The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6)

The Sermon on the Mount is heavy in its complexity and theology.  I cannot possibly hope to unravel it all in this sitting.  

There is some overlap in the sermons between the accounts in Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6, but they might also be two completely different sermons.  In Matthew, Jesus goes up a mountain, sits down, and preaches.  In Luke, Jesus goes down to a "level place" and preaches.  

I will refer to the Sermon on the Mount as written in Matthew to cover both because it is substantially longer than Luke's account.

The Sermon on the Mount contains a wide variety of teachings spanning different subject matters.  It is further complicated because it seems to enter symbolic parables and then transition to literal teaching and back to parables without textual guideposts.  The language can almost seem like the teachings are riddles.  Further, it mentions things if taken on a literal level, might seem impossible.  

For instance, Jesus challenges everyone to "be you therefore perfect as your heavenly father is perfect".  (Matt. 5:43-48).  What does this mean?  Perfectly redeemed through Christ?  Perfectly redeemed through animal sacrifice?  A goal of righteousness, but an obviously unattainable one based on human effort alone?  

The statement comes after a discussion of loving one's enemies, so I think it should at the least mean that being "perfect" is affiliated with loving one's enemies.

Jesus also teaches that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Further, he says that until heaven and earth disappear, the least part of the law will not disappear.  Further, he admonishes people not to break the commands or teach to others to do the same.  (Matt. 5:17-20).

This discussion was probably prompted by Jesus actions on the Sabbath, but we do not know.  Again, this is a strange statement because Jesus seems to be doing just that, at least with regard to the Sabbath.  Later, when talking about divorce with the Pharisees, Jesus will mention that the letters of divorce practice from the law of Moses was imperfect and that they should not divorce at all.  So, at some level, Jesus is changing the law.

Likewise, I know of no Christian group today that does animal sacrifice, which was required in the law.  So, at some level, the law of Moses will ceased to be practiced.  Further, if we jump ahead to the Count of Jerusalem (Acts 15), much of the law is omitted with regard to instructing the churches they should practice.

So, does that mean heaven and earth did pass away?  Was Jesus speaking euphemistically about heaven and earth passing away?  The answer is not clear.

I would say the Sermon on the Mount is full such parables and mysteries.

Regardless, the audience is amazed when Jesus is done.  Whatever the interpretation, the Sermon on the Mount was fresh wine.