Photo taken, by Charity Rattray in the Scottish Highlands

You’re not going to miss this chance to hear him and everyone’s gathering -everyone’s going flocks of men and women and children up toward the mountain.  He is there accessible in the flesh full of breath and life, his eyes draw you in and he speaks words that capture your attention.  You’ve heard he doesn’t teach like the normal leaders of the day urging and prodding the crowds-commanding all the louder in order to be heard.

Peter, James, Andrew, John, Luke, Mark, and the rest of the twelve position near him, always close on hand like chiseled statues frame your view around the Messiah.

The mount is a good vantage point for the surrounding area; it’s away from the city and the selling and trading, the mess, daily life, chores and tasks, are now refreshingly off in the distance.  The sound of the crowd is a dull roar of many conversations at all once.  Yet they all stop suddenly their speech conversations trail off -in one moment as he begins to speak.  Mountain quiet covers the masses except the occasional child’s laugh, or babe’s cry-  nothing distracts from the next moment as he speaks.

He says:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, 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.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed 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. (Matthew 5:2-12 NIV)

The above photo was taken in the Scottish Highlands and I thought it would be appropriate to have a Scottish travelers blessing for you to enjoy.

Life be in my speech,

Sense in what I say,
The bloom of cherries on my lips,
Till I come back again.

The love Christ Jesus gave
Be filling every heart for me,
The love Christ Jesus gave
Filling me for every one.

Traversing corries, traversing forests,
Traversing valleys long and wild.
The fair white Mary still uphold me,
The Shepherd Jesu be my shield,
The fair white Mary still uphold me,
The Shepherd Jesu be my shield.