Blessed are the Winners and The Losers Matthew 5:1-12
1. Today is Super Bowl Sunday Matthew 5:1-12
• In Levi Stadium in California a NFL referee will toss a coin. Moments later, Super Bowl LX will be under way.
• New England and Seattle will pound each other for several bone-jarring hours.
• When the game is over one team will emerge the victor.
• Every player is blessed to play in Super Bowl
2. Every player in the Super Bowl is blessed to have played
• Every player on the winning team will walk away with a massive gold ring and a bonus check for $178,000.
• Don’t feel too sorry for the losers, though. Their Super Bowl consolation prize is $103,000 each.
• To play in the Super is a blessing it will even probably be mentioned in their obituary.
3. After the Super Bowl a reporter will say something like this “How does it feel to have just won the Super?
• It’s very likely one player or another will utter these words: “I’m so blessed.” Blessed to be a pro football player, Blessed to play in the Super Bowl
• Blessed to be on the winning team, blessed to have caught the long pass, blessed to have kicked the 55-yard field goal, blessed to have made the crucial block,
• Blessed to have sacked the quarterback 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
4. Today’s reading The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12
• On a hillside in Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth sits down to teach.
• Gathered around Jesus are not Super Bowl players They’re ordinary working folk — shepherds, farmers, fishermen, potters, weavers, shopkeepers.
• Most of Jesus’ crowd that day are carrying around huge burdens of guilt, as a result of religious pressures from Scribes and Pharisees
5. Jesus says blessed are the least or the losers of life Eugene Peterson says the following
• “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less there is more God
• “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
• “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are — no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
• “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. God’s food and drink is the best meal you’ll ever eat.
• “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment’ you find yourselves cared for
• “You’re blessed when you get your inside world — your mind and heart — put right. Then you can see God
6. Jesus says it’s the Losers in the text that are Blessed not the Winners of Super Bowl
• How many times have you heard a someone say, “I’m so blessed”?
• That is followed by a list of things that brought us satisfaction —
• Prosperity, good health, children. Some people say “I’m so blessed” with new car or vacation home.
7. To Jesus the blessed Ones are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, those who hunger, those who are pure, those who are peace makers, and those who are persecuted.
• If we could put this in football lango for Super Bowl Sunday
• Blessed are the receivers who run their routes with patience, for they shall be trusted when the moment comes.
• Blessed are the running backs who take the hit and rise again, for endurance shall be their crown.
• Blessed are the linemen who labor in silence, for their strength shall uphold many.
• Blessed are the quarterbacks who stay calm in the pocket, for they shall see the field clearly.
• Blessed are the defenders who help an opponent to his feet, for they shall be called peacemakers on the field.
• Blessed are the coaches who believe in the overlooked, for they shall uncover hidden greatness.
• Blessed are the players who celebrate their teammates more than themselves, for joy shall overflow in their huddle.
• Blessed are the ones who run the long route even when the ball is not coming, for integrity shall be their reward.
• Blessed are the fans that stay faithful in losing seasons, for their hope shall not be in vain.
• Blessed are the injured that fight their way back, for they shall know the power of perseverance.
• Blessed are the rookies who listen and learn, for wisdom shall guide their steps.
• Blessed are the veterans who teach without pride, for they shall leave a legacy that lasts.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
