Jesus\'s Sermon on the Mountain

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

I believe Jesus is telling all people of sins, there is hope, for there is a kingdom of heaven to look up to.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted"

Jesus is telling all people of opposed, that they will be comforted by God. Some people may question why bad things happen to good Christians. I believe that Christians should not believe that they are specially favored by God in blessings. Actually in difficult time, we can be reminded how Christ suffered for us and strengthen our faith. We are weakest when we are happy and comfortable. Many people came to faith or renew their faith when they are in difficult time. That is what happened to me. When I had insomnia, I read the Bible and Streams in the Desert. I finally survived the diffcult time and built my trust in God only.

"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inhert the earth"
Is Jesus teaching the kings how to be a true leader. I am just wondering about the phase of inherting the earth. Probably, he is not referring to king alone. He is teaching to people who are in a leadership position and tell them to be humble and patient. He talks to the opposed first, and now he talks to the elite. 

"Blessed are those hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied"
Have you ever troubled by your desire. There is always someone who is richer, prettier, and more famous than you. This kind of thinking make you feel discontent with your life. Here, Jesus is telling that only you seek righteousness from him, you will be satisfied. It says that our God will mostly satisfy your spiritual needs. God will not answer you if you say, please make me very rich. Our God is not a materialistic God. God will take care of you based on your needs. But you will not feel satisfied if you hunger for materials goods.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy"
God is telling people to be merciful, then we will receive mercy from him. Therefore, Christians should show God's love through loving others. That is why many true Christians support all kind of charity organizations and help people of less fortunate.

"Blessed are pure in heart, for they shall see God"
God is estabilishing a higher standard for us. Not only we shall be merciful, we shall also be pure, without much desire for material goods. In such a highly materialisitc society, it is inevitably very hard for Christians. But Christians should remember how children behave. They had no idea of material possessions, and they are truly joyful. We shall all behave like Children in front of God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God"
Truly, our Lord is a Lord of peace. I think there is a double meaning in peacemakers. One has to make peace with other people, and also with himself or herself. Therefore, how to make peace with other people, God already told us to be humble, patient, and merciful. To make peace with oneself, we shall have a pure heart. Only if we can make peace in these two aspects, we can be called sons of God.

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for there is the kingdom of heaven."

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me."

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
God is telling people that for those of you are persecuted because of him, you reward is in heaven. I greatly admire those people who dedicate their lives to God. I think they are special missionary sent by God.

"You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."
Salt preserves food, so that it cannot be corrupted. Jesus is telling his people that you should stand up against being corrupted. If you are so corrupted, then there is nothing good come out except being despised by people on earth.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;"

"Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Jesus is telling us we are the light, and we should shine people man. If you are a Christian, you should not hide your virtue. In stead, you should be put on the lampstand, and it gives light to all people on earth. God all told us how to shine. We should do good works so that people worship God because of it. That is how I became Christians. I saw the good works by many true Christians and became a believer.


"Do no thin that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to abolish but to fulfill."

"For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Christ says that he is not coming to abolish the old law, but to fulfill. The essense of the old law is the ten commandments. Therefore, who ever advocate the old law of the ten commandments should be honored. But Christ is also establish a new covenant so people can be saved.

"For I say to you that unless your righeousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

Here the  scribes and Pharisees refer to the hypocratic Christians who just talk about law with out righteousness. Therefore, I believe doctrine is less important than the true spirit of Christianity.

to be continued.....