Beatitudes

I saw a post on Facebook from a good friend about the Sermon on the Mount... and I decided to go into an in depth study on these powerful, instructional words from Jesus Himself. As I began to read through Matthew chapters 5-7 I couldn't get away from the most basic, heard about instructions at the VERY BEGINNING! Something Sunday School teachers throughout the world teach children, but I don't believe can get into the meat of it all - because I don't think a lot of people GET the meat of it all. This is going to begin a series of blogs on the Beatitudes, I don't intend to make it what you've always heard/read... but to get into the meat of it all. So here goes part 1:

:1-2 > "When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying..."
- I find it interesting here that Jesus sits down, and begins a "sermon" and was seemingly speaking to His 12 disciples, NOT the multitude of a crowd. When we hear the word "sermon" most times we think of a message going out to a multitude of people, at least I think of that automatically. But, in all reality this sermon was not meant to reach to a multitude or a crowd, that was approaching - in fact, trying to visualize this, it seems as if Jesus was getting away from the crowd somewhat with His 12 friends.

- As ministers, which we all are in our own way, we cannot focus so much on being heard by many that we forget to be listened to by some. Jesus wanted His words to mean something, to carry weight, to have promise, purpose, and power behind each one. Therefore, He didn't carefully craft his "sermon" to be heard and enjoyed by many... but he carefully chose His words to be listened to by 12. What's the difference? To be heard, is just that, you are heard. Your voice is heard and recognized, but the words aren't carrying must weight or power. When you are listened to your words matter, they are taken to heart, considered, prayed over, and utilized. Now I don't think there is anything at all wrong with preaching to many - in fact, i will be soon... but I think Jesus was not just "teaching" his disciples, rather He was mentoring His disciples!

- Your congregation, whether it be in a church, work, friendship circles, will hear your voice and message... but hang on to those that LISTEN to your words/message. Go to a mountaintop with them, away from the crowd, and help them understand a deeper meaning behind what you are actually saying!

My next post will be "Why are the Beatitudes so important?" - check out Acts 3:26 - it gives a good glimpse into the importance of all the "Blessed's"!