Devotion:
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Read Matthew 5:1-12.
The world teaches us that we are blessed when we have power, material possessions, success in our careers, perfect families, excellent health, and so on. Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount by turning the world’s standards upside down. It is true that the things the world offers may give us a degree of happiness, but that happiness is totally dependent upon our circumstances. When Jesus says the word “blessed,” he is referring to a kind of joy that is insulated from the happenstance of our circumstances and is whole because it is centered in faith in Christ.
I see in this passage two general groups who are blessed…those who grieve, are persecuted, poor in spirit and those who are focused on following Christ…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, are peacemakers, and are pure in heart. Difficulties in life bring the faithful believer even closer to Christ, and we are blessed in that personal relationship. Sometimes we mistakenly view our reward for following Christ only as being blessed in life after death, but these beatitudes teach us that following Christ blesses us in this life, regardless of our often difficult situations. Eternal life begins now!
Personal Worship Option:
Almighty God, thank you for the blessings you pour upon us. Help me to fill the role of peacemaker, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and all the characteristics Jesus desires for me. Enable me to draw closer to Christ when I mourn, am criticized, or am poor in spirit. Amen.
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