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What does “blessed” mean?
Happy,surprised, and favored by God.
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Analyze the primary message of the beatitudes. Be familiar with the class presentation about the beatitudes
- Poor in spirit:The poor were at the center of Jesus' ministry
- Mourn: God's justice appears slow
- Meek: Being completely God-controlled
- Hunger and thirst for tighteousness: A deep desire for justice and compassion
- Merciful: Shows kindness to the needy and the marinalized
- Pure in heart: Unmixed motives
- Peacemakers: Active reconciliation
- Persecuted because of righteousness: Defamation of character
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What are the “metaphors of identification” in Matthew 5?
- Salt: Season, preserve, purify.
- Light: Illuminate, expose, and warn
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In Matthew 5.21-48 Jesus introduces 6 antitheses by using the formula “you have heard it was said… but I say to you ….” Know one way that Jesus changes what they had heard.
- Do not kill: Don't be angry
- Don't commit adultry: No lustful looks
- ETC
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Know that in Matt 5:38-42, Jesus is proposing a
third way (in each case) between refusing to respond to evil at all and responding violently: this third way means offering a different kind of response than expected which challenges the basis of the evildoer’s actions
- Slap on th eright cheek: Be treated as an equal
- Sue for tunic: Shame the oppressor
- Forced to go one mile: Use law assertivley
- Someone begs from you: Gernerous giving
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Note that Jesus warns about the danger of doing
the right things for the wrong reasons in his discussion of alms, prayer, and fasting—the three acts of righteousness in Matthew 6:1-18.
- Fasting: Dress up! Look joyful!
- Prayer: In secret room
- Alms: Secretly
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