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
To be in any of the circumstances or to display any of the characteristics and behaviors Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount calls “blessed” is not often rewarded in our world. Instead, it is more likely to be the reverse. Too often people are in situations where to do the right thing takes courage and can result in personal disadvantage or harm. Yet, if the pronouncement of these blessings points to life the way Jesus intends for it to be, then where do we stand? What does Christ’s calling mean for us? With whom will we stand in solidarity?
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was asked if God was on his side. “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side,” said the President, “my greatest concern is to be on God’s side.” To be on God’s side may not show up in our bank accounts or raise our status in the eyes of this world, but we can trust Jesus’ word that we are and forever will be blessed.
Prayer
Lord, you draw near to the suffering and oppressed. Help us to know your presence when life is doing its best to beat us down. And help us to stand with others who long for justice, hope, and mercy. Amen.
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