One day; Jesus was walking down by the sea. Noticing a crowd around him, he climbed up a mountain side. Finding a level place to teach his followers, he said,
- Blessed are the spiritually poor, because God’s Kingdom is theirs.
- Blessed are you who are hungry now, because you will be filled.
- Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.
- Blessed are you who weep now, because you will laugh.
- Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for how things ought to be, because they will be filled.
- Blessed are those who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
- Blessed are the pure hearted, because they will see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called God’s children.
- Blessed are those who have been outcast because they say and do what is right, because the Kingdom of eternity is theirs.
- Blessed are you when people insult and hate you, persecute, exclude and mock you, speaking all kinds of evil lies about you (even throwing out your name as evil, because of the son of man). Be happy when that happens, leap for joy, because your reward is great in heaven. (Their fathers did the same thing to the prophets who were before you.)
- But distress for you who are rich, because you have received your comfort.
- Distress to you who are full now, because you will be hungry.
- Distress to you who laugh now, because you will mourn and weep.
- Distress when people speak well of you, because their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, what will restore its saltiness? It is, then, good for nothing. Rather, it’s thrown away, and stepped on.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a box – but on a stand (and it shines to all who are in the house). Like this, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good actions, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy them, but to fulfill them. I tell you Truth’s truth; until heaven and earth die off, not even the smallest letter or tiniest pen stroke will (in any way) die off from the law… until all things are accomplished. Whoever, therefore, breaks one of the smallest commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be considered as the least in the kingdom of eternity; but whoever does and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of eternity.
I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the religious experts and leaders, then there is no way you will enter into the kingdom of eternity.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit murder, and whoever does murder will face judgment’. However; I tell you that everyone who is angry with another is at risk of being judged. Whoever insults someone is at risk of being sued, and whoever claims someone has no worth is at risk of being thrown in the fire as trash. So, if you are offering your gift before God, and at that point remember that your brother has something against you – leave your gift there before the altar, and go away. First; make up with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift. Agree quickly with the one taking you to court (while you are together on the way), or else it is possible that: the prosecutor will deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the warden, and you be thrown into prison. I tell you Truth’s truth, you will not get out of there until you have paid back everything.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery;’ but I tell you that everyone who imagines arousal with someone has already committed adultery in their heart. If your right eye causes you to knowingly do wrong – then pluck it out and throw it away, because it is better (for you) that one part of your body dies than for your whole body to be thrown into eternity’s recycling fire. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away, because it better that one part of your body dies than for your whole body to be thrown into eternity’s recycling fire.
“It was also said, ‘Whoever sends away their wife, let him give divorce papers.’ However, I tell you that whoever divorces their spouse (except when sexual immorality was committed – which makes a person an adulterer), and whoever marries a divorced person commits adultery.
“Again; you have heard that it was said to them in ancient times, ‘Do not lie when you are swearing to tell the truth, but complete what you promise like you are working for The Powerful-One.’ But; I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven (because it is God’s throne), or by the earth (because it is his footstool), or by Jerusalem (because it is the city of the great King). Also do not swear by your own head, because you can’t make one hair grow white or black. Rather, let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever goes beyond this is of the evil one.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ However; I tell you to not resist the person who is evil, but… whoever hits you on your right cheek – turn to them the other also… if anyone sues you to take away your shirt, let them have your coat as well… whoever demands that you to go one mile, go two miles with them. Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you. Don’t ask the person who takes away your possessions to give them back again.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You are to love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ However I tell you (who hear) to: love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you – so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. The way you wish people would act toward you, act that way toward them. So; if you love those who love you, what reward do you expect? Because; even those who knowingly do wrong love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends and lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what more do you do than others? What credit is that to you? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend (expecting nothing back). Then; you will be perfect… just as your Father in eternity is perfect… and your reward will be great… and you will be children of the Most High (because he is kind toward the unthankful and evil).
“Be careful that you don’t let your giving to the less fortunate be acting for others (to be seen by them). Otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in eternity. Therefore; when you do merciful actions, don’t draw attention to yourself like the hypocrites do in the churches and streets, so that they may get glory from people. I tell you Truth’s truth, they have received their reward. However, when you do merciful actions, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does (so that your merciful actions may be in secret). Then, your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
“When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to stand and pray in the churches and public places – to be seen by people. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray: enter into your inside room… having shut your door… pray to your Father who is in secret… and your Father who sees in secret will openly reward you.
