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, he was travelling when he saw many people who had come to hear him teach – by this time, Jesus already had a far-reaching ministry which attracted large crowds to him. When Jesus saw the crowd, he went up onto 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 who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour will qualify to rule with Jesus Christ.

What a privilege we’d have this month to be able to learn from our Savior’s first teachings! Starting of the Sermon on the Mount is The Beatitudes or The Blessings, and this month we’d focus on them. Here we learn:

• the true will of God
• the behaviour and character 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 everlasting life and hope in heaven. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.