When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “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 for righteousness, for they will be filled.  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [NRSV]

Blessed.

Are you blessed? Look at the blessing side of these equations:

• Citizenship in Heaven
• Comforted here and now.
• Inheritors of the earth
• Filled with Satisfaction
• Swimming in Mercy
• Able to see God’s presence
• Known to be God’s child
• Have a place in heaven
• Heavenly Reward Waiting

Character Traits of the faithful

• Poor in spirit, Mourning, Meek
• Righteousness Seekers, Mercy, Seekers of God’s heart
• Makers of peace; Teased, Taunted, Tested and Tormented for doing what is Godly.

Jesus begins his teaching ministry to the crowds with instructions that define the measurable, witness-able, tangible descriptors of those who ‘get it’, those who would be followers, disciples, Christians.

Look Around you today

Are you surrounding by the blessed or cursed? Honestly we are some of both, some of the time.  This is why we continually repent, pray for forgiveness, and seek to live a new the new life we celebrate in Holy Communion.

We come to the table because we have turned the other way.

Jesus begins be giving us a measuring stick of identify and path toward citizenship.

Forgive me, for I have sinned.

• Forgive me, for I have acted like I knew better than God and other Godly saints.
• Forgive me, for I have forgotten that you gave your son for my life. I forgot what that feels like.
• Forgive me, for I have stopped growing my spiritual relationship.
• Forgive me, for I have taken your grace, but not shown it to others.
• Forgive me, for I have not had pure thoughts, motives, actions and words.
• Forgive me, for I have not tried to make peace and even stirred up trouble myself.
• Forgive me, for I have persecuted others because they were different.
• Forgive me, for I have said and done all kinds of evil that does not reflect your presence in my heart and life.
• Forgive me, for I have forgotten your Joy and misplaced your Gladness and Love.

Jesus words start as descriptors for Disciples and become daggers of conviction when we have not stayed on the path of Blessing.

An Opposing View

• Cursed are those who are full-of-themselves
• Cursed are those who stoic, selfish, and prideful,
• Cursed are those who know better than the rest of us
• Cursed are those who know better than God
• Cursed are those who judge with a log in their own eye
• Cursed are those who see only their wants and vision
• Cursed are those who to quiet to stop injustice or too loud in self-preservation
• Cursed are those who to sacred to be bold for God

Bottom Line:

The attitudes of Matthew 5.1-12 are the called such as they begin in our hearts and minds and then affect our actions and environment.

If our task is to make disciples of others for the transformation of the world, it begins by ‘checking’ our attitude to see if our heart and minds are God before we move to words and deeds.

Have someone ask you these questions this week and answer them honestly:

• Am I always right?
• Where does pride blind me and hinder others?
• Who knows best how to live in relationship with others?
• Am I willing to change what is broken in my life?
• Am I willing to see and feel how others feel and see life? And me?
• Will I speak bolding for God today? Each day?
• What scares me? Why would I be afraid if God is captain of our team?

What’s at Stake?  EVERYTHING

• Being Blessed or Curse.
• Being included or outside.
• Saved or Damned.
• Loved or hated
• Remembered or forgotten
• God’s or my Own.

What is God doing about it?

• Has given us Christ to follow
• Has given us Christ for our sin
• Has given us Christ for living
• Has given us The Spirit for power and guidance
• Has given us the Church for fellowship and encouragement
• Has given us Word to study, learn, grow and share
• Has given us Music to tell and share
• Has given us ministry to share and reach
• Has given us resources to build and invest

The question, Our Question:

“What am I doing about my attitude and my actions as child of God?”

Come to the Table and start fresh in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Come to the table and be filled, anew.