The Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount contains the moral teachings of Jesus, which were written down by St. Matthew. Jesus told these teachings to his disciples. The teachings were moral and ethical “laws” on how one should live life. He usually told these teachings from high points so everyone could hear him, hence the name Sermon on the Mount. If someone did follow his Sermon then they in his eyes were suitable to become a “member in the Kingdom of God.”

The Sermon begins with the Beatitudes; the teachings written within this describe the character of a true disciple.

The Sermon itself although quite large gives one important message, which is to help people because you want to and they need it, not to give help to improve ones self image or social standings or to receive anything out of it. I think this message is very important because although you may be helping people, you have to ask why because there is a very big difference in why you are helping.

In those times these teachings had only a minor area of application, but in today’s society where we have many difference races living together these teachings can be both applied more and perhaps restructured. But we still do not accept everyone many in society are intent of building walls between themselves and others. Before this it was even worse, people were ignored and treated like objects and cattle. One of the people who contributed their lives to improve the lives of not only their people but others too, was Martin Luther King. He showed that he wanted to help by making many moving speeches, which are regarded as great teachings of today.

“I have a dream that one day men will rise up and come to see that they are made to live together.”

Many believe that he has lived his life according to the Beatitudes and that he modernised the teachings within the sermon and paid it forward for others to do the same. To prove this I will compare some of his speeches with the teaching of Jesus.

Jesus did not blame others for what they had done, the Sermon was a positive set of teachings, and instead he put forward what we should do. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Martin Luther King also shared the same trait, he did not blame those for acting on hatred instead he offered a way to act in harmony.

Martin Luther King led a hard life being constantly persecuted for the colour the colour of his skin. He fought for justice and took much interest in others who had strived for the same cause, like Ghandi.

He drove to achieve his missions using no violence, only the power of free speech, unlike Malcolm X who although fought for the same cause, he fought using violence.

I think the life and work of this man puts the teachings of Jesus into action because he obeyed the law and changed many prejudiced minds.

But some minds are unchangeable and so James Earl Ray took it upon himself to assassinate Martin on the 4th February 1968 in Memphis, Tenn.