Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1,2
Key Verse: Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down... (Matthew 5:1).
Meditation: Bible scholars agree on two reasons Jesus went to mountain: He wanted to withdraw from the multitudes in order to teach his disciples. He also was drawing a parallel between Moses’ reading of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai and his position on the mountain.* The teachings are not the same, but the beatitudes portray eight distinguishing marks of Christian character and conduct that were counter-culture in the time of Jesus, and even more so today.
Jesus uses the word “happy” or “blessed,” but He is not describing a subjective emotional state that the person might expect. Jesus is saying what God thinks of the person, and in the second part of each beatitude, He gives the reason God is making the pronouncement Unlike spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit distributes to members of Christ’s body in order to equip us for different ministries, here the -Holy Spirit desires to work each of those eight graces in every Christian.
The beatitudes rank as the best known teachings of Jesus. Some may even glibly say, “I live by the Sermon on the Mount.” But most often they know that they are suggesting an idealism that they do not expect to practice in the real world. Since Jesus sat down, taking the authoritative position of a rabbi, it suggests the seriousness of His teaching. The beatitudes cannot be relegated to mere idealism, but statement of a brand new lifestyle that He Himself would model them. Furthermore, Christ’s forthcoming death and poured-out Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost would make it possible for men to live this counter-culture lifestyle.
Thought for the Day: Whenever the words of Jesus are obeyed, He gives them the inherent power to transform human behavior.
* Many times in the Old Testament, mountains were places of sacrifices as well. We can remember the sacrificing of Issac (Genesis 22:1-19), the duel between Baal and Jehovah were also on the top of Mount Carmel (1Kings 18:18-40).
Meditation: Bible scholars agree on two reasons Jesus went to mountain: He wanted to withdraw from the multitudes in order to teach his disciples. He also was drawing a parallel between Moses’ reading of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai and his position on the mountain.* The teachings are not the same, but the beatitudes portray eight distinguishing marks of Christian character and conduct that were counter-culture in the time of Jesus, and even more so today.
Jesus uses the word “happy” or “blessed,” but He is not describing a subjective emotional state that the person might expect. Jesus is saying what God thinks of the person, and in the second part of each beatitude, He gives the reason God is making the pronouncement Unlike spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit distributes to members of Christ’s body in order to equip us for different ministries, here the -Holy Spirit desires to work each of those eight graces in every Christian.
The beatitudes rank as the best known teachings of Jesus. Some may even glibly say, “I live by the Sermon on the Mount.” But most often they know that they are suggesting an idealism that they do not expect to practice in the real world. Since Jesus sat down, taking the authoritative position of a rabbi, it suggests the seriousness of His teaching. The beatitudes cannot be relegated to mere idealism, but statement of a brand new lifestyle that He Himself would model them. Furthermore, Christ’s forthcoming death and poured-out Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost would make it possible for men to live this counter-culture lifestyle.
Thought for the Day: Whenever the words of Jesus are obeyed, He gives them the inherent power to transform human behavior.
* Many times in the Old Testament, mountains were places of sacrifices as well. We can remember the sacrificing of Issac (Genesis 22:1-19), the duel between Baal and Jehovah were also on the top of Mount Carmel (1Kings 18:18-40).
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