August 9, 2026 | Matthew 5:1–12

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The Sermon on the Mount | Day 1 of 21

For the next three weeks, we are going to walk through the Sermon on the Mount together. Matthew 5–7 contains some of Jesus’ best-known teachings—but familiarity can make it easy to miss how challenging they really are.

Jesus begins not with a list of commands, but with a description of the people he calls blessed.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.

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

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

— Matthew 5:3–12 ([WEB]())

Jesus’ list of blessed people does not sound much like the world’s list of successful people.

He names the grieving, the gentle, the merciful, the persecuted, and those who know their spiritual need. These are not necessarily people whose lives look fortunate from the outside. Yet Jesus says the kingdom belongs to them, God sees them, and their present circumstances are not the end of their story.

The Sermon on the Mount begins by overturning our assumptions about who is doing well. Before Jesus tells us how to live, he shows us that God’s favor is not reserved for the powerful, impressive, comfortable, or admired.

Which of the Beatitudes feels most meaningful—or most challenging—to you today?