The place was Tombstone, Ariz. The date was Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1881. The setting was a vacant lot near the O.K. Corral. The gunfight lasted only 30 seconds.

The showdown happened with Morgan, Virgil and Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday on one side. Facing them were Ike and Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy Claiborne. These key players had no idea they were involved in the most famous face-to-face gunfight in the history of the Old West.

An even more famous showdown occurred between Jesus and the Pharisees in Matthew 5-7. These chapters are known as the Sermon on the Mount. This is the most famous sermon ever given. When Jesus finished speaking the people were astounded (Matthew 7:28). He literally blew their minds. Many scholars debate the purpose for this sermon. The Sermon on the Mount is not the constitution of the messianic kingdom. It is not the means of salvation. It is not Christian ethics for this age. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ interpretation of the Old Testament. Jesus defined the righteousness demanded by the Old Testament.

The key verse in this sermon is Matthew 5:20. Jesus said, “... unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

On the shores of the Sea of Galilee Jesus threw down the gauntlet. It was a showdown between Jesus and the Pharisees. In this very famous sermon Jesus revealed the proper way to interpret the Old Testament.

Jesus began by describing the difference between a saved and unsaved person. What does a follower of Jesus look like? What does a Christian believe toward God? Jesus began Matthew 5:3-6 by giving four characteristics of a righteous person.

Jesus started with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven” in verse 3. Being poor in spirit is the opposite of pride. It is a proper and right evaluation of myself before God. At first this appears to be those with little or no money; however, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” which describes the person who puts his entire trust in God. It is someone who sees himself as spiritually bankrupt — deserving of nothing. He turns to God in total trust. A Christian understands that he is a sinner who needs a savior.

The word “poor” is from a verb meaning to shrink, cower or cringe. It was used of a beggar crouched in a corner begging. As he held out his hand for money he often hid his face with the other hand. He was ashamed of being recognized. The poor in spirit stand empty-handed before God.

Jesus continued, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” in verse 4. A righteous person mourns. Nine different Greek words are used to describe mourning. This is the strongest; the most severe of those words. It represents the deepest and most heartfelt grief. It was generally used for grieving over the death of a loved one. A righteous person is broken over his sin. My sin nailed Jesus to the cross.

Jesus added, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall be comforted” in verse 5. The word “meek” means to have a quiet confidence in God. The picture is that of a stallion brought under control. Meekness is not weakness. It is the opposite of violence and vengeance. The meek person, for example, accepts joyfully the seizing of his property knowing that he has much better possessions in Heaven. Meekness is power completely surrendered to God’s control.

Jesus continued, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” in verse 6. To hunger and thirst after righteousness means to live by a standard. The standard is the Bible.

There is a logical sequence and progression in this message. Poverty of spirit (the first characteristic) is negative and results in mourning (the second characteristic). Meekness (the third characteristic) is positive and results in seeking righteousness (the fourth characteristic). Being poor in spirit causes us to turn away from ourselves in mourning. Meekness causes us to turn toward God in seeking his righteousness. God’s righteousness is found in Jesus. He died on the cross and paid for our sins.

In the parallel passage of Luke 6:24-26 Jesus gave four characteristics of an unsaved person. For the unrighteous, their primary goal in life is wealth (verse 24). They seek self-satisfaction (verse 25). They focus upon laughter or entertainment (verse 26). They seek popularity (verse 26).

The word “blessed” means happy, fortunate, blissful. Happiness or fulfillment in life is not found in wealth or self-satisfaction or entertainment or popularity. It is found in following Jesus. Pride is the greatest barrier to receiving the gospel. The deepest needs in a person are spiritual. Only Jesus, through his sacrifice upon the cross, meets those needs.

A very famous showdown occurred in 1881 at the O.K. Corral. An even more famous showdown occurred in the year 28 A.D. at the Sea of Galilee between Jesus and the Pharisees. Do you understand that you are a sinner who needs a savior? Do you mourn over your sin? Have you surrendered to God’s control? Finally, do you hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Jesus found in the Bible? Won’t you turn to Jesus today?

Ethan Hansen is pastor for Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. Contact him at ethanchansen@gci.net.