Jesus and crowds

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the hillside and sat down. His disciples came to him. He took a deep breath, and began his teaching.

What a start,wonderful news, The Beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit. The kingdom of heaven is yours!

And so he went on. Good news for all the people.

I love that beginning; He took a deep breath and began his teaching.
So, here we go then!!

But Jesus starts straight in, what a teacher!

Blessed are….the poor, the mourners, the meek, the hungry, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted.

Good News for all!!

Blessed means wonderful news, the happy, the blessed. The Beatitudes, which these are often called comes from the Latin beatus.

Words as much for today as for the people at the time of Jesus.

This was the introduction to Jesus’ teaching, ‘listen to this everybody, this is going to turn your life upside down. No more are the rich and powerful going to be the ways to success and prosperity’ .

That is for this life only.

Good to remember and hang on to when we see fame and fortune being a real goal for many, that sadly just slips away into the night.

Readings from Matthew 5:1-12

Rev’d Sue Martin

Gayton Group of Parishes