Scripture: Matthew
5:1-12
Matthew 5 begins Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This particular
segment is known as the Beatitudes. It derives its name from the Latin word beatus which means blessed, referring to the repeated beginning of each verse as Jesus
says, “Blessed are ….” This sermon is Jesus’ first time teaching the disciples
in Matthew, it is important to understand these passages in light of the
kingdom of heaven. Jesus is revealing that the kingdom of heaven is different
than the kingdoms of earth, and its priorities and values are different than
human priorities.
Teaching
In many ways Jesus’ words seem contradictory to our experience.
He says that certain people are blessed or happy: the poor in spirit, those who
mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, even those who
are persecuted on his account. We would normally consider the powerful, rich,
or successful blessed. The people Jesus speaks of are not blessed because they
are in a lowly position but because God will meet them in that condition and
give them a good outcome or ending, which often takes place after this life is
over.
There have been some who try to use the Beatitudes as words
of Law, calling them “Be Attitudes.” This misses the point of this passage and
the Gospel it presents to us. Jesus is not giving us a list of attributes to
strive for, but recognizing the hurts and needs of people who trust in God for
redemption. He assures us that he will deal graciously with us. In the kingdom
of this world these attributes might even be mocked or looked down upon, but
for those blessed to be in the kingdom of heaven, they will find their reward
in Christ.
Life
Do you ever find yourself focused on your own performance,
failures, or dissatisfaction with life? The Beatitudes point us beyond these
things and remind us that God’s faithfulness extends into and beyond our
situation in this life. Our reward is not in this life, but in the kingdom of
heaven. This kingdom has broken into our lives and its promises are so powerful
and certain that they fill us with faith and hope as we face this world.
As you examine your life, what are the pains and sorrows
that this world of sin has inflicted on you? What is it about the kingdom of
heaven that you most desire? As you face each day desiring God’s blessing and
relief, let Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes remind you that God’s blessings are worth
waiting for. They are so good that the present suffering is not worthy to be
compared to the glory revealed in Christ and in God’s daily faithfulness. (Rom
8:18)
Prayer
O God, Jesus said, “Blessed are …,” about a bunch of people
we would not usually consider blessed. As people who are part of your kingdom,
however, we are sometimes like the people he described. Thank you for assuring
us that our desire for the kingdom of heaven and all its blessings will be
satisfied by you. Thank you for showing us that there is more to life than
power, wealth, and personal pleasure. Please forgive us for buying into the
world’s vision for what a blessed life looks like with all its comforts and its
temptation to focus on ourselves. Strengthen our faith to trust your promises
as we wait for the kingdom of heaven to reach its fullness in our lives and in
the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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