Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon on the Mount
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 1:1-5
The Word Becomes Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Every time I read the Beatitudes I see that the world is upside down from the One whom the world was made through...The Son of our Creator is telling us these things...Is this the Way earth is seen through His eyes?...How can the world be so different from the One who was with God in the beginning?...How can the world be seen this way by the One who is the Light of all mankind?...So how can I be blessed when I am poor in Spirit?...How can I be blessed when I am constantly mourning?...How can I be blessed when I am always meek?...
Jesus came to dwell among us...And He came for the poor in Spirit, the meek, those who are constantly mourning...
These types of people might be considered weak, the fringe, mild-mannered, and maybe negative on life, with little hope...The world has people who are depressed, poor in spirit, meek, those who mourn often, and those who are abandoned by those around them...What kind of company are these type of people?...Are these the type of people that you want to hang around?...Jesus declares this group of people are the ones who are going to be blessed...These are the types of people that Jesus is blessing....And normally these are the people who have little or no hope...They have been abandoned, but not anymore...With this sermon, He shows us that He is there for these very people...This very group of people are the ones who Jesus blesses...And what a hope and an honor and blessing to be blessed by Him...To be in this group, with these types of people are who Jesus wants to help and will help...What great company one is in with this group...