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Beatitudes

"and he (Jesus) began to teach them. He said: 
'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.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:2‭-‬12 NIV

Do any of those tug at your heart? Do any of them hit home? Haven't we all experienced at least one of them?

I wonder what the audience at the time heard and felt. They had no idea the persecution that was ahead for Jesus or for those that would later be known as Christians. They had no idea that love and peace would reign supreme as their King ascended to His throne.

The promises of these blessings are powerful and bold. They speak of our eternal existence with our creator and the fundamental nature of His kingdom. They encourage us to persevere through the troubles of this world. They point to a forever with our Savior which lies ahead. 

This list is known as the beatitudes. Miriam Webster dictionary defines beatitude as "a state of utmost bliss". They define bliss as "complete happiness." I love those definitions. Beatitude is a state of utmost, complete happiness.  

Jesus wants us to be completely happy and we will be completely happy in His kingdom of heaven. Until then we will have difficult times. 

Our world needs us to embrace Jesus' words in the beatitudes. It needs us to seek and share this state of utmost bliss and complete happiness. In the darkness, we rest in these blessings and our light shines through. In the strife, pain, and hurt we stand differently because of the eternal blessings from Jesus. 

I'd like to challenge all who are brave to read the beatitudes (including myself) daily for the next 7 days. Make a commitment. Read it at the time you are most awake and alert. If your a morning lover or night owl, make time each day to read it. I encourage you to take quite time with the passage. Fight the urge to just read it to cross off something on the "to do" list. But, REALLY READ and reflect on it daily. Let God stir in you through His blessings.  

We can't change the world. But we can change ourselves, our perspective, and be the light for those around us. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt
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