2: General Introduction on the Beatitudes

Among the sermons recorded in the Bible, the Sermon on the Mount is perhaps the best known.  Jesus’ hearers literally were astonished when they heard Jesus’ words for the first time.  Gently, yet forcefully Jesus expounded the Old Testament with a New Testament focus.  It is aptly called the Constitution of the Kingdom of God.  In this series we will limit our study to the opening passage of the sermon, commonly known as the Beatitudes.