Examine the teaching about discipleship in Matthew 5. Discuss whether or not Matthew's gospel offers a new interpretation of Torah requirements.

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Josette Crane Assignment Matthew’s Gospel

Examine the teaching about discipleship in Matthew 5. Discuss whether or not Matthew’s gospel offers a new interpretation of Torah requirements.

Introduction

In Chapter One of his book about the Sermon on the Mount (SM), J. Duncan M. Derrett begins;

“The (SM) has two uncongenial characteristics, it avoids humour and prefers dogmatism to argument.”

This dour introduction may underline his view that the SM is an aesthetic teaching for discipleship, such as that which would be envisaged for a Greek athlete or a Roman soldier of the day. He also places Jesus’ teaching in the SM in the category of Hasidic, those who put the Torah into effect in its spirit and not merely in its letter. This Hasidic viewpoint serves as introduction both to the teaching on discipleship and Torah requirements.

Teaching about discipleship in Matthew 5

From Matt 5:1 we learn that the teaching of the SM is directed towards the disciples. A disciple is the pupil of a teacher and as pupils adopted the outlook of their masters, the word signified an adherent of a particular philosophy or religion, which in this context would have been the emerging Christianity of Matthew’s church. Discipleship would have described the behaviour and attitude of a member of this community that sought to follow Jesus’ teaching.

The Beatitudes in Matt 5:3-11 outline the marks of a disciple of Jesus. They have been divided into two types by M.A. Powell, whereby verses 3-6 describe an eschatological reversal of conditions for the unfortunate and verses 7-11 describe the anticipated rewards for those who demonstrate righteousness in their inner motivation, seen as the key sign of a disciple. Righteousness is the desire to conform to the will of God and mercy is the fundamental demand of discipleship. D. Patte outlines five different interpretations of the Beatitudes in their meaning for discipleship, but all can be valuable in the understanding of the teaching of the SM for the followers of Jesus. They teach the basic moral rules that believers should live by. They demonstrate a way of life that is distinguishable. The Beatitudes in themselves are a call to discipleship. They are a way of discerning true discipleship. Lastly, that they are a call to solidarity with the poor and oppressed. Matt 5:11-12 illustrates an expectation of perseverance in spite of opposition and discouragement.

Matt 5:13-16 can be seen as a summary statement about the behaviour and task of the disciples in the world. They are given the descriptive terms of salt and light. There is a connection between salt and purity although there are arguments also for the metaphorical meaning being concerned with preserving, purifying or seasoning. Broadly though the salt can be taken to mean that the role of the disciples is a vitally important one in the world as salt is essential for life. Light is associated in Scripture with God, the Messiah, his people, law and temple, Jerusalem and salvation. Disciples are to display the truth of salvation, the righteousness of the Torah and hence the presence of the Kingdom, thereby imitating Jesus. They are to not only to demonstrate these things but are also to teach them to others.

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Matt 5:21-49 give specific examples of the attitude and behaviour required of Jesus’ disciples. They can be seen as a sample of kingdom ethics. Jesus gives the true and ultimate meaning of parts of the Torah and they are contrasted with the common understanding of these at that time. Jesus deepens their meaning by internalising and extending them. The disciples are to strive for purity of inner disposition and be obedient to God’s will with as little concession to sin as possible. There is an emphasis on the love of God and neighbour and even to extend this to ...

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