Matthew 5:1-16

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (v8).  Jesus announced that “the kingdom of God” was present.  His miracles and preaching were good news:  God exists, and He is kind and powerful.  If this is true, everything is different.  The weak, the poor, the pure, those who choose holiness even when it costs them, they all have a Father who sees their hearts and will reward them.  Empty religion for the sake of reputation is pointless, because God knows.

Answering Jesus’ call often means losing something the world considers valuable (v11).  But the reward is beyond price: “for they shall be called sons of God” (v9).