in context of pericope: love enemies = perfect

See also Sermon in Luke (6:27-36)