Hello everyone,
Today I'd like to begin a series of messages inspired by what people often refer to as "The Beatitudes," a series of declarations of blessedness found in Matthew chapter 5.
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
"4Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5: 1-12
But today, before we go deeper into each verse, there's something I'd like to point out. As I read this verse, I notice a sort of pattern - it's the pattern we ourselves evidence when we are saved. We begin humble and poor in spirit - broken and at the end of our ropes - when we cry out to Jesus. It is then that we receive the kingdom of heaven. This is followed by mourning as we realize that it was our sin that held Him to that cross, but in our mourning we are comforted as He puts His arms around us and whispers reassurances into our ears. Then comes our time of meekness, when we are humbled and admit that we are absolutely nothing without Christ - and it is we who are humble, not the haughty, prideful rulers of the world, who will in the end inherit the earth when Christ takes up His throne.
After meekness, then comes something amazing: a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and this yearning will be satisfied completely. Whereas the pleasures of the world are fleeting and never satisfy, when we seek for righteousness and to know God, our hearts will be satisfied. Next comes mercy. When others wrong us, we are quick to forgive for we know that their sin against us cannot hold a candle to our sin against God and the wrongs we have committed, which we ourselves have been forgiven of by the blood of the Lamb.
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28
Next comes a pure heart. As we seek the things of God, avoiding the things which defile us and taking in the things which purify us and build us up, our hearts are purified - and with a pure heart, we see God.
Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
As we continue on down our road, our souls yearn for peace. Not only do we seek to "live at peace with all men" (Romans 12:18), but our desire is for peace between God and our fellow man, and we seek to be peacemakers and ambassadors for Christ to those around us. With this desire to make peace comes the title of "sons and daughters of God." And of course, as we put ourselves on the line in order to spread this gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15), there will be those who will persecute us for this - and this brings us full circle, as we are reminded that "ours is the kingdom of heaven," and in this we can rejoice.
Over the next few days, we will dig a little deeper for each of these "beatitudes," but today, I pray that wherever we are along our respective journeys, that we will rejoice and be glad for the blessings we have received in the Lord.
Blessings,
Andrew
