Blessed

Mountainvew Family, 

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about a particular section of scripture in Matthew 5 called the “Beatitudes”. Jesus began His most famous sermon with this list of statements. Although these verses are easy to read, they are packed with spiritual truths, and each one is challenging to try to wrap our heads around. 

Matthew 5 begins with...Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying…Following this short introduction, Matthew recorded the most famous sermon ever spoken (Matthew 5-7).

Even people who know nothing about Christianity know certain phrases from the Sermon on the Mount. See if they sound familiar...

Salt of the earth...

Go the extra mile...

Turn the other cheek...

Give your tunic too...

Do unto others as you would…

Judged in the same measure...

Pray for your enemies...

Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, who served in the Supreme Court from 1902-1932, said of the Sermon on the Mount: "Most people are willing to take the Sermon on the Mount as a flag to sail under, but few will use it as a rudder by which to steer." 

The entire Sermon on the Mount is deep, powerful, and life-changing. In this first major communication of His ministry, Jesus, with clear and precise language, began to lay out His mission to fulfill the Law of the Old Testament, and to introduce the standards and principles of His New Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.” 

I’d like to focus our attention on the Beatitudes. They teach us what it means to be blessed. I wonder… What would our lives be like... What about our cities, countries and the world… What if everyone put the Beatitudes into practice as if our lives depended on them? ​​

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I am personally reading and re-reading this list several times each day.I want to fix them in my memory and live by them. Will you join me?

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tom