When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and 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 shall be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
The use of the word "blessed" identifies a figure of speech known as a beatitude. Today's verses begin Jesus' most famous message known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus' primary message in his ministry concerns the Kingdom of Heaven. In the beatitudes, it compares the values of the natural man with those who value the Kingdom. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," Jesus says. This is because this person sees how far away man is from God, on longs for a day when the rightful king will be on the throne. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted," Jesus says. In the same way, when King Jesus is on the throne he will turn mourning of those who belong to him into glad tidings. "Blessed are the gentle," is a reference to how our goal should be one of shepherding and not one of devouring. Finally, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness," because their longing is the same as the Father's and they will by no way be disappointed.
Daily Prayer: Father, a child of God is one who identifies with your values. I do not ask that you take me out of the world, because the world you created is good, I only ask that you keep me from worldliness, which are those values of those who know you not. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
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