While I Was Reading Sunday- Matthew 5

While I was reading the Sermon on the Mount today I felt the need to focus on what this sermon says about it's author. Jesus Christ gave this sermon three times in written history. Once on a mountain with his new apostles present, once on a plain with more listeners, and once to a people at a temple in the America's. 

  " It provides a window into the Savior’s own personality and character and summarizes the essence of Christlike behavior."
   By definition, character refers to the moral qualities of an individual that are conscientiously and consistently lived. As Jesus teaches these dense characteristics we can see how he embodied them in all his actions.

   In the 3rd Nephi account, contained in the book of Mormon, there are actually more beatitudes than in the New Testament. They come at the beginning. 

   Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve” (3 Nephi 12:1). “Blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized” (3 Nephi 12:1). “More blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me” (3 Nephi 12:2). “Blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins” (3 Nephi 12:2). These "fortunate" character traits turn us to him and set the pattern of seeing in Jesus the example of spiritual progression.

    In general this sermon teaches us how to overcome our natural nature. In all of the beatitudes we see a turning outward and becoming a more whole-hearted person.

   Jesus was poor in spirit

       Poor in spirit means lacking pridefulness. Pride usually turns us inward and defensive.

   Jesus mourned with others

       To think of others who are suffering while we are going through our own battles is very difficult. How did Christ find strength to heal the soldier's ear when his life was in jeopardy?

   Jesus was meek

      Humility is vulnerable. Becoming a strong, powerful person was not really a goal for Christ. He became strong in his meekness.

   Jesus hungered and thirsted after righteousness 

        The most profound action of righteousness in Christ was his constant reference to his Father. He hungered for others to know God, our Father. He thirsted for our relationship to become one.

    Jesus was merciful

       This trait is so obvious. He is the epitome of mercy, but what of his desire for justice? Without his all inclusive striving for justice his mercy could not be protected and made available for all.

   Jesus was pure in heart

      He was perfect because he was whole. His outward man was a true reflection of the inward man.

   Jesus was a peacemaker

      The greatest peace offering he gives is his life, to make us able to be reunited with our Father in Heaven.

   Jesus was persecuted for righteousness

     Certainly Jesus was a stumbling block to those who would not accept his teachings. When he taught truth that others found hard to bear aggression escalated quickly.

   Jesus was persecuted by false accusers

      Satan is the great accuser. He entices us to accuse first, to keep the spotlight off of ourselves. In accusation, a false righteousness keeps us from seeing things as they really are.

     "Thus, the character of Christ is to turn outward in compassion and service when facing spiritual adversity or physical pain even as the natural man in each of us would turn inward in self-obsession and self-interest."

   In summary, I agree with the definition of blessed as used in the beatitudes. If we develop these characters traits we will be most fortunate.