A Slice of the Beatitudes: Part 2

I want to pick up where I left off in my previous article titled "A Slice of the Beatitudes". In the previous article on the Beatitudes, I made the association that the Beatitudes are the Law and the Prophets. Here I want to focus more on where Jesus says,

Matthew 7:12 CSB17

“Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

So what is the Law that Christ talks about when he says this? Again, as my previous article stated, the Law and the Prophets are the Beatitudes. But I haven't said how. So I will explain that. This will be a short article with more reading that is necessary outside of this article and in the sermon on the mount to see my point.

The way I see it, Jesus is using a literary device in the sermon on the mount. The general pattern is that Jesus gives the Beatitudes and then describes in the opposite order what the Beatitudes entail.

I will post the Beatitudes again so you can see it for yourself.

Matthew 5:1–10 CSB17

“When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the humble,

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 sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

First, there is an introduction to what Christ was doing in teaching his Disciples on the mountain in Matthew 5:1-3.

Next, we see Jesus describe those who are persecuted when He talks about rejoicing in persecution and being salt and light in Matthew 5:11-16. Then Jesus has an interlude about Christ fulfilling the Law and Prophets in Matthew 5:17-20.

Then, Jesus describes the peacemakers in Matthew 5:21-26. There is no interlude here.

Then, Jesus describes those with a pure heart when He talks about adultery and divorce in Matthew 5:27-32. Then, another interlude where He talks about telling the truth in Matthew 5:33-37.

Then, Jesus describes those who are merciful when He talks about going the extra mile and loving your enemies in Matthew 5:38-48. Then, another interlude where He talks about how to give in Matthew 6:1-4.

Then, Jesus describes those who hunger and thirst for righteousness when He talks about how to pray and the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:5-15. Then, another interlude where He talks about how to fast.

Then, Jesus describes those who are humble when He talks about possessions and anxiety in Matthew 6:19-34. Then, another interlude where He talks about not judging in Matthew 7:1-6.

Then, Jesus describes those who mourn when He talks about asking, seeking, and knocking in Matthew 7:7-12. There is no interlude here.

Then, Jesus describes those who are poor in spirit when He talks about entering the kingdom in Matthew 7:13-23 and ends his discussion on the Beatitudes.

Then, there is an ending to what Christ was doing in teaching his Disciples on the mountain circling back to the introduction in Matthew 7:24-29.

So the pattern is that there is an introduction of what Christ is doing and an ending to what Christ is doing at the beginning and end respectively. Then, out of the 8 different Beatitudes, there is a teaching on all of them and an interlude for all of them except the ones Jesus talks about second and second to last.

Thanks for reading!

God bless you! Until next time!