We began our study of the gospels looking at them through the lens of “the mystery,” beginning with the Beatitudes and the sermon on the mount. We first took a look at the “If/Then” laws and principles in the Old Testament because they are also found in the gospels. There are many in the Old Testament (Exodus 21, 22, Leviticus 5:15, Deuteronomy 19:9, 25:1, 2 Chronicles 7:14 1 Samuel 12:14-15: If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. God's interaction with Israel was transactional. We will see this principle played out in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:9-15), as well as in other places in the gospels. I am so grateful that Jesus already paid the freight for our sins, and the transaction was paid in full. Colossians 2:13-15: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 1 John 2:1-2: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. As we study through the gospels, we will see a distinct difference of focus of each of the gospels and the target audience of each gospel. Matthew has a Jewish focus, presenting Jesus as the long awaited Messiah Mark has a Roman focus, presenting Jesus are the suffering servant Luke has a Greek culture focus, presenting Jesus as the Son of Man John has a whole world focus, presenting Jesus as the Son of God We got through the first few beatitudes in Matthew 5, revealing that they reveal the condition of the hearts of People, Jews in particular, who make it through Daniel's 70th week – the seven year tribulation, enduring to the end and are saved, being able to enter the 1,000 year messianic kingdom because they are poor in spirit, mournful, and meek. Each of these character traits are revealed in the life of Christ in the gospels. We shall continue our study this coming week, unless Jesus appears and catches us all up in the clouds! Amen!