Comments on: Matthew 5:1-12 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/ reading the bible as a community Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:26:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Josh http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-77 Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:35:06 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-77 Wow, this must be either the first time i've read this passage or the first time i've read it properly. I love how interlinked each 'You're blessed' verse is- we can't be content with who we are without sorting out our inside world, our mind and heart. As well as being good preparation for the challenges faced as Christians, this seems to be a really clear definition of what being blessed is (duh!). But i wonder if whenever we use the world 'bless' nowadays we mean what we're saying. Saying to someone, 'God Bless you'.....i dont think 'losing that which is most dear to you' or 'being at the end of your rope' is what i would have in mind! Guess thats the difference between Earthly and Heavenly standards- the scenarios Jesus mentions may bring immediate pain and suffering, but ultimately should strengthen our relationship with God. Wow, this must be either the first time i’ve read this passage or the first time i’ve read it properly. I love how interlinked each ‘You’re blessed’ verse is- we can’t be content with who we are without sorting out our inside world, our mind and heart.

As well as being good preparation for the challenges faced as Christians, this seems to be a really clear definition of what being blessed is (duh!). But i wonder if whenever we use the world ‘bless’ nowadays we mean what we’re saying. Saying to someone, ‘God Bless you’…..i dont think ‘losing that which is most dear to you’ or ‘being at the end of your rope’ is what i would have in mind! Guess thats the difference between Earthly and Heavenly standards- the scenarios Jesus mentions may bring immediate pain and suffering, but ultimately should strengthen our relationship with God.

]]> by: Jill http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-71 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:17:25 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-71 Phew... I didn't know that was from the Message. I was just scared by how much Greek Richard must know to whip up a translation before breakfast! I love the first line: "with less of you there is more of God and his rule." With the Christmas readings at this time of year, I'm a big fan of Mary who confronted with very unplanned pregnancy with God's Son, simply said: Let it be to me as you have said! What an open-hearted response to God! Phew… I didn’t know that was from the Message. I was just scared by how much Greek Richard must know to whip up a translation before breakfast!

I love the first line: “with less of you there is more of God and his rule.” With the Christmas readings at this time of year, I’m a big fan of Mary who confronted with very unplanned pregnancy with God’s Son, simply said: Let it be to me as you have said! What an open-hearted response to God!

]]> by: Tam http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-70 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:26:48 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-70 Well..... I know that this version of the Beatitudes in the Message has kept me sane during the last 4 months which have been the toughest of my life (so far)........ I love the fresh slant this version gives. I had gotten so used to the NIV it had lost its meaning a little. And I can honestly say that they work too! Well….. I know that this version of the Beatitudes in the Message has kept me sane during the last 4 months which have been the toughest of my life (so far)…….. I love the fresh slant this version gives. I had gotten so used to the NIV it had lost its meaning a little. And I can honestly say that they work too!

]]> by: alison http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-69 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:41:42 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-69 haha I know what you mean - imagine having to scramble up some hill only to be told to look forward to opposition and persecution. Actually, I just re-read the wording of this one: “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. It gave me quite a start - I guess that's happened to me and that really was my experience. i don't particularly enjoy losing whats most dear to me, but being embraced by Him is the most astonishing and profound experience.. haha I know what you mean - imagine having to scramble up some hill only to be told to look forward to opposition and persecution.
Actually, I just re-read the wording of this one:
“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.
It gave me quite a start - I guess that’s happened to me and that really was my experience. i don’t particularly enjoy losing whats most dear to me, but being embraced by Him is the most astonishing and profound experience..

]]> by: richard http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-68 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:53:47 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-68 That's exactly what struck me Alison. It also seems to me here that "the committed" isn't meant as term of praise (like churches often use it) saying that they were somehow spiritually superior to the crowd. It's pretty obvious as the story goes on that they weren't. But they were called. Called to be committed, to follow and to serve sacrificially. And that calling included climbing the hill with Jesus, to a quiet place, to be with him and to hear some extra, teaching, which of course they would then later pass on (eg to us on this blog today!) And it's pretty obvious from what Jesus taught them they they were being called to reach the end of their own resources, to hunger for God, to make peace in conflict and to suffer plenty of opposition and hardship. I'm so glad that we can just stay in the crowd forever because Jesus never calls us to climb the hill and hear those sorts of things as our calling too..... That’s exactly what struck me Alison.
It also seems to me here that “the committed” isn’t meant as term of praise (like churches often use it) saying that they were somehow spiritually superior to the crowd. It’s pretty obvious as the story goes on that they weren’t. But they were called. Called to be committed, to follow and to serve sacrificially.
And that calling included climbing the hill with Jesus, to a quiet place, to be with him and to hear some extra, teaching, which of course they would then later pass on (eg to us on this blog today!)
And it’s pretty obvious from what Jesus taught them they they were being called to reach the end of their own resources, to hunger for God, to make peace in conflict and to suffer plenty of opposition and hardship.
I’m so glad that we can just stay in the crowd forever because Jesus never calls us to climb the hill and hear those sorts of things as our calling too…..

]]> by: alison http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-67 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 13:19:50 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2006/12/20/matthew-51-16/#comment-67 I'm not very good at heights, but I'd like to be one of Jesus' climbing companions... Interesting that He actually chose to leave a ready made audience and walked away to preach to just the committed .. I’m not very good at heights, but I’d like to be one of Jesus’ climbing companions… Interesting that He actually chose to leave a ready made audience and walked away to preach to just the committed ..

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