Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes
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.
When Jesus gave His Sermon on the Mount, the Disciples were learning what kind of ministry He would have going forward...
In Jesus' Sermon He speaks of the weak, the lowly, and those in need...For those who have never truly felt lowly in their own eyes, do not know what it is like to have little or no self-esteem and be poor in spirit...For those who are constantly happy and have never mourned, they do not know what it is like to grieve and feel burdened in heart...For those who have never been physically or mentally meek, they do not know what it is like to feel insecure and weak...For those who have never hungered or starved for food, they do not know what it like to be without their daily bread...For those who never show mercy to others, do not know what it is like to feel the goodness of being merciful and forgiving to others...For those who have never been persecuted, they do not know what it is like to be out of society's mainstream and feel all alone and isolated...
Jesus' ministry would be and is different...