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Remember all those people, sitting on the mountainside, listening to this new Rabbi expound on what He called "the Kingdom of God?"

When Jesus first started teaching that day, what might they have been thinking? 

But don't we already have a kingdom of  God, Rabbi Yeshua?  But, now that you have started teaching, it sounds so different than what I expected--It's our faith, yes, but different...less about following the rules and more about, how shall I say it? Showing our love for God not only in what we say and do, but in our attitude as well, right? 

Did a hush descend upon the people when Jesus finished?  

Or, when they thought He had finished? He just talked about those who seemingly follow Him, but because they are false in their devotion and are motivated by self, He will repudiate them and send them away, calling them "evildoers." 

End of sermon, right? 

It's a natural ending--Jesus teaches the true aspects of the Kingdom and then warns His audience not to be deceived by those who will come and twist His words for their own gains, even if they do amazing things in His name, such as prophesying and driving out demons.  They may appear to be serving Jesus, but they are not motivated by doing "the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)

He could have been done at that point.  But Jesus says something remarkable to wrap up His teachings on that hillside:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matt. 7:24-27) [emphasis mine]

With all due respect, Rabbi, your words?  Not only your words, but actually putting them into practice--acting on them, doing what you say...Wow.  Isn't that a bit presumptuous?  I mean, you are a knowledgeable rabbi, to be sure, but you are implying that your words are equal to the Torah.  Your commentary and the Torah stand together. Wow. It is hard to ignore the power of your words, and the truth that echoes through them is like a trumpet blown in a valley...

In fact, we have the exact reaction the crowd had to Jesus' teaching: 

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." (Matt. 7:28-9)

So, it wasn't just what He said, but how He said it...forcefully, and with authority.  Not as the people He described just a bit earlier who seek to deceive others; somehow, some way, the people sensed He was true to His words, that He had no hidden agenda and was speaking as a prophet. 

He was speaking God's words, in effect.  Just like the prophets of old.  

Now, this Rabbi made no claims of being a prophet until He reached the last portion.  There, Jesus is saying that His words are a firm foundation upon which to build.  He brought the Torah to the center of His teaching and then commented on it, and now He is ending His teaching with, The Torah is still front and center, but my commentary is an essential component of it.  I have not added to it but I have given it back its life and you, if you walk in this, will have new life as well.  

Jesus began His teaching with "Blessed are the poor in spirit," and now He's saying, 

You know what makes someone's spirit move into poverty?  The winds, the rains, and the storms of life that pummel the person year after year after year.  It's when someone is standing and watching all that they hold dear wash away--the death of a child, not enough money, not enough food, an angry spouse, a chaotic household--all of this and more will drive a person into despair. The sound of the rain that never seems to end; the raging water that has no mercy--where the good and the bad, the pious and impious, the great and the small--all are thrown into the rapids and their lives are knocked about against life's rocks, giving them a spiritual vertigo and making life terribly unsatisfying. 

But wait!  I have an answer.  The rains, wind and raging water will still come.  Our world is fallen, and the prince of this world will seek to create chaos and pain wherever and whenever he can.  But, guess what?  Implement what I have taught: Engage your heart, mind and spirit in exercising love, forgiveness, right thinking and intimate time with our Father, and you will be able to withstand all that the world throws at you.  

You will stand by your house, sopping wet, but you will still be standing, and you will have hope in the sun returning.

Hope in the Son.  

Hope because of the Son. 

That was Jesus' parting thought. 

Jesus commented what the Law was in the letter of it ("You have heard it said...") and then moved the Law into the spirit of it ("But I tell you...")