The Narrow Path: The Beatitudes

Story of the desert and slot canyons

The New International Version (Chapter 7)

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Only through Jesus and His way can we experience the good life now and forevermore.

“THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT ISN’T JUST ABOUT HOW TO BEHAVE- IT'S ABOUT DISCOVERING THE LIVING GOD IN THE LOVING + DYING JESUS + LEARNING TO REFLECT THAT LOVE OURSELVES INTO THE WORLD THAT NEEDS IT SO BADLY.”

-NT Wright

“The sermon is not how we achieve salvation; it’s how we demonstrate it. Those who have truly been transformed by Jesus resist the cultural norms around them.”

-Rich Villodas

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What does it mean to be blessed or happy?

We have to get things right…JJ’ sugar in a bleed…..the mole pee story

the Beatitudes. That comes from the Latin translation of the New Testament. A Latin word that typically means happy or blessed.

In this opening movement. So here are possible English renderings that get us around the idea. “Oh, how fortunate.” “Oh, how happy.” “Oh, how flourishing.” “Oh, how blessed.” Each one of those captures something of what Jesus is trying to get across. What's really fortunate for us— oh, how fortunate are we—

Makarios is the Greek word Jesus uses, which means something like “incredibly fortunate, favored, or Godlike.” It’s a term we might use to describe the most privileged and admired star athlete, celebrity, or billionaire.

The Greek word translated as “blessed” is makarios, and its Hebrew equivalent is ashrey, which means “the good life.”

“The Beatitudes name nine distinct areas of human struggle that Jesus addresses in his teaching. Our first instincts (in our circumstances) are to be anxious, avoidant, competitive, apathetic, judgmental, evasive, divided, retaliatory, and afraid. The Beatitudes invite us into a new way of life, into a path of recovery.”

-Mark Scandrette

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Way of Trust- Own Your Poverty, Live with Open Hands

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

The Way of Lament-Face Your Pain, Wait For Comfort

5 Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

The Way of Humility- See Your True Self, Bow To The Dignity of All

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

The Way of Justice - Ache for Change, Step into Action

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

The Way of Compassion- Stop Judging, Look With Love

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

The Way of Right Motive- Choose Goodness, Show The Real You

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

The Way of Peacemakers- Make Peace, Reach Past Differences

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Way of Surrender - Embrace Suffering, Keep Doing Good

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Way of Radical Love- Have Hope, Live Fearlessly

The beatitudes invite us to a change of perspective not a life of perfection.

A change of Perspective will lead to a changed Heart.

True blessing does not come from circumstances or scenarios, it comes from Jesus and His Kingdom.

The good life is found not in success and status, its found in humility and sacrificial love.

Matthew

The New International Version (Chapter 11)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Which path will you choose?

Jesus’ blessings keeps the future in mind.