April 26, 2026. THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OR THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

                THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OR THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

The Sermon on the Mount was given by Jesus to bestow His blessing and to confer the title of "Apostle" upon the twelve disciples who followed Him.

This Mount was not a mountaintop, but rather a series of large hills situated in the northern part of the land of Israel on the Korazim Plateau. This volcanic region is bounded by the Hula Valley to the North, the Sea of ​​Galilee to the South, the mountains of Galilee to the West, and the Jordan River to the East.

The twelve disciples had followed their Master for a considerable time; they had heard Him preach in the synagogues and had been instructed in the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, an event of immense significance was about to unfold for them.

It was a beautiful spring day. While the disciples were busy attending to their boats and mending their fishing nets, the Master came down to the shoreline to gather them, calling upon them to follow Him up to the Korazim Plateau.

It was there that He would bestow His blessing upon them—performing a sacred rite to confer upon them the title of "Apostle"—before they descended from the mountain to go forth and proclaim the Gospel. 

On the way, Jesus said:

“The time has come, and I shall present you to My Father, that you may become ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven. You have heard Me preach about the Kingdom of Heaven in the synagogues, and during the times you accompanied Me to proclaim the message in the cities and villages surrounding the Sea of ​​Galilee. The new Kingdom that My Father has established within your hearts is an everlasting Kingdom. This Kingdom shall dwell within the hearts of all who do the Will of My Father. 

My Father belongs not solely to the Jewish people. Many shall come from the East and the West to enter My Father’s Kingdom, while a great number of the descendants of Abraham shall refuse to enter.

It is neither material wealth nor mighty armies that constitute the power of the Kingdom of Heaven; rather, it is the Holy Spirit of My Father that is its power—coming to instruct those within this Kingdom in the path of righteousness, teaching them that all humanity are brothers and sisters, and that peace shall come to those of good will. 

This is the Kingdom of Heaven that you shall go forth to proclaim.

But I tell you—and through you, all those who shall follow you into the Kingdom of Heaven hereafter—that there awaits a severe test. Faith shall grant you passage through the gate into the Kingdom of Heaven; yet, you must bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit if you wish to continue your ascent upon the spiritual path. These fruits are: ‘Love, joy, peace, patience, generosity, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, humility, self-control, and purity.’

Truly, truly, I say to you: not everyone who cries out, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the Will of My Father.” Your message to the world is this:

"Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you."

You are not to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is here or there; rather, the Kingdom of Heaven is the Spirit of My Father, who reigns within you.

Whoever desires to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the one who serves his brothers.

When you become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, you are no longer servants; you are children of My Father, the Living God.

You are to preach not merely with words, but through your way of life—a life of love and service—so that the world may know that you are My disciples.”

Upon reaching the highest hill of the Korazim plateau,  Jesus made them kneel in a circle around Him. Then He laid hands upon the head of each man, bestowing His blessing upon them—beginning with Judas Iscariot and concluding with Andrew.

He lifted His face toward the heavens and prayed:

"O Father, from among Your children in this world, I have chosen twelve men; they shall take My place in proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven. May You love them and abide with them, just as You have loved Me and abide with Me. Grant them wisdom, O Father, for I have entrusted to them the mission of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. I give You thanks, and I commend them into the loving embrace of Your hands."

Thereupon, the apostles rose to their feet and embraced Him.

A holy silence enveloped the scene as the Creator of the universe and of life itself entrusted the responsibility of proclaiming His Word into the hands of the apostles.

 Then Jesus said:

“Now you are ‘apostles’—a high and noble title that My Father has bestowed upon you.

“Now you are salt of the earth; if salt loses its savor, people will cast it down upon the ground and trample it underfoot.

Now you are a shining lamp; when lit, it must be placed upon a high stand to illuminate the entire house—not covered over with a basket.”

I teach you the virtue of PATIENCE.

If someone strikes you on the right cheek, offer him the left as well.

 If someone demands your outer cloak, hand over your inner garment, too. 

If someone asks you to walk one mile, go two miles with him. 

This is not weakness; rather, it is the boundless, majestic courage of those who follow in the My footsteps.

Go forth to those who suffer with gentleness and compassion.

Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you, and pray for them.

Your Father sends rain and sunshine upon both the righteous and the wicked. 

You are now the ambassadors of My Father; strive to be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven—the All-Perfect One—is perfect.

You have been sent forth to save souls, not to judge them; therefore, show mercy to your brothers and sisters.

You must live with integrity and without fear, so that you may prove yourselves worthy to be the ambassadors of My Father.

You have often heard the saying: 

If the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a pit. If you wish to lead others into the Kingdom of Heaven, you must walk in the light of Truth.

I warn you against false prophets—those who appear in sheep's clothing, yet harbor the hearts of wolves. You shall know a tree by its fruit. No one gathers grapes from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles. A good tree bears good fruit; a bad tree bears rotten fruit. My Father looks into the human heart, not merely at outward appearances.

Beloved Jesus,

I thank You for allowing me to hear once again these teachings—the very words You spoke on that day of blessing, when You conferred the title of Apostle upon Your twelve first disciples. 

Today, amidst the stillness of the morning, I am deeply moved—as if I were once again hearing Your voice echoing across the hills of Korazim two thousand years ago: words of loving counsel, of teachings urging the Apostles to live with patience and with a spirit of service, to refrain from judgment, and to love even their enemies.

You taught them to live with integrity, courage, and fearlessness, for the path that lay ahead of them would be fraught with immense hardship. With the exception of Judas, who betrayed You, the others proved themselves worthy of the title of Apostle, paying the ultimate price with their very lives—save for the Apostle John, whom You foretold would die of old age.

Today, I humbly ask to be a most lowly disciple of Yours; please, dear Jesus, help me to live in true accordance with all that You have taught.