You’ve heard the rumors…there’s a man named Jesus, and he speaks with an authority no one has ever heard. Not only that, but they say he heals the sick! It’s not just one or two people who claim these things. Whole villages have seen it with their own eyes. It’s been generations since there was a prophet in Israel, and word has gotten around.

He’s in Galilee, your neighbor says. And they are going to see him, in hopes of seeing these miracles with their own eyes. You leave your work to join them, although you are skeptical. People claim to be prophets every day, and they end up being nothing but a disappointment.

But when you arrive, you realize…

This is no ordinary person. This is no sleight-of-hand, pretended prophet. The man before you looks as ordinary as your neighbor, but the words that come from his mouth seem to send lightning right down your spine.

The crowd is huge and you strain to see him over the teeming mass of people, but his voice carries down the hill and out over the water as you hear him say:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…”

Imagine being in Galilee when Jesus shared the beautiful words that would one day be known as the Beatitudes! In this video clip from Israel, you’ll see what the Mount of Beatitudes looks like today…and learn why it was the perfect place to reach the crowds.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12, NIV)


Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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