Commandments

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. 

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

The above Beatitudes appear before today’s reading from Matthew.  Although not considered commandments, for all intents and purposes, they are.  We must be poor in spirit (humble); mourn for those who are suffering; be meek (submit to will of God); hunger and thirst for what is right and just; be merciful; be clean of heart; seek peace; endure persecution when we act rightly and justly; defend followers of Jesus and be in his vanguard; and rejoice and be glad.

When we do all these things, we become “great” and worthy to be called a follower of Jesus.

Deacon David Pierce