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Matthew 5, 6, and 7, along with Luke 6:20-49, are commonly called the Sermon on the Mount. In these passages, Jesus outlines the “New Dispensation.” The moral law of Judaism is expanded, and the moral law of Christianity applies God's teachings to our daily lives. Like any father, God wants his children to be happy and live productive, fruitful lives. The Sermon on the Mount shows us how to achieve that.
The first 12 verses of Matthew are known as the Beatitudes. They all start with the word “blessed,” which can be translated as “happy.” Each beatitude deals with a personal way to find happiness and contentment. Being poor in spirit is an alternative to being proud and frustrated with feeling superior to others. To mourn (Matthew 5:4) refers to a change in thinking (2 Corinthians 7:10). Being meek (Matthew 5:5) means being gentle. To hunger (Matthew 5:6) is to be at peace with your new understanding. Luke 15:17 offers an example through the parable of the prodigal son. To be merciful (Matthew 5:7) involves the joy of forgiving and being forgiven.
Being pure in heart (Matthew 5:8) means living free from corruption. Though there is little joy in a casino, fellowship with fellow believers brings great joy and laughter. Being a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9), rather than causing conflict, provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Being persecuted for doing what is right (Matthew 5:11-12) brings satisfaction and a sense of achievement. All these principles lead to joyful living.
The rest of the sermon addresses the challenges we face in life and teaches how to handle them. Matthew 5:21-24 discuss anger and peacemaking. Matthew 5:27-32 focus on avoiding sexual misconduct, pornography, and divorce. Matthew 5:33-37 warns against oaths and false promises, which can cause guilt and hypocrisy. One major mental stressor is the desire to get even for perceived injustices, but choosing not to retaliate brings peace.
Matthew 6 starts by instructing us to give to others quietly, which is key to feeling good about our actions. Matthew 6:5-18 emphasize developing a close, personal relationship with God through prayer and fasting — focusing solely on God rather than seeking human approval. Matthew 6:24-34 teaches us not to worry about food or clothing, trusting that God will provide — all of which reduces stress and promotes mental stability.
Matthew 7 begins by urging Christians not to be judgmental or hypocritical. It is not our place to judge others, because as Joe Cocker sang in “Walk a Mile in My Shoes,” we do not know what others are facing. Matthew 7:9-11 remind us that only good things come from God, and Matthew 7:12 presents the “golden rule” — treat others as you want to be treated. Religious con artists can cause suffering, and Matthew 7:15-22 encourages us to evaluate the fruit of religious teachers before accepting their teachings.
The extent to which we accept and apply Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount will determine our happiness and contentment. These teachings are unique to Christianity because they come from God, not human wisdom. We all face struggles, and Jesus understands this. In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus says, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” To nonbelievers, these events cause worry and despair. But believers know that what we experience here is the worst we will ever endure. In the end, Christians will find perfect peace and joy with God. Revelation 21-22 describes the complete peace and comfort Christians will have with God in the new heaven and new earth. It will be joy that we can only imagine.
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Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website.