Lesson 5 – The King’s Code of Behavior
Read Matthew 5 – www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.5

In this chapter we look at Jesus the King’s code of behavior for people in His Kingdom. Many of us think of the 10 Commandments as being this code, but look at the difference between the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 and these first twelve verses in this chapter. It is the difference between action and attitude, between what we do and who we are at heart. Do your actions determine what you think, or do your thoughts determine how you act? We will find Jesus answering this question in Matthew 15:18. These verses are often called the Beatitudes – may we call them the BE attitudes? Study each of these verses about who Jesus wants His kingdom citizens to BE.

Being poor in spirit is the opposite of being proud. Being mournful means we are conscious of sin. Being meek means we don’t think ourselves better than others. Being hungry and thirsty for righteousness means we want to be like Jesus. Being merciful means we treat others as we wish to be treated. Being pure in heart means we confess our sins to Jesus immediately. Being peacemakers means we want others to have the same blessings we have in Jesus. Being joyful even when we are being wronged by others means we have our hearts set on our eternal home rather than on this temporary one.


In verses 13-16 Jesus calls us salt and light. This is a way of saying that who we are in this world will be noticed by others. A light is not meant to be hidden in darkness, and salt is not something you can hide in food. Being salt and light will set us apart from those around us who do not belong to the King’s family. People around us should be able to tell there’s something different about you just because you belong to a different Kingdom than they do.

Verses 17-20 tell us that Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to throw it away. We are members of His kingdom by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), but that doesn’t mean we can ignore those commandments. It only means we must BE that citizen so we can ACT like His Kingdom citizen.

In verses 21-26, Jesus tells us how anger is opposite of the love He wants us to have for other people, and in verses 27-32 how not having love will break apart our families. In verses 33-37 we see how love will be honest and truthful. Verses 38-42 show us how love acts when it has been wronged. Finally, in verses 43-48 we see love in action even for those who do not love us back.

*Which do you think is easier – obeying the 10 Commandments or living out the Beatitudes? Why?
*Who gives us the power and strength to resist temptation and obey God?