Theme: Bleak realities, but blessed rewards

Exegetical note
Matthew's location of Jesus' great Sermon on the Mount is undoubtedly meant to strike a parallel with Moses and the Old Law. Here Jesus begins with the Beatitudes, which are addressed, not to a general audience, but to those - apparently the lowliest and most oppressed of society - who have devoted themselves to the inbreaking Reign. For them, the bleak realities of the present will give way to the blessed rewards of God's future.

Call to Worship
Leader: Bl…