The Beatitudes Digital Download

“Blessed are you…”  Matthew 5:1-12   To be a Christian is to live the beatitudes. In Matthews gospel Jesus is telling us, “if you are looking for me later, how to be like me after I’m gone, don’t go looking in the tomb, don’t look toward heaven, but go be with the poor in spirit, with those who mourn, with the meek, those who hunger, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted.”   The Beatitudes are Jesus. In Matthews gospel Jesus is poor in sprit, he mourns at the death of Lazarus and as he is in the garden of Gethsemane. He’s meek when he’s falsely accused and yet says nothing, He thirsts on the cross. He’s merciful when he says, “Father Forgive them...” He’s pure in heart when he says, “Not my will but yours” He’s a peacemaker when he tells peter to put away his sword. He’s persecuted and reviled by the priests, scribes, soldiers and bystanders during the entire passion story.   As Rev. Dr. Sam Wells notes, every beatitude comes in three parts. The