Contrasting Kingdoms

The culture of the Roman Empire in the time of Jesus was a very human-centred culture.  Wealth, fame, power, and comfort were the primary goals that people strived for, and people who had lots of wealth, fame, etc. were often considered to be better than those who did not.  In that sense, society hasn't really changed that much between then and now.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus gives us a description of the kingdom of God--a very different society with very different attitudes.

• The world favours people who are bold and self-confident, but God blesses people who are meek.
• The world favours people who hunger and thirst for wealth, fame, and power, but God blesses people who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
• The world favours people who aren't afraid to push others around to get what they want, but God blesses people who show mercy to others.
• The world favours people who live easy lives with no real struggles, but God blesses people who suffer because they follow him.

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