Matthew 5:3-10
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.”
This past week we began a new series on the Sermon on the Mount, the words of Jesus found in Matthew 5-7. Looking at the introduction of the sermon, we talked about the Beatitudes, these sayings of Jesus. They read like prophetic, wisdom literature found in Psalms or Proverbs. They call us as believers to a different life, to build a different kind of kingdom.
Now, it’s time for your homework assignment. I encourage you to reflect and think about your own sayings, your own “beatitudes.” What would the sound like?
Blessed are the ________, for they ________.
Blessed are those who ________, for they ________.
Blessed are the ________, for theirs is ________.
Fill in the blanks. And be honest. We have to start with our current, personal definitions of “blessed” before the Holy Spirit can help us rewrite them. It’s ok to realize that your own “beatitudes” are vastly different than those Jesus spoke to his disciples and others listening. It’s ok to realize where you are…it’s staying there that is a problem.
Just as David wrote in Psalm 51, our prayer should be “create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Through our willingness to be poor in spirit, recognizing our need for a Savior, and the guidance and work of the Holy Spirit, we too can begin to shift our beatitudes to look more like Jesus.
Prayer: God, help us build and live a lifestyle to match the Beatitudes we claim by calling ourselves Christian. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Grace and peace,
Aaron
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