The Beatitudes are some of the most beautiful words Jesus ever spoke, and they are also some of the most disruptive. In Matthew 5, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount not with commands, but with blessing: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.“Blessed are those who mourn.”Blessed are the meek.“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” These words are familiar to many of us, but they should still surprise us.

Christians dont have enemies, we have neighbors. This is the most misunderstood teaching of Jesus coming out of Matthew 5. Because the call to love our enemies is actually a call to see them as neighbors instead.

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools given to believers, and Jesus Himself demonstrated its significance through the Lord’s Prayer.