Have you ever found yourself saying, “It was all good until he or she opened his/her mouth?”
Perhaps you were admiring someone that you wanted to date . . . and it was all good until they spoke. Then you decided . . . “Ummmmm, not for me.”
Or . . . you had a perception of something that someone thought and then when he/she “opened his/her mouth” that perception was busted?
In Matthew, as we read The Sermon on the Mount, it begins with scripture saying, “Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them.”
If we look at the Greek translation of this phrase, we realize that Matthew telling us that Jesus “opened his mouth” is a big deal.
The words coming out of Jesus’ mouth were not just a whim or fancy he happened to feel during that time. They were intentional words given with serious and dignified intention and meaning.
This phrase in its Greek meaning was used when someone truly opened their heart to fully pour out their minds. There were no barriers in what was being said . . . it was real, honest disclosure.
This gives real power and meaning to the “beatitudes” . . . the teachings of Jesus that are contained in The Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:3- 10
“Oh, the joy of those who feel they’ve lost what is most dear to them . . .”
“Oh, the joy of those who are content with just who you are . . . no more, no less . . .”
“Oh, the joy of those who have worked up a good appetite for God . . .”
“Oh, the joy of those who care . . .”
“Oh, the joy of those who get inside their world – their mind and heart – made right . . .”
“Oh, the joy of those who can show people how to cooperate instead of competing or fight . . .”