Matthew chapter 5 beautifully describes the blessings from heaven, open to all. The Kingdom of God, with its abundant blessings, is not exclusive. It welcomes those who are poor in spirit, the mourners and the meek.
Jesus urges us to consider the diverse range of people this great kingdom embraces. As you read, rejoice in the fact that you, too, can partake in this blessed kingdom.
If you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you are not just blessed; you’re also deeply satisfied. Do you know anyone who is striving for things to be right? The perfectionist, the high-minded, the never-quite-finished reformer, the unsatisfied workaholic who can’t just leave things alone? It’s not just the idea of spiritual or religious righteousness.
Instead, it’s right action stemming from right motives and mindsets done the right way at the right time and place. And, if any of these things are not exactly right, it’s all wrong. These can be the most difficult to satisfy, and yet, in this kingdom, even the highest discontent is fed to being complete.
The contrast here is that those who are hungry will be fattened, and those who thirst will be quenched.
Our attention then turns to those who show mercy to others. Jesus promises mercy to those who grant it to others. At the core of service is helping those who can do nothing in return.
Are you seeing those who are unseen by the world? Are you serving the needs that you can attend to? If you see a need, you should meet it — a wonderful motto to live by. Receive mercy. Give mercy.
The pure in heart will see God. What a kingdom! I feel we are often encouraged to be duplicitous, shady or at least invulnerable in this society, yet the single-minded and focused in one direction gets to see God.
Jesus set his eyes directly on the cross because He knew His mission and beheld His father, unlike anyone else. We, too, have this as an option. We must remember that in this life, there is no constant righteousness, only constant repentance.
If you want a pure heart, you must cleanse your hands regularly. Confession is like the tear duct flushing dirt from the eyes. Confess, repent and forgive to cleanse your heart daily. When you do, you see God everywhere.
The peacemakers are called sons of God. Don’t get confused. It’s not the peacekeepers called children of God but those who make peace. The only way to do that is to run toward the messes.
When there is conflict, someone must stand in the middle and try to reconcile. This person is often the most hated because it may seem they are sticking their nose where they have no place, but it’s the most needed place.
People find so many ways to hate Jesus. They state He’s unmerciful or unkind, yet no one has ever gone so far to make things right for so many. Jesus placed His deity aside to hang between our sins and God’s wrath.
Today, when the Father sees us, He sees His son. And, when we look to the Father, we see Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for making peace for us. Now, we all can be sons of God.
Inevitably, those who are peacemakers will be persecuted. But remember, blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Rejoice! Have joy when you are seen worthy to be hated and punished for doing right.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not surprising that Christians should be called to suffer. In fact, it is a joy and a token of grace.”
Can we say that? Even persecution can be a blessing because it causes us to relate to Jesus in His suffering, and it brings a unique joy that only comes from standing for what is right.
What a blessed kingdom! What an invitation to all of us who feel we’re on the outside of all that is good! Jesus offers you entrance into the Kingdom of Blessings, no matter where you are. Receive it today, because He has great plans for all of us.
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