Insights into the Blessings from the Sermon on the Mount

I was reading Ann Voskamp's blog about the Sermon on the Mount this morning and I went to read it again. I have read the Sermon on the Mount many times in my life and I have to admit it has gotten to the point that I skim it and read the parts that I felt were made for me. Well, this morning I started to read it in the NIV and then I switched and started reading it out of The Message translation. If you have not done so, please do it. The Message may open your eyes.

I realized that all of these years I have read each blessing as being for a group of people, like: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." I considered that one group of people. But this morning as I read The Message its translation was “Blessed are the times when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” I realized that each blessing that Jesus said over the people was a blessing spoken over all of us. He was taking snapshots of pictures of each person's life, moments in time that we will each go through and blessing us through them and giving us reasons for each moment. It was such a heart squeezing, mind altering, paradigm shatter experience I just sat there basking in it. It was the sweet oil of revelation being poured out on me that I just had to enjoy it and share with others. 

Below is the Message Translation of the Beatitudes, please enjoy and be blessed in whatever snapshot you find yourself today.

You're Blessed

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even! —for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Go and be God-blessed!