Beatitudes

What if we started living our lives like the beatitudes? What if we let them reshape our attitudes? Instead of some self help guide that we've limited the sermon on the mount to, what if we tried to amount to something more than moralism? If we we're supposed to be living transformed lives then why do we conform our lives to the things of this world? This world is good because it's created by God, but it's been corrupted by own selfishness. We ruined things and Jesus rearranged things to bring us back into step. But we're not really doing it. Sure we put them on our pillows or our walls or in birthday notes or even in a sermon but the beatitudes are not meant to be limited like that. If we want a moral exemplar, turn to anyone else. Gandhi was a good man. MLK was a good man. Mother Theresa was a good woman. They're all great and they lived extremely moral lives. But the power of Christ is that he came to bring us new life. To offer us better than a manual. To give us something better than just a guide to more fruitful living. Christ became king of the earth. Heaven and earth intersected in the person of Jesus Christ and he brought in a whole new kingdom. One where: blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.