Way to Be! Matthew 4-6

May the mumbling commence!

Way to be!  The Sermon on the Mount begins in Matthew chapter five with the Beatitudes.  Way to be!  I find it enlightening to read the Beatitudes in various translations.  Today I will put the NIV translation and the Phillips translation for us to look at – to compare and contrast.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Verses 3-12 NIV)

"How happy are the humble-minded,

for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!

How happy are those who know what sorrow means

for they will be given courage and comfort!

Happy are those who claim nothing,

for the whole earth will belong to them!

Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for goodness,

for they will be fully satisfied!

Happy are the merciful,

for they will have mercy shown to them!

Happy are the utterly sincere,

for they will see God!

Happy are those who make peace,

for they will be sons of God!

Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness,

for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!

And what happiness will be yours when people blame you and ill-treat you and say all kinds of slanderous things against you for my sake! Be glad then, yes, be tremendously glad – for your reward in Heaven is magnificent. They persecuted the prophets before your time in exactly the same way. (Verses 3-12 Phillips)

Way to be when you are poor in spirit – when you are humble-minded.  Way to be when you recognize and embrace your limitations.  You are on your way to the kingdom of heaven.  Way to be when you mourn – when you know what it means to mourn.  Way to be when you have lived the blues and sing the blues.  You will be comforted and encouraged.

Way to be when you are meek – when you claim nothing for yourself.  Way to be when you know your place in God’s kingdom.  The whole earth is yours.  Way to be when you are pure in heart – when you are utterly sincere.  Way to be when you are transparent and true to the life God has called you to.  You have earned an audience in the presence of the Almighty One.

These ways to be run counter to all that we know in our culture.  But, as Christians, they are the only way to be.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out