Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
The Beatitudes seem quite odd. They seem to erect standards that we cannot attain and offer gifts that are beyond our reach. The Beatitudes become much clearer when we realize that they are all about our relationship with Jesus Christ and how it impacts our lives. The first four Beatitudes specifically address our relationship with Jesus. The remainder of the Beatitudes address how our lives will change when we accept Our Savior.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit" speaks to how far we fall short of the glory of God without His Son's redemption. "Blessed are those that mourn" speaks to our need to express our sorrow for our sinful ways. "Blessed are the meek" speaks to our need to humble ourselves before Our Savior and accept the salvation that He offers us. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" speaks to our need to become new men and women in Christ.
When we have responded to the teachings of the first four Beatitudes by accepting Jesus as Our Savior, the character and actions in our lives become a reflection of the rest of the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. With Christ indwelling in us, we are able to be merciful, be pure of heart and be peacemakers. As a result, we will be persecuted for our righteousness in Christ. When all these things have happened, rejoice and be glad for our reward will be great.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing to us our great need in Our Savior, Jesus. We exalt the name of Jesus for it is through Him that we are given the kingdom of heaven. We pray, Lord, for the humility to recognize our filthy and condemned nature without the saving grace of the Cross. We ask that Your Holy Spirit will come along side of us and help us so that we will allow the power of the presence of Your Son in our lives to change how we serve You. May we receive the fullness of the blessings that are promised in the Beatitudes.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit" speaks to how far we fall short of the glory of God without His Son's redemption. "Blessed are those that mourn" speaks to our need to express our sorrow for our sinful ways. "Blessed are the meek" speaks to our need to humble ourselves before Our Savior and accept the salvation that He offers us. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" speaks to our need to become new men and women in Christ.
When we have responded to the teachings of the first four Beatitudes by accepting Jesus as Our Savior, the character and actions in our lives become a reflection of the rest of the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. With Christ indwelling in us, we are able to be merciful, be pure of heart and be peacemakers. As a result, we will be persecuted for our righteousness in Christ. When all these things have happened, rejoice and be glad for our reward will be great.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing to us our great need in Our Savior, Jesus. We exalt the name of Jesus for it is through Him that we are given the kingdom of heaven. We pray, Lord, for the humility to recognize our filthy and condemned nature without the saving grace of the Cross. We ask that Your Holy Spirit will come along side of us and help us so that we will allow the power of the presence of Your Son in our lives to change how we serve You. May we receive the fullness of the blessings that are promised in the Beatitudes.
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