BLESSED ARE…
Keywords 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1. Jesus’
audience (1-2)
Those who came or were brought to
Jesus were not the elite of society but the sick, marginalized, and demon
possessed. Jesus’ own disciples included fishermen
whose livelihoods depended on the whims of nature, a tax collector who sold his
dignity to the Roman oppressors, an angry political radical, and others. Those
who followed Jesus were the people whom Jesus loved and who needed to know that
God’s love doesn’t depend on human standards. As
Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount, he spoke to people such as these.
2.
Blessed are you (3-12)
Jesus understood the sorrow,
yearning, hunger, and injustice that the people were feeling. He didn’t, however, point blame or have
pity. Instead, Jesus said they are blessed. To be blessed is not something to
attain by our efforts, but it is a realization given by God. Even in our
struggles and longings, God is with us and will indeed fulfill our hope for
justice, righteousness, and kingdom glory.
Prayer
Lord, I repent of my privilege and
complacency. May I experience the blessed hunger and thirst for righteousness
that sees your kingdom come, even amid pains.
One Word You are blessed
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