Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading

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January 25, 2023
Scripture Reading
Matthew 5:1–12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. hrist’s Beatitudes so that I may forever experience the bliss and joy of a blessed life – the Kingdom of Heaven. (NRSV)

Reflection

Jesus began his famous Sermon on the Mount with these statements—Beatitudes. The dictionary defines beatitude as blessedness, grace, bliss, supreme happiness, and divine rapture, among other joys. Rather than how one should behave, Jesus is describing what it looks like to be truly blessed, with a fully happy and wholly satisfied life. This is Jesus’ preamble to the most powerfully important sermon ever preached.

Yet these Beatitudes seem a bit counterintuitive, even countercultural. The idea that being meek, in poor spirit, persecuted, and the like will make you happy and feel blessed is, at first look, hard to grasp. But reading deeper, we begin to understand more about these blessings. For example, meek is not weak but self-controlled, strong, and disciplined. And persecuted for having Christian faith will certainly yield heavenly reward.

In fact, Jesus is saying that if you live the way of these Beatitudes, the kingdom of heaven will be yours. So heaven, among other things, is “inheriting the earth, being comforted, being filled with righteousness, being granted mercy,” which sounds really good when thinking of it in this way. The Beatitudes paint a picture of someone who truly follows Christ’s teachings—this is how true Christians look! What a glorious way for Jesus to launch and frame his famous sermon.

Prayer

Lord, may your Spirit be always with me, helping me to embody the qualities of Christ’s Beatitudes so that I may forever experience the bliss and joy of a blessed life—the kingdom of heaven.

Written by Ken Gaines, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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