{"id":6816,"date":"2026-01-18T12:23:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T19:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmccnow.com\/cms\/?p=6816"},"modified":"2026-01-20T12:33:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T19:33:29","slug":"the-same-yet-different-the-shocking-blessings-of-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmccnow.com\/cms\/the-same-yet-different-the-shocking-blessings-of-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"The Same Yet Different: The shocking blessings of Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 2026 College Football National Championship game involves two teams who have not been in the national championship conversation for several years. One team, Indiana, holds the record for the most losses ever by a college football team. Many people find it refreshing that this year\u2019s championship doesn\u2019t involve the same few teams that have dominated the sport for years. It\u2019s nice not to have the same old same old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes faith can seem that way. It\u2019s always the same old same old. Maybe it feels like we are going through the motions. Maybe it always seems predictable. You wonder if it really makes a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-79b4f84f\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-93b8059d\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-93b8059d videoandaudio\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Video:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Following Jesus: Gone Fishing\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1153385998?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The above is for the message only. You can watch the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=R6bLAvOxHHo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">entire January 18 service here on Youtube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-486956ef\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-486956ef videoandaudio\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Audio only<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/sermons.logos.com\/embed\/sermons\/1684982\" width=\"600\" height=\"392\"><\/iframe>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We sometimes tend to see the Sermon on the Mount in that way. We\u2019ve read it so many times that perhaps we\u2019ve lost sight of how revolutionary and radical it is. The Bible says that those who heard this message from Jesus were amazed. Some translations said they marvelled, they were astonished, or even astounded. Jeremy Bacon says that to say they were shell shocked would be a surprisingly accurate translation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are we stunned, amazed, astounded or shell shocked when we read Jesus\u2019s sermon? Maybe we need to take a deeper look to discover just how different His words were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Setting the stage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. <\/p>\n<cite>Matthew 5:1-2 (NIV)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>We sometimes miss the significance that there were two distinct audiences mentioned for tis sermon: The crowd and the disciples. Jesus sat to teach His disciples but was fully aware that the crowd was listening in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another significance is in this case literally lost in translation. Many translations of this passage read that Jesus opened His mouth and taught them. The NIV here truncates that to simply, \u201che began to teach.\u201d The reason this is significant is that in Biblical literature, repetitions often serve as an explanation point. It\u2019s a way for Matthew to tell his readers to slow down and read this carefully. This is something important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThis sermon is dangerous because it shakes us awake. This world is broken, but we develop so many ways to cope with life that we lose sight of how broken it all is (including us). Jesus\u2019 Sermon on the Mount shatters all of our illusions like glass. His stark portrayal of the way things should be lays bare the bankruptcy of the way things are. After reading this, the illusions are gone, and we know we can\u2019t stay where we are\u2026. This sermon is dangerous because reading it has consequences. It will sift you. You must respond one way or another, and the choice you make will echo into eternity.\u201d \u2013 Jeremy Bacon: The Sermon on the Mount: 40 Days of Learning the Ways of the Kingdom<\/p>\n<cite>Jeremy Bacon: &#8220;The Sermon on the Mount: 40 Days of Learning the Ways of the Kingdom&#8221;<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Unexpected Blessings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<br>Blessed are those who mourn,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for they will be comforted.<br>Blessed are the meek,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for they will inherit the earth.<br>Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for they will be filled.<br>Blessed are the merciful,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for they will be shown mercy.<br>Blessed are the pure in heart,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for they will see God.<br>Blessed are the peacemakers,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for they will be called children of God.<br>Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<br><strong><\/strong>\u201cBlessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.<\/p>\n<cite>Matthew 5:3-12 (NIV)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Matthew writes from a very Jewish perspective. When you look at scripture and at Hebrew culture, these blessings would be stunning to a Jewish audience. Blessings always came at the end, and they came in response to merit. Jesus began his message with blessings and he blessed them for very unexpected things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One good translation that might give us a better picture of what Jesus was saying might be to say, instead of \u201cblessed are,\u201d \u201cCongratulations. Jesus isn\u2019t blessing people as much as congratulating people who are in these situations. It wasn\u2019t \u201cblessed are you because\u201d as much as it was \u201cyou are blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Poor in Spirit.