| The mountain where Jesus gave this sermon is a small hill in Galilee not far away from the lake. The message seems to have been directed to the disciples, with a larger crowd around also listening to what the Saviour said. He began his message with a series of sentences, each starting with the word 'Blessed'. You could use the word 'happy' instead. It is not always the rich people who are happy. Those who have realised their need of God and have taken what he has provided in Christ, are truly happy. There are some wonderful promises here. Those who mourn can have the comfort which God alone gives. Those who really want to go on with the Lord, who hunger and thirst after righteousness, have God's promise that he will satisfy their longing. Those who show mercy are acting like God does. He is our merciful Father and never turns away anyone who asks for his mercy. It is not easy to keep purity of mind and heart in our corrupt world. Those who really want to know God and have his fellowship need to be pure like God. There is a special blessing for those who try to keep peace, those who are willing to help men and women be reconciled to each other as well as to God. Christ had a special word for those who are persecuted, those whom the world turns against because they are on God's side. Christ's promise is that every word spoken against us here will bring a reward when we get home to heaven. God's children are very precious to him. Here then are Christ's promises. Almost everyone has a condition attached to it. We always have our part to play on the pathway to blessing. As one writer said 'We are never told to pray for blessing. We are told to be obedient and the blessing will follow'. What does that say to us? A PRAYER: Lord make me an instrument of thy peace. | 
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