Familiar? Yes!  Trivial?  Hardly!

When I was in grade school, every day one of the students would read for the class from the Bible, as required by state law. Because most of us “stay with the familiar and comfortable” certain passages were read almost exclusively: Psalm 23, Psalm 100, I Cor. 13, or Matthew 5 (the Beatitudes). Indeed, because they were read so often, that is how many of us memorized parts of these readings. However, sometimes the familiar can become the trite, or at worst, it becomes trivial. Unimportant.

But the words of the Master Teacher are as “apples of gold in pitchers of silver.” Hardly trivial! His Beatitudes are the answer to the great Greeks’ questions: “What is the Good Life?”And, “What makes a happy man?”

A man is happy if he….
• Is humble… for Jesus will give him a relationship with the eternal God.
• Is sorry for his own sins… Jesus will comfort him by forgiving all his sins.
• Patiently endures wrongs… he will find acceptance by others.
• Hungers and thirsts for righteousness… he will have Manna from Heaven and a well of water so he will never thirst.
• Is merciful to those who offend him…Jesus will forgive us as we extend mercy.
• Is pure in heart… will hear Him say, “Well done.” Is one who seeks Peace and does not retaliate… Jesus says these are citizens for the eternal kingdom.

Just as the Apostle Peter said, “Lord, you have the words of eternal life.”
— Hugh Price