Weekly Playlist  |  March 4-10

Sermon on the Mount - The Beatitudes

The Light and the City

Listen to the Scripture reading below, and then learn more from related resources. As you meditate on this passage, think about this question: Why does Jesus call his followers the light of the world and a city on a hill?

Read – Matthew 5:3-16

Consider While Reading

The first hearers of these words were mostly low-status, powerless Israelites on the fringes of mainstream society.

Matthew 5:3-16

Kingdom Identity

2 min

Now Playing
Kingdom Identity
--:--
0:00
How good is life for the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of the skies.
How good is life for those who grieve, because they will be comforted.
How good is life for the unimportant, because they will inherit the land.
How good is life for those who hunger and thirst for right- relationships, because they will be satisfied.
How good is life for those who show mercy, because they will be shown mercy.
How good is life for the pure in heart, because they will see God.
How good is life for the peacemakers, because they will be called children of God.
How good is life for those who have been persecuted on account of doing what is right, because theirs is the kingdom of the skies.
How good is life for you when they insult you and persecute and speak any evil lies against you on account of me.
Celebrate and shout for joy. Because your reward is great in the skies, because this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.
You are the salt of the land.
But if the salt becomes unsalty, with what can it be made salty again?
It is useful for nothing, except to be thrown out and stepped on by humans.
You are the light of the world.
A city that is set up on a mountain is not able to be hidden.
And they don't light a candle and place it under a basket.
Rather, upon a candle stand, and it will shine on everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before people so that they can see your good works and they can give honor to your Father who is in the skies.

Reflect

What would it have felt like to be in the crowd and hear these words?

About This Translation
This reading uses a new translation from the BibleProject Scholar Team, which aims to bring fresh language to familiar words while using consistent English terms for Greek words used throughout this part of Scripture.

We'll be adding more translations here in the future, but in the meantime, you can find more translations now on the BibleProject app.
Watch – Visual Commentaries, Matthew 5:14-16: Light of the World

Highlight

“Jesus is taking this image from the Hebrew prophet Isaiah, who said that one day, God’s heavenly reign will touch down on Earth in Jerusalem, high on a hill. And this city will reflect God's light out into the nations, who will learn the ways of God and live in peace. It’s a heavenly city, and its light will be like the dawn of new creation.”

Listen – The Servant as the Light in Isaiah

Chapter from Sermon on the Mount E8

The Servant as the Light in Isaiah

5 min

Now Playing
The Servant as the Light in Isaiah
--:--
0:00

Highlight

“What Isaiah begins to anticipate is that if God's purpose for Israel is ever going to happen, that calling, to walk in the light of Yahweh, to be a source of peace among the nations, is going to fall on the shoulders of one Israelite who is just called ‘the servant.’”

Invite your friends and family to meditate on the teachings of Jesus together.
Want to get the Weekly Playlist by email? Sign up here