The Blessed Life (2 of 12)
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Will McGee
Matthew 5: 1-12
Somehow, it is hard for me to imagine those words being spoken at a college graduation.
You're ready to become an adult, to go out into the world... And pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... Let me tell you how you will find happiness and blessedness: ''Blessed are the poor in spirit...
No, we might expect to hear something like this:
Blessed are those who embrace their personality, for they will have high self-esteem.
Blessed are those who never cry or grieve, for they will be strong.
Blessed are those who are religious, because they are good, decent people.
Blessed are those who accumulate the latest gadgets, fashions and toys, for they will have it all. They will cultivate their image/their brand.
Blessed are those who follow their dreams (follow their hearts), for they will be fulfilled.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for ''their truth,'' for they will know their ''real self.''
Blessed are those who assert themselves, for they will get what's due to them.
Blessed are those follow their emotions, for they will live in the moment.
Blessed are those who can do life themselves, for they will receive independence.
Blessed are the popular, for they will receive praise.
As Jesus begins his most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount. He begins by turning our notion of happiness, blessedness, and ''the good life'' on its head.
Yes, this is shocking to American sensibilities... But it was shocking to his audience as well... This is first century Judaism. At that time, there was a well-known book... Sirach (Book of Ecclesiasticus) It was aJewish wisdom book, written by the Jewish Scribe, Ben Sira around 200BC.
Sirach 25 - I can think of nine whom I would call blessed, and a tenth my tongue proclaims:?a man who can rejoice in his children;
a man who lives to see the downfall of his foes.
Happy the man who lives with ...
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Will McGee
Matthew 5: 1-12
Somehow, it is hard for me to imagine those words being spoken at a college graduation.
You're ready to become an adult, to go out into the world... And pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... Let me tell you how you will find happiness and blessedness: ''Blessed are the poor in spirit...
No, we might expect to hear something like this:
Blessed are those who embrace their personality, for they will have high self-esteem.
Blessed are those who never cry or grieve, for they will be strong.
Blessed are those who are religious, because they are good, decent people.
Blessed are those who accumulate the latest gadgets, fashions and toys, for they will have it all. They will cultivate their image/their brand.
Blessed are those who follow their dreams (follow their hearts), for they will be fulfilled.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for ''their truth,'' for they will know their ''real self.''
Blessed are those who assert themselves, for they will get what's due to them.
Blessed are those follow their emotions, for they will live in the moment.
Blessed are those who can do life themselves, for they will receive independence.
Blessed are the popular, for they will receive praise.
As Jesus begins his most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount. He begins by turning our notion of happiness, blessedness, and ''the good life'' on its head.
Yes, this is shocking to American sensibilities... But it was shocking to his audience as well... This is first century Judaism. At that time, there was a well-known book... Sirach (Book of Ecclesiasticus) It was aJewish wisdom book, written by the Jewish Scribe, Ben Sira around 200BC.
Sirach 25 - I can think of nine whom I would call blessed, and a tenth my tongue proclaims:?a man who can rejoice in his children;
a man who lives to see the downfall of his foes.
Happy the man who lives with ...
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