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We usually think of the poor as being without resources. Poor in spirit refers to an inward poverty. Emotionally and spiritually we lack the resources. It\u2019s like we\u2019re saying \u201cI have nothing, I can\u2019t do anything about it, I can\u2019t fix it, and I need you (God) to fix it.\u201d It\u2019s a sense of desperation and brokenness. Jesus congratulates the desperate and broken who receive the Kingdom of Heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mourning.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We might mourn for loss, circumstances, our failures and our struggles. We struggle with why God allows these things to happen. Jesus congratulates those who mourn because God has stepped into their suffering and he provides comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Meekness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The world says the spoils go to the winners. We celebrate the strong and mighty, the \u201cself made man.\u201d Jesus goes against the grain and congratulates the meek who will inherit the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easy to think Jesus is congratulating the righteousness. However, hungering and thirsting speaks of a kind of desperate longing. One doesn\u2019t long for what they already have. Is Jesus referring more to an attitude like the apostle Paul who wrote \u201c<strong> <\/strong>I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do?\u201d (Romans 7:15) Congratulations when you struggle and long to be more like Jesus, for you will be filled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mercy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The crowds expected a religious teacher to condemn unrighteousness. Society today has a way of condemning people who don\u2019t have the right attitudes about popular issues. In a world of condemnation and anger, Jesus congratulates those who have mercy and compassion towards those who struggle. They will receive mercy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pure of Heart<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a tough one because no one really qualifies for this, do they? In Hebrew culture, a person could not enter the temple if they were ceremonially unclean. Our spiritual uncleanness separates us from God. The book of Hebrews speaks of how blood from sacrifices is sprinkled over people to make people clean. When we\u2019ve been covered by the blood of Jesus, the barrier between us and God is taken away. Congratulations for you shall see God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The sameness in the blessings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There was a difference between the audiences. Those in the crowds were seekers. The disciples were the committed. One was made up of onlookers while the other included followers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there\u2019s a common bond in both groups: These blessings applied to both. There were broken and hurting people in both groups. The crowds had people who fell short, as did the disciples. The struggling, the lost, the meek, the wounded, the people in need of mercy: those things pointed to both audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This wasn\u2019t about \u201cdo this and you will be blessed.\u201d It was about congratulations for things you would never expect to be congratulated for. It was about what God does for His people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We expect a lesson on righteousness and legalism. We received a lesson on grace. We\u2019re not asked to become these things. Who wants to be poor in spirit? Who desires to be persecuted? Instead, Jesus speaks of blessings for things no one would expect to be blessed for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And these blessings were available for the crowds AND the disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Blessing and Difference<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference between the disciples and the crowds is: one side was following Jesus, the other was not. One side knew the blessings of the Savior, the other didn\u2019t.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s significant that the crowds were the onlookers. They were watching Jesus and listening in on His teachings. They were curious and they were interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What do they see?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \u201cYou are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.<strong> <\/strong>Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.<\/p>\n<cite>Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When people look at us, can they see Jesus? Do they see that this is more than just some words or about some religion? Can they tell there\u2019s something real and powerful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How well are reflecting the love and hope of Jesus?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Things that the world sees as weakness are celebrated as blessings. This was a radical message. As the world struggles and suffers and longs for something better, can they see those things in us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>When we truly follow Jesus, He is reflected in our lives in such a way that people want what we have.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Do they see a light? Do they notice the salt? What stands out? Is there anything stunning in us that reflects the Jesus that preached a message that left people shell shocked?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 College Football National Championship game involves two teams who have not been in the national championship conversation for several years. One team, Indiana, holds the record for the most losses ever by a college football team. Many people find it refreshing that this year\u2019s championship doesn\u2019t involve the same few teams that have &#8230; <a title=\"The Same Yet Different: The shocking blessings of Jesus\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/gmccnow.com\/cms\/the-same-yet-different-the-shocking-blessings-of-jesus\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Same Yet Different: The shocking blessings of Jesus\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[191],"tags":[138],"class_list":["post-6816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-following-jesus","tag-matthew-5","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Same Yet Different: The shocking blessings of Jesus - 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