Why did Jesus turn our value system upside down? (Matthew 5:3-12)
Matthew 5:3-12 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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Asked May 06 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
I would say that the only reason that the values and qualities spoken of by Jesus in the beatitudes seem "upside-down" is because humanity had been the original "flippers" of God's values through sin. Jesus was teaching the restoration of attitudes and actions that God had originally intended humanity to espouse and practice. It was mankind's falling away from God that had made the qualities of which Christ spoke, (such as poverty of spirit; meekness; a hunger for righteousness; mercy; purity; and a love of peace over conflict) to be the exception in human conduct, rather than the rule.
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