Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 5:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 5When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Verse 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
Verse 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Verse 4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Verse 5"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Verse 6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Verse 7"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Verse 8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Verse 9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Verse 10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Verse 11"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Verse 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Devotion
The “Super Bowl” is the annual ritual of superiority, the “grand-daddy” of events that ritualize an ultimate winner. There will be winners and losers on and off the field. Winners and losers among those so caught up in the ritual that their very identity hinges on the game outcome.
Jesus’ often chides the “winners” of life, and upholds and blesses the “losers.” The Beatitudes of Jesus speak clearly. Jesus lifts up those who are not #1 on the main streets of the world -- the passive, the hungering and thirsting, those who long for goodness in the world, those who struggle for peace, those who mourn, those who care deeply about others, those who are victims, those who lack many things in life. In God’s “super bowl,” it is these who are #1 to receive God’s blessing. More than any others, God blesses these “losers” ... even you and me.
Prayer
Lord, I’m not a good “loser.” I don’t like it when things don’t go my way. Send me your Spirit, God, so that I may see your blessing in all the things in life, especially those that don’t seem very good. Bless me along life’s way and help me to see the abundance of your grace in life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.