Blessing on the Broken
Sermon Series:Sermon on the Mount
In the beginning chapters of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus began His ministry with the earth-shaking announcement that the long-awaited Kingdom of Heaven was near. What follows in chapters 5-9 is a myriad of show and tell moments; miracles of healing and provision as well as descriptive stories and examples of what the Kingdom is like including the Sermon on the Mount. The first 12 verses of this sermon are called the beatitudes, a Latin word for “blessed” or (more accurately) “congratulations.” In the first four blessings, Jesus is stating what already is true about the Kingdom of God and it is shocking. These are descriptions of sheer grace for people who lack, who are broken, who are empty and desperate, who know and feel the need for peace and hope and joy. Jesus is announcing congratulations, not because of their ability to get it right, but in light of their inability to even come close. To the dependent poor, He gives the Kingdom. To the grief-stricken, He gives comfort. To the powerless, He gives the earth. To those desperate for justice, He gives satisfaction. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom. This is the blessing on the Broken. This is grace. Quote: “The good news means that we can stop lying to ourselves. This grace saves us from the necessity of self-deception. God not only loves me as I am, but also knows me as I am. Because of this, I don’t need to apply spiritual cosmetics to make myself presentable to him. I can accept ownership of my poverty and powerlessness and neediness.” - Brennan Manning Questions: What does this say about God’s love for the world? About God’s love for you? Which of these beatitudes do you, personally, relate to the most? Who are the spiritually bankrupt, the grieving, the left out, the justice deprived in your context? What are the promises attached to these blessings? How do you feel about those promises? In what ways can you tangibly reflect and demonstrate God’s “blessings” to those around you?