Scripture Nugget 1.21.2017
Scripture Read – Matthew 5-7
Nugget Matthew 5:1-11
“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.’”
Devotional thought: Jesus, Son of God, teaches crowds of people. Jesus teaches those who are listening about life in the Kingdom of God, a life it is possible to enter now, in the present. It is a place of values that are so much bigger than any one person. On this day, the day after a presidential inauguration in our country, I think it is a wise and prudent move for all to consider who teaches us and what he teaches. This is not a message of right or left, conservative vs liberal but one of living inside or outside the boundaries of holiness and righteousness. Boundaries God defines and sets. The end of verse 11 says, “on my account”. The my is Jesus. Let’s all take a moment and assess on whose account we live, Christ’s or our/my/your own. There is a place for all in the Kingdom, however we neither define the boundaries or values of the Kingdom. Ours is to choose to enter in and live abundantly. The alternative is to live outside, selfish, angry, rebellious and in-complete. God’s values versus those defined by every single individual. Blessed are those who live in unity with Christ.