Devotionals for July 29, 2024
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READ
Matthew 5:3-10
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
REFLECT
A first-century follower of the Messiah would have felt differently than we do listening to these words. In our Western world, which has been greatly influenced by Christian virtue ethics, the idea of the underdog, meek, unassuming hero is far more intuitive. Spiderman is just a kid. Batman is an orphan. Luke Skywalker is a farmer from a remote planet. You get the picture. We have a mental box to put the image of the unlikely hero. But in the first century, the deeply held assumptions about power were different. The “blessed” were those who conquered others through force, not the “meek.”
The persecutors, in demonstrating power, were more likely to be considered those on whose side God (or the gods) was on. Success, advancement, etc. That was power. That was blessedness. So, when Jesus tells the people that it is the other way around. That power is really to be made low, He is foreshadowing a future world where that is precisely how it will work. One day, when His kingdom has come on earth, it won’t be those with all the weapons and money that hold the power, but those who belong to Christ and have taken up their cross. This great reversal of power also foreshadows the means by which Jesus was going to destroy the powers of evil through the death of a slave. The cross should remind us to think about victory and power differently than the world does.
The persecutors, in demonstrating power, were more likely to be considered those on whose side God (or the gods) was on. Success, advancement, etc. That was power. That was blessedness. So, when Jesus tells the people that it is the other way around. That power is really to be made low, He is foreshadowing a future world where that is precisely how it will work. One day, when His kingdom has come on earth, it won’t be those with all the weapons and money that hold the power, but those who belong to Christ and have taken up their cross. This great reversal of power also foreshadows the means by which Jesus was going to destroy the powers of evil through the death of a slave. The cross should remind us to think about victory and power differently than the world does.
APPLY
Q: How does Jesus redefine power and blessedness in this passage?
Q: Where do you need to adopt an attitude of meekness?
Q: How does this passage relate to discipleship?
Q: Where do you need to adopt an attitude of meekness?
Q: How does this passage relate to discipleship?
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Lord, you have shown us infinite kindness. Help us to model you, reflecting your glory to the world that needs you. Amen.
Lord, you have shown us infinite kindness. Help us to model you, reflecting your glory to the world that needs you. Amen.