Belonging..
It was JESUS’s Work to reach the multitudes who were mostly ignorant of His Way. HE gave His Lessons of Truth, where they could reach the darkened understandings, of the wayward teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. HE Himself was The Truth from heaven.
The Sermon on The Mount, though given especially to the disciples, was spoken in the hearing of the multitude. Here in the early morning the people had begun to assemble. Besides the usual crowds from the Galilean towns, there were people from Judea, and Jerusalem, from Perea, from Decapolis, from Idumea, and from Tyre and Sidon ( Mediterranean coastal towns). “When they had heard what great things He had did,” they “came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases, there went virtue out of Him, and He healed them all.” Mark 3:8; Luke 6:17-19.
The disciples sat close to JESUS to hear His Words. The acknowledgement of their presence was to prepare their position, through His Instruction. As the people sat upon the hillside, awaiting the words of The Divine Teacher, their hearts were filled with thoughts of future glory. There were scribes and Pharisees who looked forward to the day when they would hold dominion over the hated Romans, and possess the riches of position and wealth, of the world’s great empire. The poor peasants and fishermen hoped to hear a resolution to their hard toil and scantiness of revenue, in all aspects. Hoping that Israel would be honored among the nations and that Jerusalem would be exalted as the head of a universal kingdom. JESUS hope to give the multitude the right conception of His Kingdom and of His Rightful Character. He told them the conditions of entrance unto, leaving them to their own perceptions.
Beatitudes
Christ’s first Words to the group were of blessing. “Blessed are the poor.” “Happy are they”, He said, “who recognize their own spiritual needing, and feel their need of redemption.” The Gospel to be preached to the poor. Not the spiritually proud, but to those who are humble and sincere. “For theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven.”
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” By these words we are to acknowledge our iniquity, mourning for our sins; that have brough anguish against Christ JESUS. The realization of what our sins have done to Him. At the foot of The Cross; looking up we see The Slain Lamb Of GOD; The Crucified Saviour for all of humanity. This soul-filled mourning is a heart relating pronounced; a given commitment to Christ. The heart-shed tears are as raindrops from heaven. This sorrow heralds the joy which is the living waters of the soul. “Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou has transgressed against The LORD Thy GOD;” and I will not cause Mine Anger to fall upon you: for I Am Merciful, saith The LORD.” Jeremiah 3:12,13. For those who mourn in trial and sorrow there is comfort. The bitterness of grief and humiliation is better than indulgence of sin. Through affliction, GOD reveals the imperfections of our character.
“Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.” The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by the meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess The Humility of The Master, then we will overcome the infractions that are presented in our living. We will be strengthened in Christ’s Promises and His Nature will become a reflection, in our own thinking and heart; in response to our trials. Not a weakness, but, in a genuine attribute of character. An increased integrity will be obtained; leaving a worldly attitude behind. Lowliness of heart is the strength that allows victory to The Followers of Christ; it is in their daily connection with the courts above; through dependance on JESUS’s Loving Promises of Truth. Not in a prideful, ego ruling; determining our responses or thinking. If we let our emotions rule our thinking or actions; can we truly say that we are in control? (or) That we are just and intelligent in our conclusions? There are the habitual trends in our thinking of past and present ideas, values, etc. Religious and traditional/cultural concepts are the roots to many ideals and deciding factors of people. There also, are the influences of one’s surrounding, that effects one’s judgement. The challenges and messages of the past can build or undue a person’s self worth. In one’s truthful reflection of self; we can see that we truly do not have the ability to judge another; from our own standard of worth. That, we have our means from Almighty GOD. We need to be obedient to Him; in loving our fellow human beings. The poor in spirit, who crave The Presence of An Abiding Christ, the humble in heart, whose highest ambition is to do GOD’s Will; these will gain an abundant entrance. They will be among that number who have washed their robes and made them white in The Blood of The Lamb. “Therefore are they before The Throne Of GOD and serve HIM; day and night in The Temple: and HE that sitteth on The Throne shall dwell among them.” Revelation 7:15.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” The sense of unworthiness will lead the heart to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and this desire will not be disappointed. Those who accept and place Christ JESUS’s Living Truth, into their daily living, will receive a heart Like HIS. Their’s will be a bearing of His Likeness In Character. The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto JESUS. The Holy Spirit will take The Special Things of JESUS to show and teach them. If, the focus is steadfast upon JESUS; then the conforming power will become, likened unto Christ’s Image. The Pure Element of Love will expand into the soul, giving its capacity for higher attainments for increased knowledge of heavenly things.
