“The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached” Matthew 5 tells us that when Jesus saw the huge crowds following Him He took them to a mountain and taught them what we refer to as the Beatitudes. It was His Inaugural Address regarding the ethics of His Kingdom. They are a series of “Blessings” promised to those who exhibit those attributes. They contrast Kingdom values (eternal) with worldly values (temporary). The Beatitudes contrast the superficial “Faith” of the Pharisees, with the real faith that Christ wants. They present a code of ethics and standard of conduct for all believers, in all ages. Notice that they are “BE- attitudes”- not “DO- attitudes. The whole emphasis was on “BEING”- on the quality of life, on life-style. When the “being” is right, the “doing” will follow. When the “doing” is given more importance than the “being,” a false religious lifestyle dominates our way of thinking. Each Beatitude is an almost direct contradiction of society’s typical way of life. Jesus gives us the best example of each trait. He called those who lived out those traits “Blessed,” because God had something special in store for them. “Blessed are…” I refer to this teaching of Christ as “The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached.” The Message version introduces Matthew 5 with these words- “YOU’RE BLESSED.” More to follow.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 00:20:01 +0000
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