February 1, 2026

Matt 5:1-12

Today we heard the first part of Jesus sermon on the Mount, called the beatitudes. A passage we read on All Saints Sunday. The next Sunday’s we are going to continue listening in this teaching.  It has been said, that more has been written on the Sermon on the Mt than any other section of the bible. This sermon is the only entire sermon that we have that Jesus ever preached. So I guess it’s pretty important for us to study it. As far as we can tell it’s His first sermon, at least the first one recorded for us. So as you can see through the history of the Church these words have been given special attention, meditated upon, pondered. Christians have wondered how they can apply this sermon to their lives? What’s the sermon all about? I’m certain most all of you are familiar, I am sure that I could start reading from any section of this sermon and you would nod your head with familiarity, you would say “yeah, I’ve heard that before.” Probably for many of you many times.

I don’t think our familiarity of this sermon is a problem, but getting to bottom of what these words mean for me. Part of the reason is because Jesus is using what we would call poetic language. That’s true of this beginning here the beatitudes. So the 10,000 ft view is at it’s very core Jesus is preaching to and preparing His disciples what it means for them to live as the people of God. Jesus is teaching the reality what it is going to mean for them to leave their former life and follow Him. What that means for us today we should be thinking about the same thing. What should it look like to actually live as God’s people?

Well at the beginning of Jesus words, blessed are the poor in spirit we recognize Jesus is trying to communicate it is going to fundamentally change how we see ourselves. In fact, it needs to start with this.The Christian walk is beginning with the stark reality that we are sinners who stand before a holy God and apart from Christ they might actually think they are something. They might take stock in their talents, abilities, their good looks, their status, reputation. Before coming to faith people might take pride in their accomplishments, or they might consider themselves to be quite valuable to the world. None of that matters, on an eternal scale none of that matters. Before God the only status that matters, is that we are all God’s creatures. We are dependent on Him for everything in our lives, for even the beat of our hearts. Not only are we relying on Him for everything, but we are fully fallen human beings. There’s nothing we have or nothing we have done or could do that would merit anything before God. That means that we rely on God not just for our lives but also, more importantly, for our eternal lives. If we are going to be saved from death and hell, we’re not going to be the ones to do that, God will have to be the one, to do that for us.

That’s true, that’s what it means to be poor in spirit. He’s not talking about how much you have in your pocket, He’s talking about how much worth you have in your soul. And if you think you have something you can offer God, then Jesus knows you are not ready to live in His kingdom.

But when you humbly acknowledge this truth, that in your soul you are completely impoverished, that’s exactly when the life as child of God can begin. You see, we must fundamentally change how we see ourselves. That we’ll know, at the end of the day, that we are poor in spirit that we are those who mourn, we’re those who hunger and thirst for a righteousness that we know only God will bring. But of course, how we see ourselves is just the beginning in how to live as the people of God. If we change how we see ourselves then that leads to that we must change how we live in this world. Formerly, apart from faith, we might’ve been ruthless, we might’ve refused to cut anyone, any slack. But now, Jesus says, if you are gonna live in My kingdom that’s all gonna change. Jesus says blessed are the merciful. Living as people of God we are willing to show others mercy. If formerly, apart from faith we might’ve lived unclean lives, thought ill of others all the time, we might’ve swindled our neighbors, but now Jesus says, if you are gonna live in My kingdom that’s gonna change. If you are gonna live in My kingdom, blessed are the pure in heart. Living as His people, we are willing to turn from our sinful ways, live clean lives, pure hearts. Formerly we might’ve been dividers, people who sowed division, stirred the pot with others. We might’ve insisted on getting back to those who we think have wronged us, but now Jesus says if you are gonna live in My kingdom that too is gonna change.  Jesus says, blessed are the peacemakers. Living as the people of God means we are willing to speak a word of peace to reconcile relationships, to extend forgiveness to others.

It means we fundamentally change how we see ourselves and how we act with others in this world.

Changing how see ourselves may seem obvious, but changing how we live that may be so obvious that why do I even need to say it? It is obvious that following Jesus would change how we live. But what is not obvious is how difficult that is to do. It’s hard to change our beliefs and behavior, and it’s always gonna invite the world’s animosity. Jesus knows this, so at His first sermon He brings this up. He’s saying to them, heads up before you get too excited to be a Christian, I want you to know what you are signing up for.  If you follow Me, you will suffer for it. Let’s be clear, there’s no hiding it, there’s no bait and switch with Jesus, no strings attached. He puts all His cards on the table. If we’re going to follow Him, there’s going to be times it won’t be much fun at all. In fact, you’ll be persecuted for righteousness sake. That means, when you stand up for God in this world, and for what His word truly teaches, not what the culture is teaching around you, they will hate you for it. They will call you narrow-minded, they’ll call you backwards, maybe a bigot, they’ll come after you, defame you, try to bring dishonor upon you, and the more righteous your cause, the more vehemently they will attack you. Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you on My account. Don’t ever say Jesus didn’t tell you.

Ahh, you might say, it won’t happen to me, it’s not…. that bad. Well, if you haven’t been persecuted in your lifetime, you might want to consider are you really standing up for His will in this world? or are you trying to blend in and remain unnoticed? The first would be an example of being a faithful witness.  The second would be an example of cowardice. The first is what it means to be courageous the second is a timid example of survival. Persecution does happen to those who follow Him and Jesus wants you to know that you are in very, very good company because He says this is the exact same thing that happened to every prophet who stood in My name and spoke My word. What is true is, now they stand before the great face of God, in the great reward of heaven.

This brings us finally, what He is trying to communicate to us in this first sermon of His. That living as God’s changed people in this world, will invite the world’s animosity, we should always know and always keep in the forefront of our minds, is that it invites the blessings of God in the future. I’m guessing if you read through and tell me what they are all about, you’d say these are future blessings for the people of God. Blessed, blessed, blessed. Are the ones who we can say the kingdom of God is theirs, blessed are the ones who when I return one day, Jesus says, be comforted. Blessed are those who will inherit the earth and be satisfied adn shown mercy and called sons of God blessed are those who will see the face of God.  Blessed are those who will inherit the great reward that is My kingdom in heaven. After hearing this, should you acknowledge you are the people of God, Jesus would have you rejoice and be glad, most of all know this, the kingdom of God is yours!