"Most people who have read the first two books of the Bible know of a famous mountain called Mount Sinai ....This sermon has also been appropriately called Christ’s inaugural
address because in it, Jesus enunciated the principles which are to
control the administration of His eternal kingdom, the kingdom of glory.
In His sermon, Jesus outlines the qualifications for heavenly
citizenship.
All the citizens of the heavenly kingdom
will live in harmony with these eternal principles.
The beatitudes constitute a prologue to Jesus’ sermon and like the ten
commandments or Lord’s prayer, they are of universal application. They
appeal and apply to all races and to all ages.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” The rich went away 
empty because they didn’t feel need of anything.
One of the first requirements to be saved is that you feel your need of
salvation.
In the second beatitude Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn”
(Matthew 5:4). Repentance is sorrow for
sin and turning away from it. This concept is misunderstood today. Those
who are not sorry enough to turn away from their sin have not yet
really repented.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”
(Matthew 5:5). Now the meek people do not inherit the earth as it is
today. Today, we live in a world that is controlled by force, a world
where the strongest become the richest and the most powerful. A meek person is one who is gentle and humble.
The fourth beatitude says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). Do you hunger and thirst for
righteousness? However wicked a person may have been, if they hunger and thirst for
righteousness and desire to be recreated and born again, the Lord Jesus
promises that their desire will be filled and they will be satisfied.
Jesus then said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”
(Matthew 5:7). James says that there will be no mercy for the person
that doesn’t show mercy (James 2:13). Are you merciful?"
John J. Grosboll/StepsToLife
