APRIL 1, Matthew 5:1-2

The Sermon on the Mount is the first and longest teaching of Jesus that we have in the Bible. Shortly after Jesus had chosen His 12 disciples, while travelling, He saw many people coming to hear Him teach - by this time, Jesus had already a far-reaching ministry which attracted large crowds to Him. When Jesus saw the crowd, He went up to the side of a mountain to sit down and teach His disciples and the people - this was how Jesus usually taught. What Jesus taught that day is called “The Sermon on the Mount” and it was recorded and written down by one of His 12 disciples, Matthew.

Jesus’ message to the disciples and the people was to repent from their sins because the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. One day soon in the future, Jesus Christ will return to earth to rule over it. When that day comes, only those who have had their sins forgiven by God and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour will be qualified to rule with Jesus Christ.

What a privilege we will have this month to be able to learn from our Saviour’s first teachings! The Sermon on the Mount begins with The Beatitudes or The Blessings, and this month we will focus on them. Here we will learn:
• the true will of God
• the behaviour and characteristics that children of God should have if they have repented from their sins and entered into God’s kingdom
• the blessings from God that a child of God receives.

Thought: Am I a child of God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner and my sin has separated me from God. Please forgive me of all my sins. Cleanse and wash me by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I accept Jesus Christ into my heart as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for sending Jesus to die in my place and take away all my sins. Thank You for the everlasting life and hope in Heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.