Christ’s work was to reach the multitudes who were in ignorance. Often when teaching His disciples, He spoke within the hearing of the multitudes. The famous Sermon on the Mount was such a gathering.
On this occasion, Jesus and His disciples went to the seaside. While there, people started coming from far and near to hear Jesus and to be healed. The narrow beach couldn’t accommodate the crowd, so He led them up a nearby mountainside to a large place where they could sit on the grass to listen.
Teaching the conditions of entering the kingdom of heaven. His first words were, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:3) meaning happy are those who let go of pride, recognizing their spiritual poverty and need of God’s help to change to something better.
God can’t do anything to recover mankind until he recognizes his need and is willing to yield to His work in the heart and mind. The promise is that to the person who feels his need and comes to God for help, nothing is withheld. (Isaiah 57:15)
Christ’s next words, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” (Matthew 5:4) means happy are those who sorrowing for their selfish proud ways, come to God for healing and cleansing by the Holy Spirit.
Also, for those who have trial and sorrow, there is revealed to them plague spots in their character they didn’t realize before. As they humbly turn to God for help, His promise is, “I have seen his ways and will heal him…I will turn their mourning into joy and comfort them.”(Isaiah 57:18; Jeremiah 31:13)
So, let go of any pride, and willingly come to God for the healing He longs to give you.
If you have a question for Bible Mentor Marie Odell you can contact her by emailing: marieodell04@gmail.com
Marie Odell is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
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