The Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12 have often been experienced as either frustrating idealism or oppressive legalism. This book will show that they are neither. They are the result of Jesus and His gospel getting a hold on us! Readers of the book will find freedom and encouragement as they understand that in these famous words Jesus is simply describing what He is doing in the people that He calls to Himself. The eight "blessed are" Jesus speaks from a Galilean mountain are probably the most well-known of all His sayings. Rightly understood, they turn the world up-side down!

The good news of Jesus is that the long-awaited kingdom of God is breaking into the world - God is breaking into our brokenness to heal and restore. In His Beatitudes, Jesus is painting a picture of those in whom God's kingdom is breaking in - those being transformed by Him and His good news. As people steep themselves in these words, they will discover the joy of being brought into alignment with God's re-creating rule.