Mat 5:2 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 they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The Old Testament concluded with a curse, Malachi 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Here, as Jesus begins the ministry of the New Testament, He preaches blessings!
The Preacher was Jesus - His first sermon, historically known as the famous, Sermon of the Mount. It is undoubtedly the greatest sermon ever preached. Not only is He the preacher, but He stands as Prophet, Priest and King.
The Place - A hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. A natural amphitheater in which the teacher sits and the people stand.
The People - The Disciples who had just been called to follow Jesus and many scores or possibly even hundreds of Galileans. These are the blessed ones who had a front row seat to history.
The Preaching - The Beatitudes, the Lord's Model Prayer and so much more. Dozens of oft used, modern axioms proceeded from this lengthy missive.
They include:
Ye are the salt of the earth
Ye are the light of the world
Putting your candle under a bushel
Let your light shine
Turn the other cheek
Love your enemies
Don't let the left hand know what the right hand is doing
Prayer closet
Vain repetitions
Daily bread
Forgive us our debts
Lead us not into temptation
They have their reward
Lay up treasures in heaven
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also
Consider the lilies
O ye of little faith
Seek first the kingdom
Judge not
Cast the beam out of thine own eye
Ask, seek and knock
Don't cast your pearls
The Golden Rule
Wolves in sheep's clothing
Ye shall know them by their fruits
The Wise man built his house upon a rock
Oh what a beautiful, bountiful buffet of blessing the beatitudes and the next 3 chapters bring the believer. If each Christian would devour and then live the Sermon on the Mount, how different our homes, churches, city, nation and world would be!
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