All of us have had someone in authority over us who scarred us in some way: a distant parent, an unreasonable boss, a bullying commanding officer, a brutal coach. These people often get into our heads and change the way we see ourselves, evaluate ourselves, and live our life. Often we project these attributes onto our understanding of God, whether we realize it or not.
Jesus was dealing with that same problem when he spoke to the crowds. The religious leaders put a heavy burden on the people, but did not help them to carry it. Jesus told them that God was not like the priests, scribes, and Pharisees. He's not like your distant or perfectionist parent, either, or your unreasonable boss. God is not One who points down at all; He is a God who lifts us up.
Today, we look at the picture Jesus gave of God described in these three Beatitudes:
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
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