In the Beatitudes, Jesus radically redefines what it means to be blessed. The world teaches us that blessing looks like success, strength, health, and having life under control. But when Jesus looks out over the crowd on the mountain, He sees the poor, the grieving, the weary, and the broken. And He calls them blessed. Not because their lives are working, but because the kingdom of heaven has come near to them.

The Beatitudes sound wrong to us because they expose our hearts. By nature, we do not want to be poor in spirit, meek, or mourning. We want to justify ourselves, manage appearances, and prove our worth before God and others. As the prophet Micah reminds us, we often assume God wants religious performance. But the Lord desires humility, a people who walk honestly before Him, knowing who He is and who we are not.

In this way, the Beatitudes function as God’s Law. They reveal our spiritual poverty and collapse every attempt at self-made righteousness. They leave us with empty hands. Yet they also lead us directly to the Gospel. Jesus is the truly blessed One. He is poor in spirit, meek, merciful, and persecuted for righteousness’ sake. He fulfills every Beatitude in His own life, death, and resurrection.

And what He fulfills, He freely gives. The Beatitudes are not instructions for how to earn God’s favor. They are promises describing what is already true for those who are in Christ. Even now, believers possess the kingdom of heaven. Even now, they are comforted with forgiveness and filled with Christ’s righteousness, often hidden under weakness and the cross.

This blessing becomes especially concrete at the Lord’s Table. There, the poor in spirit come with nothing to offer and receive everything. Christ gives His true Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins. Holy Communion is the Beatitudes made tangible, mercy placed on the tongue and peace given as a gift.

Finally, the Beatitudes lift our eyes toward heaven, where all that is hidden will be revealed. Mourning will turn to joy. Hunger will give way to fullness. Suffering will be transformed into glory. Until that day, Christ continues to gather His Church, not to reward the strong, but to bless the needy with this sure promise. Yours is the kingdom of heaven. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m.

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We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person!

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