What Jesus Did : Matthew 5:1-2 - A Family Address
by Phil Ware
A Family Address - Matthew 5:1-2
Jesus saw the many people that were there. So Jesus went up on a hill and sat down. His followers came to him. Jesus taught the people. He said: (ERV) Full Text
Key Thought
A certain characteristic can define a family. Many members of the family can be distinguished by this special characteristic. It may be a physically prominent feature. It may be a phrase or a way of saying things. It may be certain traditions. It may be a similar nervous tic. The Sermon on the Mount (which begins with the next few verses) is about the Kingdom Family of God. Those who live in it -- or better yet -- live it, share a common character that shows that the Father in Heaven reigns over their hearts. Those who hear the Sermon on the Mount are the crowds, but those who listen, those who are defined by it, are the disciples. They are the ones who put into practice the ethic and character of Jesus, not because it is some law they must keep, but because it reflects the character of a Father whom they love.
Today's Prayer
O gracious and Almighty God, thank you for bringing me into your family. May my life reflect the light of your glory and the character of your holiness. I want your righteousness to be the dominant feature in my life, so I come and sit at the feet of Jesus to learn how to live in a way that honors and reflects you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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Jesus saw the many people that were there. So Jesus went up on a hill and sat down. His followers came to him. Jesus taught the people. He said: "What great blessings there are for the people that {know they} have spiritual needs! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are sad now! God will comfort them. What great blessings there are for the people that are humble! They will have the land {God promised}. What great blessings there are for the people that want to do right more than anything else ! God will fully satisfy them. What great blessings there are for the people that give mercy to other people! Mercy will be given to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are pure in their thinking! They will be with God. What great blessings there are for the people that work to bring peace! God will call them his sons and daughters. What great blessings there are for the people that are treated badly for doing good! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. "People will say bad things against you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things against you because you follow me. But when people do those things to you, know that God will bless you. Be happy and glad. You have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did those same bad things to the prophets that lived before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, then it cannot be made salty again. Salt is good for nothing, if it loses its salty taste. It must be thrown out and people walk on it. "You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. No. People put the light on a lamp table. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that people will see the good things you do. Live so that people will praise your Father in heaven.
-- Matthew 5:1-16 (ERV)
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