The Sermon on the Mount is called a sermon because, like the sermons we are used to hearing, it was preached to people who gathered around Jesus to listen to God’s word. It is called the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus preached it on a mountain. On the one hand, Jesus was like Moses who received and explained God’s word on a mountain; on the other hand, he was greater than Moses because God didn’t have to meet with him to give him the words to say. Jesus simply spoke the very words of God. Words that are famous like, “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14); “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek” (see 5:39); “Love your enemies” (5:44); “Pray . . . ‘Our Father in heaven’” (6:9); “You cannot serve God and money” (6:24); “Seek first the kingdom of God” (6:33); and “Whatever you wish others would do to you, do also to them” (7:12).

And while Jesus gave many commands, he was giving more than a new set of laws. He was announcing what his kingdom was like. Did you catch that? His focus was on himself as King and the wonderful kingdom he was bringing! The prophets said, “Here is what God has to say to you”; Jesus said, “Here is what I have to say to you.” And he made statements like, “You are blessed if people say evil things against you because you follow me”; “I came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets [the whole Old Testament!]”; “Everyone will stand before me as the judge, and I will decide who makes it into heaven”; and “The wise person hears my words and builds his life on their sure and solid foundation” (see 5:11; 5:17; 7:21–23, 24). King Jesus was the center of his sermon because it was about his new and wonderful kingdom! This is why, when he finished, people were amazed at his teaching and said, “Wow! Jesus speaks with such authority!” (see 7:28–29).