Grasping for the Wind

Matthew 5:1-12

Big Creek Church
Matthew 5:1- 12 (ESV)

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Sermon on the Mount

“As to ‘caring for’ the Sermon on the Mount, if ‘caring for’ here means ‘liking’ or enjoying, I suppose no one ‘cares for’ it. Who can like being knocked flat on his face by a sledge hammer? I can hardly imagine a more deadly spiritual condition than that of a man who can read that passage with tranquil pleasure.”

~C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock

1. The word for “blessed” can also be translated as “wonderful news”. If we substitute the “wonderful news” translation for “blessed”, what changes occur in the tone and intent of the passage?

2. This list describes qualities that God desires in Christians. How would you define each of these qualities?

Poor in spirit –

Mourning –

Desire for Righteousness (aka justice) –

Mercy –

Purity –

Peace –

Persecution –

“[The Beatitudes] are a summons to live in the present in the way that will make sense in God’s promised future.”

~N.T. Wright, Matthew for Everybody

Posted by John on March 21, 2007 11:16 AM | Posted to Religion
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