Weekly Devotional 7-8-19 “Blessed are those who ….”
Last week we began considering Jesus’ address to those who had begun to follow Him early on in His ministry. Knowing the struggles that lay before them, their battle with their old natures, the world, and Satan, He laid out for them certain blessings that would be theirs if they committed to His kingdom, the kingdom of heaven. These blessings would not be automatic, but would result from a true commitment to Him and His kingdom. He began by saying to them, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). By way of explanation, we turned to John Walvoord’s The Bible Knowledge Commentary and John MacArthur’s The MacArthur New Testament Commentary and learned that to be “poor in spirit” is for a person to recognize his spiritual poverty apart from God. It is to see oneself as one really is; lost, hopeless, and helpless toward God. Having established that principle in their minds He gave them eight additional principles of His kingdom; “Blessed are they that mourn”, “Blessed are the meek”, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”, “Blessed are the merciful”, “Blessed are the pure in heart”, “Blessed are the peacemakers”, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake”, and, “Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matthew 5:4-11).
Now, to be sure each of the mentioned blessings is produced by the Holy Spirit. They cannot be achieved by self-effort, but they are principles that must be worked out. The apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians wrote, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). The Christian is to be responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and live lives that are pleasing to God. Paul goes on to elaborate on this as he continued with his encouragement. (See Philippians 6:13-16).
Having pronounced the blessing of those who are poor in spirit Jesus added, “4Blessed are those who mourn”, for they shall be comforted.5Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:4-12).
Jesus said that the reward of these attitudes ultimately would be heaven, but in a real sense the pronounced blessings are a present condition. What happens in the life of a committed Christian is different than those of the world. It is even different than the nominal Christian. A half-hearted commitment will not produce much, but a whole-hearted commitment to our Lord and His kingdom will reap the fruit of His Spirit which is; “22blove, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22a). Paul adds, “24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25).
Over a period of time, the disciples to whom Jesus originally spoke (the disciples of Matthew 5) would come to know the truth of His statements and those truths should register with us. We Christians of today have the testimony of church history and we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to encourage us in our walk.
Consider once again the rewards, immediate and future, of all committed followers of Jesus and His kingdom. “3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Blessed are we if these things possess us.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
All Scriptures usage is from the NKJB