Jesus begins The Sermon on the Mount with “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and “Blessed are those who mourn . . .” He goes on to say, “Blessed are those who are persecuted . . .”

Then suddenly Jesus says: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” By shifting from the third person to the second person Jesus makes it personal.

The Sermon on the Mount is about you! It’s not theoretical or theological. It’s not describing life in Heaven or in a perfect Christian community. It’s about you and how you need to live your life right now! It’s only three chapters long and I count at least 168 direct references to you and how you live your life today. Here are a few of them:

• “You are the salt of the earth.”
• “You are the light of the world.”
• “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.
• “If you forgive people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”
• “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
• “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
• “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.“

The picture with this post shows about half of The Sermon on the Mount with the references to you heavily underlined. Read it. It’s about you!