(Matthew 5:1-12)
Part 3
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.” Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”-Matthew 5:3-12
We learned last week the about the blessing of being poor in spirit, mournful over sin, living meek and humble lives, and pursuing God’s righteousness. Let’s look at the remaining four attitudes that invite the blessing of God:
Matthew 5:7: "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Mercy is an expression of God’s divine love towards us. Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve, while mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve. We never will truly understand the value of mercy, until we extend it to someone else.
Matthew 5:8: "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”
We need fan to flame a passion for holiness and purity. Moral purity and an undivided heart for God.
Matthew 5:9: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”
Jesus came to give men a peace like they had never experienced before. One way we accomplish this is through spreading the gospel, because God has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). In evangelism we make peace between man and the God whom they have rejected and offended. Reconciling men to God brought a level of peace that surpassed understanding. Jesus spoke peace and calmed storms and spoke peace and silenced troubled hearts. God has given us that same mission to teach and to live.
Matthew 5:10-12: “10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
It seems disingenuous to be happy about being persecuted. However, when we consider the outcome of our suffering we recognize the great reward we receive from our enduring:
“2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”-James 1:2-4
Did you hear that? The testing of our faith produces steadfastness. Jesus is shaping our souls. Who wants to live a blessed life? Then be poor in spirit fully trusting in God. Live repentant. Demonstrate meekness. Embrace righteousness. Show mercy. Pursue purity. Speak peace and endure persecution for the Lord’s sake.
Scott Burr
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