Meeting Jesus / Reading 4 of 7

A surprising blessing

Matthew 5:1–12 · WEB1 min of Scripture

THE PASSAGE · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Matthew 5:1–12

¹Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

²He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

⁴Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

¹⁰Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

¹¹“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹²Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:1–12 · World English Bible (WEB)

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EDITORIAL REFLECTION · NOT SCRIPTURE

Before you move on

At the start of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus blesses mourners, the gentle, the merciful and those who hunger for righteousness. The promises direct attention toward God’s action; the Beatitudes are not a ranking of human success. Choose one line and read it carefully: whom does it address, and what does it promise? Keep both parts together before relating it to your life.

Read the passage again if you want to. Notice which word, action, or question stays with you. You can finish a reading without having finished thinking about it.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

Which Beatitude changes your view of strength or success? Whom might it help you see differently?

A SPACE FOR YOUR OWN WORDS

A thought to keep.

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