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” The merciful shall find mercy. Those whom seek Mercy of forgiveness from GOD for their sinfulness. Sincerity in heart needs to be presently humble, before GOD. Asking our presence, before GOD; to be honored and pleasing to HIS Heart. Our daily living to be in repentance, of acknowledge sins. That we ask for the attainment of understanding and strength to acquire the ability to substain a Christ-like stance. We are to also, pray for forgiveness of others, in their defilement against us and our love ones. As, JESUS said upon The Cross..“Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. So we are to love and be merciful to others. We are to reflect Christ JESUS’s Heart towards others.
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see GOD.” Only those who have given their hearts and committed their lives over to Almighty GOD, can attain this God-like quality of character. The pureness of heart is through a sanctified transformation of heart, mind, body and soul. Sanctified through The Holy Spirit. Sanctified through The Holy WORD Of GOD. HIS WORD Is: Living; Powerful; Healing; Redeeming. It transforms the heart and then, everything else follows. We ourselves are powerless in our strength and sinful ways; even with so-called “good behavior” or “kind-acts” or “good deeds”. If, those qualities have not been given to GOD, they are temporal characteristics, that cannot withstand the enemies’ persisting attacks. In Christ; we are given His Standard of Purity; which will prevail.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called The Children Of GOD.” The Peace of Christ is born of truth. It is harmony with GOD. The world is at enmity with The Law Of GOD. Sinners are at enmity with their Maker and as a result, they are an enmity with one another. The psalmist declares, “Great peace have they which love Thy Law and nothing shall offend them.” PSALM 119:165 Men cannot manufacture peace. The humanness involving purification and the uplifting of individuals or society will fail of producing; the true peace of the heart and soul. The quality of peace that surpasses all understanding is gain only through The Gift received through the relationship in Christ. It is the grace of Christ JESUS implanted in one’s heart. All dissension and strife will be blotted out. “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree and life’s desert “shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” Isa. 55:13; 35:1 The peacefulness is obtained in daily communion with The LORD. Those who have the True Peace will share Christ’s Love with others. They will reflect His Gentle Caring Attributes Of Heart and will be a healing servant in mindset and in deed.
“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 Name Sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” The world loving sin, hates Christ’s Righteousness and this was and is the hostility against Him and His followers. The light of Christ shines upon the world’s deceptiveness and exposes the facade of it’s wrong doings. Not wanting these things to be made known to others or even oneself; denial, strife and anger arises. The Christian (true committed follower of JESUS) are the ones bearing the reproach of Christ. They are treading the path that has been trodden by The Noblest of the earth. Not, with sorrow, but with rejoicing, should meet with persecution. Each fiery trial is God’s Agent for their refining. Each is fitting them for their work as colaberors with Him. Each conflict has a place in the great battle for Righteousness and each will add to the joy of their final triumph. The test of one’s Faith and Patience will be cheerfully accepted rather than dreaded and avoided. Anxious to fulfill their obligation, to the world, fixing their desire upon The Approval Of GOD. His Saints are to fulfill every duty, irrespective of the fear or the favor of men. “Ye are the salt of the earth,” JESUS said. Do not withdraw yourself, from the world in order to escape persecution. You are to abide among men, that the savor of The Divine Love of Christ will be seen and may be received. The Salt (Divine Love) to preserve the world from corruption. To also, be seen as a light to be seen. The Light of Christ’s Loving Truth.
Earth's Closing Hours 