Matthew 5.1-12
God blesses those people who are poor and depend only on God. They belong to the kingdom of God!
God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!
God blesses those people who want to obey God more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see God!
God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called God’s children!
God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of God.
God blesses you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in God’s New World.
These Beatitudes, as they have come to be known, are the cliff notes to Jesus’ Good News message. We could replace “God blesses” with “Good News for those people who are poor and depend only on God. They belong to the kingdom of God!” Pray these Beatitudes with hope and faith. Share your own “Beatitude” as a way of adding your prayerful hope to the promises of Jesus. Post yours in the comments below.
