I’m on week 7 of a 9 week study looking intently at the most gracious and convicting sermon ever preached. None other than Jesus Christ himself could deliver such a masterpiece – so orderly, heart pricking and chock full of wisdom.
The Kingdom of Heaven
The sermon begins in Matthew chapter 5 and concludes in Matthew chapter 7. You must know that Matthew, a disciple of Christ, wrote his gospel to a Jewish audience in hopes to prove to them that Jesus was their Messiah. We see from Matthew’s writings that Jesus had been drawing crowds all around Galilee as he travelled and preached. News of His ministry spread and people would bring the sick, diseased, demonic and hopeless to Him and the Bible tells us that He healed them. We know God’s plan was to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ and with the entrance of the Messiah the Kingdom of Heaven was established. In Matthew chapter 4:17 we hear Jesus say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. We know that the Kingdom of Heaven is God’s rule, His reign, and His dominion over all things (Psalms 103:9). To the Jews that day, Jesus would paint a beautiful picture of just what that meant.
Enter Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, the Jews were drawn to Him for a reason. Now let’s watch how he gently leads them and teaches them the WAY to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Citizens of His Kingdom
We can see right from the start Jesus’ sermon begins with a Blessing. The people in the audience that day were desperate for a blessing. They were worn, tired and sick – latching onto every word he spoke to them. Matthew 5:3-12 shows Jesus describing a group of people who ARE blessed, because they ARE citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed means to be fully satisfied and flourishing, so if you are a citizen of His Kingdom – then you are Blessed! See my paraphrased version of the Beatitude verses in this post
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
An Invitation
We see that ultimately the beatitudes paint a portrait of Jesus Christ. A true resemblance of who He is and all that we should be as citizens of His Kingdom. I believe that day to the disciples His words were a proclamation, but to the crowds who gathered this served as an invitation.
We too have been invited into His Kingdom.
