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Matthew 5-7 – The Structure of the Sermon on the Mount #1
As is often true but overlooked, we can learn much by the way something is structured. To not see the organization is to only see each tree within the forest. Even looking at one tree, we fail if we don’t see how the roots and soil, even the weather all contribute. It is never just one tree. It is the same when simply seeing all the individual ingredients within your favorite meal but not tasting how they all come together, or how they are cooked. Jesus’ masterpiece of morality is not to be interpreted piece-meal, seeing only isolated tidbits. It is not a sermon of platitudes and proverbs. The whole interprets the parts and the parts interpret the whole.
The structure of the Sermon on the Mount can be divided into three divisions:
- The Sermon itself
- The Setting of the Sermon (Immediate Context)
- Introduction and Conclusion
- The Setting of the Sermon (Greater Context)
- The book of Matthew 1-7
Let’s look at each of these in reverse order. The first teaches us who Jesus is. The second, what Jesus was doing. And the third, what Jesus taught.
The Setting of the Sermon (Greater Context)
The Structure of Matthew 1-7
Teaches Us Who Jesus Is
First, we need to look at the structure of the Sermon as organized by Matthew starting at the beginning of his book – the greater context. There are many hints, but one is suggested by asking, “Why did Jesus (and Matthew include) that this sermon is preached on a mount or mountain? The reason is Jesus is the new and greater Moses. Why is this important? Because Moses went to a mountain to receive God’s law and prophesied this (Deuteronomy 18:15) and Moses said, “you must listen to Him.” Plus, God Himself said on another mountain, “this is my beloved Son, listen to Him” (Mt.17:5). Notice this important distinction – Moses received the Law written by the finger of God (Ex.31:18). Jesus spoke, “but I say to you” and spoke with an authority not like their Scribes (7:29).
Both stories begin with a child being born, by grace escaping the wrath of a king, raised and adopted by one that he was not biologically related to, and then the stories continues by skipping to his adulthood. Who are the stories about? Jesus and Moses. Matthew records the story of Jesus, and the Jews are to see the story of Moses being relived.
Exodus
1. Birth Narrative – Slaughter (1)
2. Birth Narrative – Birth of Moses (2)
3. Birth Narrative Rescue in Egypt (2.5-10)
4. Flees Egypt (2.11-15)
5. Sandals Narrative – Holy Ground (3)
6. Declaration – “My People” (5.1)
7. Red Sea/Baptism (13-15)
8. Wilderness (16-19)
9. Israel tests God (15-17)
10. Manna Provided (16)
11. Moses Chooses 70 judges (18)
12. Mt. Sinai Law (20)
Matthew
2. Birth Narrative – Birth of Jesus (2)
3. Birth Narrative Rescue in Egypt (2.13-15)
1. Birth Narrative – Slaughter (1-2)
4. Returns from Egypt (2.19-23)
5. Sandals Narrative – John Unworthy (3)
7. Baptism (3)
6. Declaration – “My Son” (3.17)
8. Wilderness (4)
9. Satan tempts Son of God (4)
10. “Man shall not live by bread alone” (4)
11. Jesus Chooses 3 Disciples (4.18-22)
12. Sermon on Mount (5-7)
Let me repeat what I wrote before. Why is this important? Because Moses went to a mountain to receive God’s law and prophesied this (Deuteronomy 18:15) and Moses said, “you must listen to Him.” Plus, God Himself said on another mountain, “this is my beloved Son, listen to Him” (Mt.17:5). Notice these important distinctions:
- Moses received the Law written by the finger of God (Ex.31:18). Jesus spoke, “but I say to you” and spoke with an authority not like their Scribes (7:29).
- God spoke to Moses on the Mountain (Ex.20:1). Jesus spoke to the Jews on the Mountain (Mt.5:2).
- Moses was in the presence of God on the Mountain (Ex.32). The Jews were in the presence of God on the Mountain (proved in Mt.17).
Who is on this Judean Mountain? The New Moses. The Greater Moses. God Himself in the flesh.
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