Don’t use self-exalting repetitions when praying (like the outsiders do). They think that they will be heard because of how stirringly they speak. Therefore; don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Pray like this:
‘Our Father in eternity, may your name be kept holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on Earth like it is in eternity. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us what we owe, like we forgive those who owe us. Do not lead us into tempting, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Because if you forgive people their wrongs, your eternal Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive people their wrongs, neither will your Father forgive your wrongs.
“Moreover, when you fast; don’t be like the hypocrites who disfigure their faces to look sad (that they may be recognized by people as fasting). I tell you the truth – they have received their reward. But you (when you fast); wash your hair and face so that you are not recognized by people to be fasting… but by your Father who is in secret… and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“Do not save-up treasures for yourselves on Earth (where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal). Rather; save up for yourselves treasures in eternity where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal. So; where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore; if your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
“No one can serve two masters; because they will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Therefore; I tell you to not worry about your life (what you will eat, or what you will drink). Neither about your body (what you will wear). Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t plant, or harvest, or gather into barns. Still, your heavenly father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they are? “Which of you (through worry) can add one moment to his life? Why are you worried about clothing? Consider how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t work; Neither do they spin. Yet, I tell you that even Solomon in all his magnificence was not dressed like one of these. But if God clothes the grass of the field like this (which exists today, and tomorrow is thrown away), won’t he much more clothe you… you with small faith?
“Therefore don’t be afraid, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will we wear?’… because outsiders chase after all these things… because your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Rather; first chase God’s Kingdom and his righteousness – and everything will be given to you as well. So; don’t be worried about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
“Do not judge (so that you won’t be judged), because whatever measure you use is the standard you will be measured by. Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a hole? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone will be like their teacher (once they are fully trained). Why do you see a twig fragment in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the wooden beam in your own eye? Or; How will you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me help take out the twig fragment from your eye…’ when you yourself don’t see the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite!
First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the twig from your brother’s. Don’t give what is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, or else they might step all over your gift, and turn and tear you up too.
“Ask… and it will be given to you. Search… and you will find. Knock… and it will be opened for you. Everyone who asks, receives. The one who searches, finds. To the person who knocks, it will be opened. Or… which of you with a child asking for bread, will give a stone? Or asking for a fish, who will give a snake? If you (being evil), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in eternity give good things to those who ask him! Therefore; whatever you desire for people to do to you, you do that for them. because this is the law and the prophets. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”
“Enter through the narrow door, because the door is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction (and there are many who enter through it). Alternatively; the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life! There are only a few who find it.
“Beware of people who deceive while pretending to be God’s voice. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inside are predator wolves. You will recognize them by their fruit. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the sick tree produces bad fruit. No good tree can produce sick fruit; Neither can a evil tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Understand; each tree is known by its own fruit.
“So, be full of mercy (even like your Father is full of mercy)… don’t judge, and you won’t be judged… don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned… set free, and you will be set free. The good person out of the good heart’s treasure brings out what is good, and the evil person out of the evil heart’s treasure brings out what is evil. The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Not everyone who addresses me, ‘Powerful-One, Powerful-One’ will make it into the kingdom of eternity, except the one who does what my eternal father wants. In that day many will say, ‘Powerful-One, Powerful-One, didn’t we speak your word… in your name free the afflicted… and in your name do many great things?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Leave me… you who knowingly do what is wrong.’ Why call me, ‘Powerful-One, Powerful-One,’ and not do what I say?
Everyone who comes to me… and hears these words of mine… and does them… I will describe that person to you; They are like someone building a house. They dug deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. The rain came down… the floods came… and the winds blew… and the stream that beat on that house could not shake (it and it didn’t fall), because – it was built on the rock! However; everyone who hears my words, and doesn’t do them is like a foolish person who built their house on the sand (without a foundation). The rain came down… the floods came… and the winds blew… and beat on that house… and it fell—and great was the destruction.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things we were astonished at his teaching, because he taught with authority (and not like our leaders). When he came down from the mountain, huge crowds followed him.
After speaking, he entered into Capernaum.
