The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
THEY NURTURE & STRENGTHEN US MUCH AS THE WAY MILK NOURISHES A CHILD!
Matthew 5:1-10
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
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.
In Luke the sermon on the mount follows immediately after what we might call the official choosing of the 12.
For that one reason, one scholar called it, “The ordination address to the 12”
Its like the Sermon on the mount is the core and essence of Jesus Teaching, the distillation of the DNA of the teachings of Christ’s ministry to the inner circle of the chosen.
This is talking about the norms of the Kingdom of God
– the culture
The word “blessed” means, “spiritual joy & satisfaction that LASTS regardless of conditions—
…That carries one through pain, sorrow, loss, and grief.