Jesus begins his ministry by going to the desert where after fasting for forty days, he was tempted by Satan. The temptations he faced were the same that have plagued mankind since the creation....the temptation to exchange the kingdom of God for temporal pleasure in this limited universe. But Jesus did not yield to the temptation and From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."(Matt. 4:17 NIV)
Crowds followed him. They wanted what he could give: the good news of the kingdom and healing of every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he knew he had to impart the entire truth of the kingdom to them, so he sat down on the mountain and began to teach. The first words out of his mouth should have told them that this kingdom he was a part of was different from that to which they were accustomed.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5: 3-10 NIV
What's this? A kingdom made up of the poor in spirit, mourners, people who are meek, people who hunger to be righteous, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers and ones willing to be persecuted. A kingdom where you are to rejoice that you are persecuted and falsely accused. One where keeping the law means not just outwardly, but inwardly as well. One where you turn the other cheek and love your enemies. One where you are perfect as God is perfect. What kind of a kingdom is this?
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