TEXT: Matthew 7:28-29

SUBJECT: Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount #25: Epilogue

He begins with the reaction: "...the people were astonished at His teaching".

The word "astonished" means surprised--not mildly--but very, very surprised. It explains, for example, how people feel when they see the dead raised to life. They're thunderstruck. One can be astonished either negatively or positively. In the last few days, I've felt both. On Thursday, I was astonished that my father needed open-heart surgery. On Sunday, I was astonished that he could go home the next day. It's been an astonishing week for me.

How is the word used here? Favorably. The people are not gnashing their teeth at Jesus, but honoring Him as "the prophet who is to come into the world". To quote Wesley, they were

"Lost in wonder,

Love and praise".

Who was astonished? "...the people were astonished". Who are they? Matthew identifies them in 5:1: "And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him".

The "disciples" were among "the people". These were men who already knew the Lord Jesus; knew Him well. They had heard His teaching and seen His miracles. They were deeply impressed with Him. One of them went so far as to say, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!" In the words of the Amplified Bible, even they were "Astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder".

The "people" were more than His disciples--many more. They were from "Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan" says 4:25. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judea were--for the most part--devout and respectable people. But those from Galilee were not! They were "the people who sat in darkness". They were equally astonished.

On that day, both friend and foe confessed "Never a man spoke as this Man speaks".

What surprised them so much? "...the people were astonished at His teaching". In English, the word "teaching" can be understood as either a verb or a noun.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I'm teaching school."

This describes the act of teaching. The Lord was a very impressive Preacher. But it is not His presentation that "astonished the people".

The word "teaching" is a noun. The KJV has it right. "...the people were astonished at His doctrine" (i.e., the content of His sermon). What about it was so amazing? Everything!

"I will open My mouth in parables;

I will utter things which have been

kept secret from the foundation

of the world".

And so, the first people to hear this Sermon were "astonished". Are you? If not, you haven't heard it at all. God give us "ears to hear".

The reaction is given in v.28; it is explained in v.29: "for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes".

The Scribes were men of immense learning--but no wisdom. They were preoccupied with secondary issues. When it came to "tithing mint, anise, and cumin", they had much to say. But they hadn't thought much about "justice, mercy, and faith". The Scribes would exalt the "letter" of Scripture over its spirit. That God is compassionate is irrelevant to them; if the Law says, "Do no work on the Sabbath", no work can be done--not even healing a poor woman bent double for eighteen years! They argued--not from Scripture itself, but from commentaries on the Scripture, "teaching for doctrine the commandments of men (and so) making void the Word of God". Worst of all, the Scribes used Scripture to their own advantage. When their parents were in need, they said "Corban"--the money to relieve them was dedicated to God.

The Scribes had no authority because--even though they used the Word of God in their sermons--they did not preach the Word of God.

But Someone did. "He spoke as having authority..." "Authority" means "the right to rule". Because the Lord Jesus spoke both for God and as God, His sermon reached the hearts of men, urging them to bow before Him.

Some did; others didn't. All were impressed; but being impressed isn't enough. We must surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Negatively, we must quit those things which displease Him: anger, lust, deceit, covetousness, worry, and self-righteousness. Positively, we must become the people who please Him. What sort of people do? He leaves no doubt.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called the sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted

for righteousness' sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

Some teachers speak with the appearance of authority; He speaks with authority. "All authority". There is no question about His authority. But there is a question about our submission to it. Do we truly bow to the authority of Jesus Christ? In every part of life? In the home as well as in the church? In the interior life as well as the life others see? Have we submitted our bodies to Him as "instruments of righteousness"? Have we surrendered our tongues to Him--to be fountains of fresh water? Have we

yielded to Him our money--to be spent as He sees fit? Have we reserved anything--anything at all--to ourselves? If so, we haven't been truly "astonished at His teaching". I pray we will be. For Christ's sake. Amen.