The Sermon on the Mount
ourselves in the integrity and infallibility of Scripture. There is no other book in the world that has such a multiplicity of ancient documents to authenticate its genuineness, it is the Book of God, authored by the Holy Spirit and as such to be honoured by reading it, believing it and obeying its precepts. 2. The Beatitudes, 5:3-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Jesus begins with beatitudes rather than imperatives. The demands Jesus makes on His disciples are to be viewed in the context of grace. Jesus’ blessings are strong affirmations, pronounced on those blessed ones whose lives are characterized by certain qualities. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” the first blessed ones are the poor in spirit, those who recognise their complete emptiness before God and their complete dependency upon Him. The LORD says, “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isa.66:2). Jesus spoke about Himself as embodying the same spirit of dependency on Father, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself” (Jn.5:19), and again, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (Jn.5:30). The Psalmist David recognises the condition of poverty, But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God” (Ps.40:17; see also Ps.69:29; 70:5; 86:1; 109:22). What a contrast we see here, those who are emptied of self-dependency now possess the kingdom of heaven! - reminding one of Paul’s words, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to
New Life Radio – Talk No 36
2 Derrick Harrison
16/06/2021
