So often we hear people talk about being blessed only when things are going their way. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount challenged his hearers with a description of a very different set of values, and we are still challenged by those words today.
Worship this week:
Saturday — 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. — Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Contemporary Worship
Devotions for the week:
Every culture has some variation of a hierarchical social structure that is critical, or even unjust to its weakest members. In Jesus’ day, those who were meek, ill, grieving, poor, or perceived as weak were the ones most likely to suffer from social inequities. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount promised those at the bottom of the social structure that there was a reward for them that would surpass any they could receive here on earth. The gifts of God’s kingdom would be abundant for them. His words gave hope to those who may have long abandoned hope.
This story does not seek to condemn those whose lives appear blessed in the eyes of the world. Instead, it seeks to offer hope to anyone who suffers any affliction of body, mind, or spirit. It encourages us to be kind and gentle to those whose suffering is greater than ours, and gratefully to accept the help and care from those whose suffering is less.
Follow these stories of Jesus’ sermon on the mountain.
Sunday, Matthew 5:1-20, Beatitudes
Monday, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm
Tuesday, Matthew 5:21-26, Concerning Anger
Wednesday, Matthew 5:27-32, Concerning Adultery and Divorce
Thursday, Matthew 5:33-42, Concerning Oaths and Retaliation
Friday, Matthew 5:43-48, Love for Enemies
Saturday, Matthew 6:1-6, Concerning Almsgiving
- What does Jesus’ sermon tell us about the nature of God? What is God’s role in our world? What is our role?
Do: Set your week’s grocery budget at half of what you normally spend. Find ways to provide for yourself and/or your household with this lowered budget. Reflect on the challenges and joys of this activity.
