Mount of Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount #travel #VisitIsrael

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The Mount of Beatitudes is just north of Ginosar on the Sea of Galilee in Israel, not far from the borders of Syria and Lebanon. This general area is where much of Jesus' ministry took place. Some of the other nearby holy sites include Capernaum and Tabgha, of which I'll share my travels there with you later this week. The Mount of Beatitudes is the site of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Here sits the Church of the Beatitudes, a beautiful Roman Catholic church built in 1938. The design reflects the Beatitudes (the very words of Jesus regarding who are blessed) and the hilltop location offers stunning views of the Sea of Galilee. Being there gave me a peaceful, reflective, humble feeling.

There are beautiful gardens all around the church, and along the walkway are individual plaques that state each of the Beatitudes. The interior of the church features lots of windows and a mosaic floor with the seven virtues - justice, charity, prudence, faith, fortitude, hope, and temperance.

Although the Sermon on the Mount is written across three chapter in the Book of Matthew, in chapters 5-7, the verses that have been termed "the beatitudes" are specifically found in Matthew 5.

Matthew 5 
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

The Sermon on the Mount is also where Jesus taught his disciples The Lord's Prayer:

Matthew 6
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

As I read again through Matthew 5-7, I rediscovered several verses I have known and loved all my life:

Matthew 5 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Matthew 6 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Jesus' own words, spoken directly to the disciples, written down in the Book of Matthew, so that we, even 2000 years later, can know what He, the Son of God came down to teach us. Amazing! The Mount of Beatitudes is the perfect place to sit down and read the Sermon on the Mount.

Read more about my travels HERE.
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