The Beatitudes teach us that we can be poor in spirit, meek, and peacemakers, and yet the world will still oppose Christians because they oppose Christ. Ultimately, the only way to avoid persecution is to conform to the world and adopt its message. Rather than responding to this with discouragement and depression, Jesus says that the persecuted Christian is blessed to share the name and nature of Christ.

Peter. James and John accompany Jesus up a hill where Jesus is Transfigured. They see Moses and Elijah, and hear God speak.

Peace between people in our nation and our world is in short supply. Genuine believers are those who pursue peace with others rather than stoking conflict. Peacemaking reveals a heart that is no longer centered on self and gratifying selfish desires. But biblical peacemaking is not avoiding conflict or people-pleasing, so how should we understand it?

Every person is born with a polluted, impure heart. What we need desperately is to be cleansed. Genuine believers are distinguished by a new, internal love for God and His ways.

Jesus tells his followers the risks and suffering involved with becoming a true disciple of Christ

Understanding the depth our own sinfulness and God’s mercy toward us in Christ, nothing would be more contradictory and inconsistent in a follower of Jesus than a lack of mercy, kindness, and concern toward others in sin and need. Jesus says showing mercy toward others must be a defining characteristic of Christians.

Jesus foretells His death and rebukes Peter for not wanting that to happen

It’s the universal condition of fallen man that we are constantly, vainly trying to satisfy self with things that can never satisfy. The true believer is marked by a new blessedness that comes from an internal hunger for God and His ways. He gives is this hunger and He satisfies it.

Jesus gives Peter his name and reveals his plan for The Church