This week we begin an extended study of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:1-9
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God."
Here are some questions to stimulate our discussion:
How does this section fit in with the rest of the sermon (Matthew 5-7)?
What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
Have you seen a similar idea elsewhere in the Bible?
What aspects of the text excite your imagination?
What from this text do you need to hear?
What from this text does our congregation need to hear?
Sunday, September 24, 2006
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5 comments:
To whom was Jesus talking. The first phrase seems to indicate that he was giving instructions to his desiples only.
The passage tells me there is great hope and reward in being a child of God. He blesses and gives joy to the downtroden, the sorrowful, the humble, those who strongly desire right, those who are empathetic, sympathetic and kind. It tells me right thoughts produce right actions and that overlooking shortcomings and encouraging the right brings people together finding common ground. It is a joyful message of hope to me and to all I come in contact with every day. Sherron Fields
If you look at Matthew 4:25 it indicates that a large crowd was following Jesus. It is this crowd that Jesus sees in 5:1. True, he speaks to his "disciples," which should not be limited to the 12, but the crowds are listening. When Jesus finishes the sermon the crowds are "amazed at his teaching." I think Jesus intended for the crowds, which include us, to hear what is saying.
It is wonderful to consider the blessings that Jesus discusses. They are unusual, though. Most would not say these things/attitudes are the path to blessing.
I may be way off base here, but I think this is a discussion about attitude. At first I had trouble with the first one about "poor of spirit", but now I think this may be a reference to one being humble.
To me these are the attitudes that a servant should have.
Mike C.
Good insight, Mike. Certainly so much pertaining to the Kingdom is related to attitude, and these beatitudes are about Kingdom life, right?
Now here is a different twist that comes to us courtesy of Luke (6:20).
Looking at his disciples, he said:"Blessed are you who are poor,for yours is the kingdom of God.
Notice here that Jesus doesn't say anything about being poor "in spirit."
What are we to make of this?
And what does it mean to have the Kingdom of Heaven (or God)?
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