Reflections on the Beatitudes

Shocking earth-shattering revolutionary teachings that could grab the attention of both secular and religious folks. You will not be wrong to give such a description to the beatitudes as taught by the first century itinerant preacher known in his days as Jesus of Nazareth. Politicians spend millions if not billions to inherit the throne of their nations, migrants spend life savings to be able to migrate to countries where they expect greener pastures (to inherit a better country)and yet this humble intriguing Nazareth preacher boldly declares that it is the poor who inherit the kingdom of heaven.What kind of kingdom is he talking about that requires poverty to inherit? Was he making poverty a virtue? was he talking about a God who delights to see men impoverished? Was he talking about a kingdom in heaven ( the proverbial pie in the skies) or one that transcends heaven and earth now and in all eternity? find out from reading this book. Men spend fortunes to try and be happy, we flee sorrow and pursue happiness, yet Jesus declares fearlessly that the mourners are blessed while virtually imprecating those who laugh! But what does he mean by those mourning and those laughing in his teaching? A.W. Tozer of blessed memory once noted “if you want to know human nature just take the beatitudes and turn then round for human nature is exactly the opposite of the beatitudes”. Is not this the reason for the brokenness and mess in our world today? In a world where ruthlessness, assertiveness, demanding of our rights and survival of the fittest are the hallmarks of the “successful” Jesus gives us a rude awakening that it is the meek who inherit the earth! Call it counter cultural teaching and you will not be wrong for that is what it really is. This book walks you through the almost confusing labyrinth of the secrets of the kingdom of God as revealed by Christ and makes you know that it is indeed: “The glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out” ( Prov. 25.2.) Seven centuries before Christ, the prophet Isaiah taught that the ways and thoughts of God are as far above the thoughts and ways of men as the heavens are above the earth and that he who would walk with God and experience his riches must abandon human thoughts and take hold of the thoughts of God. This is exactly what Christ portrays in his teaching on the beatitudes: The goal of the author in this book is to decode the secrets of life as taught by the saviour in the beatitudes in order that his readers may deepen their faith and be inspired to know God in a pragmatic and realistic way. His approach is marvellous and intriguing. He inspires deep reflection and surprises his readers with his keen spiritual perception of the truths of Christ People seeking spiritual growth, those already versatile in the faith of Christ,all struggling with the complexities of life even unbelievers seeking to understand life may all benefit from reading this easy-to-read book. All the beatitudes in Matthew’s gospel gospels are explicated one by one , their meanings and practical applications elucidated and the sweet promises that go with them made amazingly explicit. The author compares the beatitudes in Matthew’s gospels with those in Luke’s gospel avoiding the theological jangle of whether or not they were preached on the same occasion but simply showing the practical significance of the Saviour’s teaching. He relates his own experiences of the power of Christ in his personal life with refreshing invigorating testimonies. His style of writing is fluent compelling and refreshing this is a book you cannot put down until you finish reading it and once you do you can never remain the same.