Bible: New Testament: English Standard Version

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This passage represents the opening lines of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, one of the main sections of his teaching in the Gospel of Matthew. These lines are called “the Beatitudes” in Christian tradition (a word signifying “blessedness”). Here Jesus describes the characteristics of his movement, assigning value to poverty, humility, and perseverance through suffering, and promising God’s blessing for those who are faithful in such circumstances.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

This is another selection from the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus gives his “Lord’s Prayer” (in some traditions, called the “Our Father”). A parallel passage can be found in Luke 11:2-4. This prayer, consonant with Jesus’s other teaching, places emphasis on the idea of the kingdom of God, which spoke to Jewish expectations about the messianic age and the last days.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

While Jesus’s clearest appeals to his own messianic identity are seen in his claims of teaching authority, his acceptance of the disciples’ worship on several occasions, and his use of the title “Son of Man,” they also can be seen in subtler ways, as in this famous quote. Here Jesus portrays himself as the source of comfort and rest, referring to himself as a spiritual refuge in a way that reveals his understanding of his own high purpose in God’s plan.