Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek,

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

What are some of the words that come to mind when you think of meekness? Some might be: weak, soft, gentle, quiet, reserved etc. You see, our modern view of meekness is very different than what Jesus was teaching in the third Beatitude. True meekness as described by Jesus is not natural. This is not something you are born with or that develops. It can only come from God. We need to understand and remember that all of the Beatitudes are not things we can do on our own but are a product or result of Jesus changing us from sinner to saint.

Meekness is power under control. Meekness is being able to control ourselves no matter if we are right and wrong. True meekness shows itself in how we deal with people and circumstances in our lives by not allowing them to take control of us. Meekness shows itself when we know that we have nothing to defend in ourselves but Christ. When we are meek, we know that we have everything we need in Jesus and will not be frustrated by the things of the world. Contentment is found in knowing that God loves you and that is always good enough for this life.

Meekness has its root in the desire to be Christ-like in all areas of life. When you desire to be Christ-like, you quickly see that you do not need anything. This is why Jesus says the meek shall inherit the earth. When you are meek, you seek nothing for yourself and when you seek nothing for yourself, that’s when God gives you all things. We can look at this and think that God is going to give us whatever we want , that is wrong thinking. God is going to give us everything that we need. If God is our father and He controls all things, then He can give His kids whatever He wants, even the earth.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Jesus knows that sublime happiness is worth mourning or being poor in spirit. Try to describe in your best words what mourning is? How do you think people feel when they mourn? Jesus says that we will be blessed or happy when we mourn and that we will be comforted.
The mourning Jesus is talking about is an understanding of your sin. Jesus wants us to know that our sin is not a good thing. When we realize what sin is and why Jesus had to come and die, it will give us a reason to mourn. So why is there happiness in mourning over sin? We can be happy in this mourning because we know we need a savior. If you did not know you were sick and then ended up in the hospital unexpectedly, wouldn’t that bother you? But, if you knew you were sick before it got really bad and found out there was a remedy, you would be happy you could be healed.
When we realize we are sinners and then find the remedy, which is Jesus, we can be happy that our sin can be forgiven. Jesus says we can be comforted in our mourning because this life of sin will not last forever. If you look back at the very first Beatitude you will see the reward, which is the Kingdom of God. How exciting to know that our greatest comfort is being with God forever.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Matthew 5:3 Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy are the poor in spirit. Our world today does not teach that happiness and being poor can be connected. The world says that we should be looking ahead and to not be content with where we are. Jesus knows best, so we should see what it is He is telling us. Jesus’ teaching is showing us the way life is best lived. Life is best lived in obedience to God. So, when Jesus says that this life brings happiness we should desire to live it out.

Think about what your parents know about you. Who, other than God, knows you as well as they do? If they tell you something and show you that it will help you or make life better, you should listen up. So the God of the universe has a way for you to live. It should make us stop and listen to that way of life.

How do I live “poor in spirit” and find happiness there? Jesus is telling us that we need to empty ourselves of “us.” This means we need to look at our life and get rid of the places we think we know better than God. Jesus knows that we are proud people, that we have pride in our hearts about life. Jesus wants us to see that when we are empty of “us” He can fill us with Himself. There is no better way to live than by being filled with God’s Spirit. Think about the mistakes you make trying to do things your own way. God knows this about His creation. Jesus came so that we can be changed. He came as Servant to give His life, that we would have new life. Being poor in spirit allows God to fill us with His own self, and happiness is knowing that you can’t fix life all by yourself.

The Kingdom of God is getting God all the time. We are in His family. We can see him do amazing things now and forever. To get the Kingdom you have to give up your own kingdom and find yourself poor in spirit.