The Sermon on the Mount
When Jesus saw the crowds following him, he went up a mountainside, sat down, and began to teach his disciples. He started with a series of blessings, now known as the Beatitudes, describing the kind of people God calls blessed -- not the powerful or the proud, but the humble and hurting.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," he said, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." He continued, blessing those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and even those who are persecuted for doing what is right -- promising that their reward in heaven would be great.
Jesus then turned to his listeners directly, telling them, "You are the salt of the earth." Salt was valued for preserving and flavoring food, and Jesus meant that his followers were meant to have a similar effect on the world around them -- but salt that lost its saltiness was worthless, fit only to be thrown out.
He gave them a second image: "You are the light of the world." A city built on a hill can't be hidden, and no one lights a lamp only to cover it up. Instead, Jesus said, his followers should let their light shine before others, so that people would see their good deeds and give glory to God.
Read the Bible passage
See the full scripture text this story is based on.
- 5:1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
- 5:2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
- 5:3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- 5:4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- 5:5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- 5:6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- 5:7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- 5:10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- 5:11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- 5:12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- 5:13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
- 5:14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
- 5:15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
- 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
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