Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: Matthew 11:4

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Matthew 11:5

Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 11:6

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. Matthew 12:15

He warned them not to tell others about him. Matthew 12:16

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: Matthew 12:17

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,   “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,     the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him,     and he will proclaim justice to the nations. Matthew 12:18

He will not quarrel or cry out;     no one will hear his voice in the streets. Matthew 12:19

A bruised reed he will not break,     and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. Matthew 12:20

In his name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:21

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him,     and he will bring justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1

He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. Isaiah 42:2

A bruised reed he will not break,     and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; Isaiah 42:3

he will not falter or be discouraged       he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.     In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” Isaiah 42:4

“The good news is that the one true God has now taken charge of the world, in and through Jesus and his death and resurrection.”

“God’s plan to put the world right has finally been launched.”

Simply Good News, Wright, p. 55 “The good news was, and is, that all this has happened in and through Jesus; that one day it will happen, completely and utterly, to all creation; and that we humans, every single one of us, whoever we are, can be caught up in that transformation here and now.” Simply Good News, Wright, p. 55

Sermon on The Mount Bookends Matthew 4:23-5:2 “great Crowds followed Him” “the mountain” “going up” “teaching” Matthew 7:28-8:1 “great Crowds followed Him” “the mountain” “going down” “teaching”

Beatitudes Implications Present Condition Poor in Spirit Mourn Meek Desire Righteousness Merciful Pure in Heart Peacemakers Persecuted Oppressed Future Condition Possess Kingdom Obtain Comfort Inherit the Earth Obtain Satisfaction Obtain Mercy See God Sons of God Great Reward

Three Blessings for the Humility of the Poor Beatitudes Three Blessings for the Humility of the Poor Blessed are the poor in spirit…     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn…     for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek…     for they will inherit the earth.

Three Blessings for those who pursue Righteousness and Justice Beatitudes Three Blessings for those who pursue Righteousness and Justice Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...     for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful...     for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart...     for they will see God.

-John Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, p.46 We don’t just mourn over past sin, but hunger for future righteousness” -John Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, p.46

Three Blessings for those Who Create Peace Beatitudes Three Blessings for those Who Create Peace Blessed are the peacemakers...     for they will be called children of God.   Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Three Blessings for those Who Create Peace Beatitudes Three Blessings for those Who Create Peace .“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me… great is your reward in heaven,

-Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, p. 109 “Here at the end of the Beatitudes the question arises as to where in this world such a faith-community actually finds a place…at the cross. The faith-community of the blessed is the community of the Crucified. With him they lost everything, and with him they found everything.” -Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, p. 109