A Narrative on the Sermon on the Mount According to the Amplified Bible (AMP) continuing with Matthew Chapter 6

Matthew chapter 6 continues the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus instructs His followers on various aspects of righteous living, focusing on the motives behind their actions. In this chapter, Jesus addresses giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, materialism, and worry, emphasizing the importance of sincerity, trust in God, and a heavenly perspective. The Amplified Bible (AMP) provides a detailed interpretation of these teachings, offering deeper insights into their meanings and applications. This narrative will explore the context, meaning, and implications of Matthew chapter 6, providing a comprehensive understanding based on the Amplified Bible's rendition.

Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!

Giving to the Needy (Matthew 6:1-4) "Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it, as the hypocrites do], like the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you."

Context: Jesus emphasizes the importance of sincere motives when giving to the needy. Acts of kindness should be done discreetly, not for public recognition but to honor God, who sees and rewards what is done in secret.

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15) "Also when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray publicly standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses."

Context: Jesus teaches about the nature of true prayer, contrasting it with the hypocritical practices of the time. He introduces the Lord's Prayer as a model for sincere, focused, and humble communication with God, emphasizing forgiveness as a crucial element of prayer.

Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) "And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face like actors discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you."

Context: Jesus instructs His followers to fast with genuine motives, avoiding outward displays meant to attract attention. True fasting should be a private matter between the individual and God, who sees and rewards what is done in secret.

Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also."

Context: Jesus warns against accumulating earthly wealth, which is temporary and vulnerable. Instead, He encourages storing up treasures in heaven through acts of righteousness and devotion, which have eternal value.

The Lamp of the Body (Matthew 6:22-23) "The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear (spiritually perceptive), your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But if your eye is bad (spiritually blind), your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!"

Context: Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body to illustrate the importance of spiritual perception. A clear, healthy spiritual vision leads to a life filled with God's light, while a corrupt vision leads to darkness.

Serving Two Masters (Matthew 6:24) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]."

Context: Jesus emphasizes the impossibility of serving both God and wealth. A divided loyalty will inevitably lead to conflict and compromise, urging believers to prioritize their devotion to God.

Do Not Worry (Matthew 6:25-34) "Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather the crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life? And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is cut and thrown as fuel into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Context: Jesus teaches about trusting God for daily needs, using the examples of birds and flowers to illustrate God's provision. He encourages His followers to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, assuring them that God will take care of their needs.

Summary

Matthew chapter 6, as part of the Sermon on the Mount, provides teachings that address the motives behind righteous actions and emphasize trust in God's provision. Jesus instructs on giving, prayer, and fasting, emphasizing sincerity and discretion. He warns against materialism, advocating for a heavenly perspective and single-minded devotion to God. Finally, Jesus addresses worry, encouraging believers to trust in God's provision and prioritize His kingdom. Understanding and applying these teachings fosters a life that aligns with God's will, promotes inner peace, and reflects genuine righteousness.

If You Have EarsTo Hear, Then Hear It!th? Matthew Chapter 6

Introduction

Matthew chapter 6 continues the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus instructs His followers on various aspects of righteous living, focusing on the motives behind their actions. In this chapter, Jesus addresses giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, materialism, and worry, emphasizing the importance of sincerity, trust in God, and a heavenly perspective. The Amplified Bible (AMP) provides a detailed interpretation of these teachings, offering deeper insights into their meanings and applications. This narrative will explore the context, meaning, and implications of Matthew chapter 6, providing a comprehensive understanding based on the Amplified Bible's rendition.

Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!

Giving to the Needy (Matthew 6:1-4) "Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it, as the hypocrites do], like the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you."

Context: Jesus emphasizes the importance of sincere motives when giving to the needy. Acts of kindness should be done discreetly, not for public recognition but to honor God, who sees and rewards what is done in secret.

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15) "Also when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray publicly standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses."

Context: Jesus teaches about the nature of true prayer, contrasting it with the hypocritical practices of the time. He introduces the Lord's Prayer as a model for sincere, focused, and humble communication with God, emphasizing forgiveness as a crucial element of prayer.

Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) "And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face like actors discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you."

Context: Jesus instructs His followers to fast with genuine motives, avoiding outward displays meant to attract attention. True fasting should be a private matter between the individual and God, who sees and rewards what is done in secret.

Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also."

Context: Jesus warns against accumulating earthly wealth, which is temporary and vulnerable. Instead, He encourages storing up treasures in heaven through acts of righteousness and devotion, which have eternal value.

The Lamp of the Body (Matthew 6:22-23) "The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear (spiritually perceptive), your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But if your eye is bad (spiritually blind), your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!"

Context: Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body to illustrate the importance of spiritual perception. A clear, healthy spiritual vision leads to a life filled with God's light, while a corrupt vision leads to darkness.

Serving Two Masters (Matthew 6:24) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]."

Context: Jesus emphasizes the impossibility of serving both God and wealth. A divided loyalty will inevitably lead to conflict and compromise, urging believers to prioritize their devotion to God.

Do Not Worry (Matthew 6:25-34) "Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather the crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life? And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is cut and thrown as fuel into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Context: Jesus teaches about trusting God for daily needs, using the examples of birds and flowers to illustrate God's provision. He encourages His followers to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, assuring them that God will take care of their needs.

Summary

Matthew chapter 6, as part of the Sermon on the Mount, provides teachings that address the motives behind righteous actions and emphasize trust in God's provision. Jesus instructs on giving, prayer, and fasting, emphasizing sincerity and discretion. He warns against materialism, advocating for a heavenly perspective and single-minded devotion to God. Finally, Jesus addresses worry, encouraging believers to trust in God's provision and prioritize His kingdom. Understanding and applying these teachings fosters a life that aligns with God's will, promotes inner peace, and reflects genuine righteousness.

If You Have EarsTo Hear, Then Hear It!