NEXT UP:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
SOURCE
TEXTS:
This post includes all Jesus’ words from:
CLARIFIED
WORDING:
Bible Dictionary: a list of Bible words and phrases (typically Jesus’ words) which don’t have clear meaning when used in daily talk, and are simplified / culturally paraphrased in this story – in pursuit of understanding.
RECENT
POSTS:
Jesus fan fiction 20 – John the Baptist story from Luke 3, spoken from the perspective of a patriotic Roman
I remember feeling the sticky on the bottom of my feet with each step as I left our city’s stadium with my parents explaining (again) that every culture across time has included people shouting that God’s judgment is coming, just like the man yelling at us. The people they claim to be doomed are notContinue reading “Jesus fan fiction 20 – John the Baptist story from Luke 3, spoken from the perspective of a patriotic Roman”
Jesus fan fiction 19 – They return, and everything rises to another level
They traveled throughout the villages, announcing the good news for us to turn from knowingly doing wrong to to be forgiven of those wrongs. They healed people everywhere. Having returned… The Sent-ones told about everything they had done! …having cast out many false-accusers, and sick people were healed (without Jesus being there). They told himContinue reading “Jesus fan fiction 19 – They return, and everything rises to another level”
So… you heard that God told them the date for the end?!? (Part 2)
Many Americans are new to dealing with the scare tactics which religious, fear-based leaders use to solidify their position of power by using “the world is ending… are you ready?” Remember, these people use this tactic to make money and feel powerful… nothing else. Anyone who claims they have an inside track on whenContinue reading “So… you heard that God told them the date for the end?!? (Part 2)”
Daniel Part 1 – Let the reader understand
Having just completed a project requiring over a decade of research on the four Gospels of Jesus, there is one point in Matthew and Mark which has been festering in my mind for years. At the same point in these two of the gospel stories that both writers specifically direct, “let the reader understand.” And…Continue reading “Daniel Part 1 – Let the reader understand”
Meet Jesus (4 Gospels in one story)
All four (4) gospels copied and pasted into one scene-by-scene story. (CLICK TO VIEW how each gospel’s chapter and verse fit this combination) Opening: 1. Introduction 2. Ancestries 3. Prophesy of John’s birth 4. Mary is told 5. Mary’s shame; Joseph’s dream 6. John’s birth 7. Jesus’ birth 8. Day eight in Jerusalem 9.Continue reading “Meet Jesus (4 Gospels in one story)”
Jesus fan fiction 18 – Jesus sends out the 12 (2 by 2)
He called for his twelve… Jesus sent them out in pairs to announce God’s Kingdom, and to heal the sick. He gave them power and authority; He commanded them, “Don’t go where the outsiders are, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Continue reading “Jesus fan fiction 18 – Jesus sends out the 12 (2 by 2)”
Jesus fan fiction 17 – Visit home church, and Herod murders John the Baptist
He traveled back to Nazareth for a Sabbath Jesus followers being present kept the threats at a murmur, but attenders were astonished – trying to figure out how this nobody (whose family everyone knew) was doing and speaking unbelievable things. They were offended at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor,Continue reading “Jesus fan fiction 17 – Visit home church, and Herod murders John the Baptist”
Jesus fan fiction 16 – Night after sower sermon on sabbath
Evening of that same day he said, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake”, and they left there by boat. They launched out, and sailed off as Jesus fell asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. The winds grew heavier until a big storm had come down on theContinue reading “Jesus fan fiction 16 – Night after sower sermon on sabbath”
Jesus fan fiction 15 – Full sower sermon sabbath day with Jesus
One morning before church… Jesus’ group was picking some grain for breakfast, and a political-religious leader again accused them of “working on the sabbath.” Jesus tossed his accusation away using scripture (dismantling this guy’s foundation), “Haven’t you read what David did? …when he was hungry, and those who were with him? …How he entered intoContinue reading “Jesus fan fiction 15 – Full sower sermon sabbath day with Jesus”
Jesus fan fiction 14 – John’s followers and religious leaders question
John’s followers told him (in prison) what Jesus was doing. John sent them back, asking if Jesus is The One? In response to, “Should we look for someone else?”, Jesus replied with actions. Diseases, plagues and spirits were healed, and the blind given sight. Speaking to John’s followers, he said, “Go, tell John what you hearContinue reading “Jesus fan fiction 14 – John’s followers and religious leaders question”