Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes
Today's Reading: Matthew 5:7
Jesus' most famous sermon took place on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. There is enough meat packed into the three brief chapters of Matthew 5-7 to sustain years of Bible Study. The passage begins with the Beatitudes, expressions of blessing. The principles here run counter to everything people instinctively believe in this world. We want to be rich but Jesus invoked blessings on the poor in Spirit - and on and on it goes.
Again, this week, read the entire passage daily, then give special focus to the highlighted passage.
Again, this week, read the entire passage daily, then give special focus to the highlighted passage.
When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.4 Blessed are those who mourn,for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the humble,for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called sons of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Through the Bible Readings: Esther 7-8, Acts 19:1–20, Psalm 87, Proverbs 18:11–13
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: Mercy that Moves
It is easy to misunderstand what being merciful means, at least in the kingdom of God - the Father seems to put a twist on everything, doesn't he. Mercy is not tolerating evil or accepting sin as normal and okay. It goes beyond that.
The first four Beatitudes had a clear progression. Those who recognize their spiritual poverty will mourn over their sin. This creates a humble spirit that causes us to be meek before God and before others. When we have repented of our sins and are humble before God, our hearts will fill with a hunger and thirst for the things of God, the righteousness of Christ.
The fifth through eighth Beatitudes build on these. The fifth beautitude, about being merciful, is a product of the first. When you are poor in spirit, you are merciful to others. When you mourn over sin, you become pure in heart. When you are meek, you become a peacemaker, instead of sowing strife. When you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you sometimes are persecuted because of righteousness.
Isn't it amazing how the Holy Spirit weaves these truths together?
Mercy, in God's word, is the act of sympathizing with people while also seeking to help them find real solutions for their sin. It is not simply pity, or empathy - those are important traits. Sometimes people see those of us who believe in Jesus as harsh and judgmental. Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them, even though their troubles were the result of their own sin. We must be moved by the suffering of sinners.
However, we cannot stop at sympathy and think we have fulfilled a biblical command. We must also show people how Christ can guide them to deal with their sin, how he can fix what is causing their pain. This often involves a commitment of time and love, but we must add actions to our pity.
Such merciful actions were not a part of many religions. Some believe in karma - if people are suffering they are getting what they deserve. In Acts, we see religious leaders dropping a few coins in the alms cup, but not lifting a finger to actually help those in need. We are called to an active mercy, a mercy that makes a difference in people's lives, a mercy that mimics Jesus! He saw people in need and felt compassion, and he ministered to them!
The first four Beatitudes had a clear progression. Those who recognize their spiritual poverty will mourn over their sin. This creates a humble spirit that causes us to be meek before God and before others. When we have repented of our sins and are humble before God, our hearts will fill with a hunger and thirst for the things of God, the righteousness of Christ.
The fifth through eighth Beatitudes build on these. The fifth beautitude, about being merciful, is a product of the first. When you are poor in spirit, you are merciful to others. When you mourn over sin, you become pure in heart. When you are meek, you become a peacemaker, instead of sowing strife. When you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you sometimes are persecuted because of righteousness.
Isn't it amazing how the Holy Spirit weaves these truths together?
Mercy, in God's word, is the act of sympathizing with people while also seeking to help them find real solutions for their sin. It is not simply pity, or empathy - those are important traits. Sometimes people see those of us who believe in Jesus as harsh and judgmental. Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them, even though their troubles were the result of their own sin. We must be moved by the suffering of sinners.
However, we cannot stop at sympathy and think we have fulfilled a biblical command. We must also show people how Christ can guide them to deal with their sin, how he can fix what is causing their pain. This often involves a commitment of time and love, but we must add actions to our pity.
Such merciful actions were not a part of many religions. Some believe in karma - if people are suffering they are getting what they deserve. In Acts, we see religious leaders dropping a few coins in the alms cup, but not lifting a finger to actually help those in need. We are called to an active mercy, a mercy that makes a difference in people's lives, a mercy that mimics Jesus! He saw people in need and felt compassion, and he ministered to them!
Father, may I have the kind of mercy that Jesus showed, a mercy that moves!
Think and Pray:
Are you ever like the religious leaders in Acts - giving a few coins in the alms cup so that you don't have to get your hands dirty?
What is the difference between mercy that does nothing and the kind of mercy that Jesus showed?
What is the difference between mercy that does nothing and the kind of mercy that Jesus showed?
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