Verses for this week - Matt 5:1-6
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.
Also check out the updated bio's.
Over the years I have heard a few different takes (all good) on the first 12 verses of the SOTM, but the one that has always captured my imagination is the idea that this is an announcement, an announcement of a new kingdom, a new covenant, and a reason for hope. This is Jesus kicking things off with the core of his message. I like the fact that this announcement is not given with trumpets and fanfare, but with Jesus sitting down and talking in a relational way with the people he is drawn to and the crowd that is drawn to him (very much like the cool morning walks between Adam and God in the Genesis).
ReplyDeleteBeing controlled by the Roman Empire and several other empires before that the people where hungry for rescue, they were hungry for the Messiah. They were looking for a new king, a human king very much like King David who was favored by God and who would defeat the Romans, unite the 12 tribes of Israel, bring peace and prosperity, and allow God to restore His earthly presence once again inside the temple (little did they know God had a much bigger plan in mind). Since Jesus had the Messiah buzz going thanks to John the Baptist these people thought he might be the one.
The message the people receive is not at all what they expect, but nonetheless exciting to hear when you are meek, full of longing, and crying out for a better way. The people most likely don’t understand what Jesus is trying to tell them, but because Jesus speaks with such care and authority they know they want to be apart of this new kingdom.
The American dream is often to be like Rome, in control, have all the answers, and be the envy of the world. Personally having failed at this dream I am excited at the announcement of another way, a better way, a way in which all (and I mean all) I have to do is trust in the God of the universe (who I got to believe has a better plan than I do).