Blessed: Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." There are no shortage of ideas of what it means to live a ‘good life.’ In a series of teaching known as the Beatitudes, Jesus is inviting people into a way of living that will not only produce true flourishing in the here and now, but also in the age to come. This Sunday, we conclude a series in which we deeply explore each blessing of these endlessly rich statements of Jesus.

Respond:

• Those who are “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” are the people that long to see right happen in the world. Have you ever been treated unfairly for doing what was right? What happened? What did it cost? Would you do it again?

• Everything demands your allegiance. Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters. Following the Lordship of Jesus involves an individual’s finances, sexuality, relationship to power and the values that one orients their lives around.

• Take some time to evaluate each of these categories of your life in relation to following Jesus. In what ways does following Jesus challenge both the religious and cultural norms today?