Remember the Sermon on the Mount and how Jesus gave his diciples the beatitude? No? Well, I do. As I continue to read the Secret Life of Bees, I just got to a part that put two things in my head. One I will wait to share, because it is very much a part of the book and I am ahead in our reading. The other I think I can talk about in general.
I remember not really getting the story of the Sermon on the Mount but enjoying reading the Beatitudes; for some reason they touched me. I use to always wonder which of the eight categories I fell into. So, as I lay here, well pass my bedtime, I can not get the idea of the Beatitudes out of my head; so I thought it might do me good to do a post on them. So, without further ado:
THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10
As I said, when I was young I use to wonder which of these categories best fit me. Now that I am older, I think I fit into each of the categories, except for maybe the last one. To this day, I still don’t think I fully grasp the concept of the Beatitudes, but I still find them so wonderful to read, in all their simplicity. So, which one are you?
-One Man’s Opinion. Peace.
Just a though I need to get off my mind, so I can forget about the book and get some rest before bed. You don’t have to participate. Oh, and could someone please tell Ieshia, I have no idea how to email her so I can reach her allusive new site. Tell her not to make me do a damn post on her ass!
16 comments:
Peacemaker and Persecuted...yeah...thats me .
OMG! I totally read each one and can't find a category into which I fit neatly? Am I going to hell? OMG!
I think I am poor in spirit most of the time. I just hide it well. it comes out in my blogs sometimes though.
It's hard not to keep reading that book isn't it!
I told you I read it in one day.
Darius tells me to go get the book and read it again. I think I will, so I can join in the discussions.
As far as the Beatitudes go.. I have no clue. I don't feel like I fit into any really.. Is that bad? I think that might be bad. I think I need to read them again.
"Blessed is the....", that's the category I fit into. Just blessed! Jesus was trying to speak to all the hearts in that crowd on that day. His blessings are not limited to those listed there.
I fit all of them. I have been on all sides of the fence. God has been very good to me.
If you go to my spot, I posted a video of Madonna singing live to tell. It was from her concert ...do you remember, everyone was up in arms over her being on stage on a cross like Jesus over at NBC? Please watch the video when you have a moment. The only people who complained were those who didnt watch the entire performance...the beatitudes are featured...
Peace.
Excellent post One Man. I hope you don't mind if I expound on it a little further. This post is right up my ally lol. I love the Gospel. I can't wait until I get to this part in the book too!
Let me first give the translation of the scripture of the Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10 from (The Living Bible)
"Humble men are very fortunate!" he told them, "for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. Those who mourn are fortunate! for they shall be comforted. The meek and lowly are fortunate! for the whole wide world belongs to them. Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied. Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God. Happy are those who strive for peace-they shall be called the sons of God. Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs."
Breakdown from the (Life Application Study Bible)
There are at least four ways to understand the beatitudes: (1) They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers. (2) They contrast Kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary). (3) They contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the real faith Christ wants. (4) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new Kingdom. These beatitudes are not multiple choice-pick what you like and leave the rest. They must be taken as a whole. They describe what we should be like as Christ’s followers.
You are Right One MAN. It is ABOUT our Attitudes. This post was short and sweet, yet so POWERFUL!!!
How funny is it that I thought about you as I was posting this, Freedom. As a matter of fact, I actually was going to put something in it about how you could speak better on the subject. Seriously.
Oh, and for the record, the book does not speak on the beattitudes, it just made me think about them.
@One Man..it was NO accident that I visited your site today. It is also tied into the Secret. When we focus our thoughts on something/someone they will appear.
We (humans) have so much POWER that God has given us thru Jesus that we are not Maximizing that is not even funny! (I am so preaching to myself here too lol)
I'm always down for the Word!
God Bless!
ps i gotta get busy reading the book to catch up. i understand this scripture isn't in there. thanks!
One Man this more insights into the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes from the (Life Application Study Bible)
Matthew Chapters 5-7 is called the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a hillside near Capernaum. This “sermon” probably covered several days of preaching. In it, Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the Law. Position, authority, and money are not important in his Kingdom-what matters is faithful obedience from the heart. The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day. It called them back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than legalistic observance.
In his longest recorded sermon, Jesus began by describing the traits he was looking for in his followers. He called those who lived out those traits fortunate because God had something special in store for them. Each beatitude is an almost direct contradiction of society’s typical way of life. In the last beatitude, Jesus even points out that a serious effort to develop these traits is bound to create opposition. The best example of each trait is found in Jesus himself. If our goal is to become like him, the beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day.
Jesus began his sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God’s way of living usually contradicts the world’s. If you live for God you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.
Each beatitude tells how to be blessed. Other translations use the words fortunate or happy. These words don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. Jesus turns the world’s idea of happiness upside down. To Jesus, happiness means hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.
I wish I could give you a hug. You're a good guy. It's refreshing.
Peace, what a beautiful thing to say. Peace. Someday I hope.
Yeah, Jack, you are going to hell! LOL
Scary Jesus, thanks. I gotta tell you, I love that song on your sight. I have already, cautiously, shared it with a lot of people at work. They are all like me...we think it is the funniest thing in the world and we also think we might be going to hell for enjoying it.
One Man, my email address is avibrant.thang@gmail.com
Hit me up please!!
I miss you!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmmm...even as a child, when I read the beatitudes I figured jesus was just saying those things to make the poor slobs who had nothing feel better.
Hmmm I don't know which one I'd fall into. Though I am no longer religious I still find that passage to be beautiful and comforting. Except for the last one lol.
Hmmm I don't know which one I'd fall into. Though I am no longer religious I still find that passage to be beautiful and comforting. Except for the last one lol.
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