I'm taking a fresh look at Matthew 5 with my brother this week. We're embarking on a study of Matthew 5-13 to gain personal insight on Jesus ministry and his parables. The idea is to read the Bible, write down thoughts and feelings about it and then talk about it next week. My hypothesis is that once you've read through Matthew 5-13 (NLT instead of KJV), the "hidden treasure" will be "like a treasure that a man discovered" Matthew 13:44.
I'm noticing Matthew 5:3-11 is different than "blessed are the poor in the spirit" is translated "God blesses those who are poor AND REALIZE THEIR NEED FOR HIM" for the "Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
The pattern is "God blesses" "those who are" ____ , "for they/theirs is" ______
3) poor and realize need for him, Kingdom of Heaven
4) mourn, comforted
5) humble, inherit the whole earth
6) hunger and thirst for justice, satisfied
7) merciful, shown mercy
8) hearts are pure, will see God
9) work for peace, called children of God
10) persecuted for doing right, Kingdom of Heaven
11) mocked, persecuted with lies, evil words against - because you are my followers, reward in heaven
12) And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Matthew 5:1-12) Thoughts and feelings:
- God blesses people with promises about the Kingdom of Heaven, when they exhibit certain characteristics. He ends these statements with "remember, prophets were persecuted in the same way."
- The translation of poor in spirit to poor and realize their need for him jumped out at me (v 3).
- My brother asked me to look for connection of words within words and I discovered "Real Eyes" from being poor in spirit to hearts that are pure they "will see God" (v 8).
- It's also interesting that our job description is "work for peace" and title is "children of God" (v9). And that the Kingdom of Heaven includes "persecuted for doing right" and being mocked for following Jesus (v10-11).
Fun to take fresh look without reviewing previous insights.
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