Entrance, Reward and Recognition

Matthew 5:1-16.

The disciples are being addressed in this segment of the “Sermon on the Mount”. First they are told of various blessings that will be given to people who possess various attributes. The last attribute is persecution. Those people who are persecuted for righteousness sake will receive the blessing of the “kingdom of heaven”.

Then Jesus addresses a blessing that the disciples themselves would receive for being persecuted… a great reward in heaven. Persecuted righteous people generally would receive the kingdom of heaven. Presumably, the persecuted disciples would not only receive the kingdom of heaven but something greater.

They then are exhorted to work openly, in spite of impending persecution, so that all could see their good works and cause God to be glorified. In other words, they were not to hide their works so they could escape persecution.

Jesus tells them that the Law and Prophets would last until “heaven and earth pass away” and until “all things be accomplished”.... even the least significant (jot or one tittle) parts of the law would last. The disciples were responsible to teach the whole law and prophets even the very “least” parts. If they would do this and live accordingly they would be called “great in the kingdom of heaven”.

Finally Jesus tells them that their “righteousness” must be greater than the righteousness of the most righteous people of their society… the Scribes and the Pharisees. In fact if their righteousness was not greater… they couldn’t even gain access to the kingdom of heaven. The rest of the text describes the path to being more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees.

The disciples could enter the kingdom of heaven by being of greater righteousness than the Scribes and Pharisees. In addition, if they were persecuted for their righteousness they would receive a great reward in heaven. And finally, if they taught the complete word and didn’t leave even the “least” part out (and lived accordingly) they would be called “great” in heaven.