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 Beatitudes, viewed as a sort of an encapsulation of Jesus' ministry, have led some to describe Jesus as a social reformer. Jesus' message was viewed as good news by those economically oppressed by Roman taxation and who in time would be persecuted for believing that the crucified and risen Jesus was God's Messiah.
Like the book of Revelation, the Beatitudes were encouragements to keep the faith despite adversity. The believer’s day would come. Christ's followers were discouraged from trying to seize the kingdom by violence, since Jesus was not a revolutionary threatening the empire.
The "kingdom of heaven," as Matthew calls it, would come in due time. So in the face of trials, they could rejoice while waiting. The Lord was, is and will always be, faithful.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you have promised to be with your church to the end of the age. Be with us now also, for your mercy's sake. Amen.