Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5.3)

Greek word translated: μακαριοι; makarioi (3107)

Jesus, during his Galilean ministry, sitting high on a hillside above the lake, describes as ‘blessed’ people who are suffering in one form or another; mourning, humbled, hungering, thirsting and persecuted.  At first reading this sounds odd, if not ridiculous.

The sermon on the mount is the closest Jesus came to setting out a ‘manifesto’, if you will, a summary of his ministry.  Controversial and counter-cultural, then and now,  Read more