Summary: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). I think most Christians understand that that through the blood of Jesus we have forgiveness for our sins and life everlasting with the Father. However, many of us still struggle with the concept of forgiveness.
This book uses the Beatitudes, eight blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, to point the reader toward Jesus as they travel the path of forgiveness. This book is helpful for those seeking spiritual growth and insight for healthy, empowered forgiveness of others and forgiveness of ourselves. Each chapter focuses on a Beatitude and concludes with a healing meditation. The meditations help the reader to process our temptations and acknowledges that “hurt, hostility, and healing that is hot and holy ground.”
The book explains that the central focus of the Beatitudes is “what is happening in our heart’s core.” In His sermon, Jesus is addressing release from that which imprisons and corrupts our heart. This is important because our words and actions are a manifestation of our heart. Forgiveness is a release from the prison and burden of the past. Forgiveness is not a release from responsibility. As we study and pray and grow closer to Christ we are able to do the things that we cannot do on our own. Through Him we can forgive others and ourselves. Those that hurt us are often wounded people themselves.
Prayer: Thank you for the Sermon on the Mount. Help us to find forgiveness and peace in the Beatitudes of Jesus. Amen.
Use Cases: Improve relationships with others and God.
Question to Consider: Who do I need to forgive?
