Week 1: Monday: Matthew 5

John Pritchard helpfully characterises each Beatitude as a call to let go of a need within us.

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

Letting go of our need to be somebody

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted —

Letting go of our pain

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth —

Letting go of our need to be right

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled —

Letting go of our concern for ourselves

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will receive mercy —

Letting go of our need for revenge

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

Letting go of our need to look good

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called the children of God —

Letting go of our need to win

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

Letting go of our “safety first” approach to life

However, Tom Wright wisely warns us against using the Beatitudes as a list of rules (try to be poor in spirit etc).

v17 is a motto that guides us in relating the Old Testament to the New.  But the warning to Christian OT commentators is stern (v19).

v21 begins a lengthy application of “surpasses” in v20.

In this Chapter especially, “The Message” shines (for example, v28 and 48).