Posted on 12/31/2020 11:52:31 AM PST by OneVike
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25
Jesus presented many sermons, but His greatest was a Sermon he gave on a mountain near Capernaum. Tradition ascribes the site as an extinct volcano named Karne Hittim. Like all Rabbis did when they taught, Jesus sat down when He presented His message. I have always ascribed to the idea that this sermon is the Constitution of Christianity, because it was intended to show us what God expects from us, and what we may expect from him.
It is by all accounts the standard for which all Christians should compare themselves to. Not against each other as the pharisees did, but rather against that of which God expects. This Sermon fulfills Malachi's prophecy. Malachi 2:1-17. He does so by correcting the way-word teachings of the “brood of Vipers”, known as the Jewish Priesthood. Instead of being true shepherds who were interested in what was good for their Master's sheep, these vipers cared only for what was good for themselves. Like wolves in sheep clothing, they led the flock astray where Satan could have free reign upon their souls.
What then? If I consider the Sermon on the Mount to be the Constitution of Christianity, then the Epistles would have to be considered a type of Federalist Papers. For like those articles which were posted in news papers to help the citizens understand what the Constitution meant to them, the epistles did a similar thing for the teachings of Christ. They expounded upon His teachings, while taking on the lies being spread about by Satan's minions. Thus Christians could better understand His teachings, thanks to the letters written by Paul and others. Which brings me to the subject of today's commentary, the Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes is to the Sermon on the Mount, what the preamble is to the U.S. Constitution. The preamble to the U.S. Constitution points out that we have certain inalienable rights ascribed to us by our Creator, which cannot be abridged by man's governance. Thus, as citizens of these United States, if we adhere to the following Constitution, then we will be able to pursue our happiness. In a similar way the preamble to the Christian Constitution points out that we have certain rights ascribed to us by our Creator, which cannot be abridged by man's governance. So as citizens of God's Kingdom, if we adhere to the following Constitution, then we will be able to pursue the Happiness which is ascribed in the Beatitudes. The one difference is, God keeps His word. Man does not.
3.) “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
4.) “Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.”
5.)“Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.”
6.)“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for 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 sons of God.”
10.)“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10
Always something.
I meant too remove the authorship since FR has it added. As if that wasn’t bad enough. Then I misspelled my own name.
Lord help my stupid self.
My favorite verse also elsewhere in bible
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