The Grateful Response to Jesus' Salvation

The response to Jesus' salvation is a grateful one. Jesus taught these things from the mountain, recreating the giving of the law. People often misunderstand the teachings as a list to earn God's favor, but they overlook that the law was given after God had saved them. Jesus' teachings are a response to the God who has given us blessing and salvation. We can be poor in spirit, enter into someone else's pain, be meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, show mercy, be pure in heart, prioritize peace, and endure persecution because Jesus has saved us. Our law giver, Jesus, not only issued the law but also offered himself as a substitute sacrifice. These eight teachings are not rungs of a ladder to climb to get to heaven, but a grateful response to a God who climbed down the ladder to save us. Salvation is a gift that we must receive personally.