As you are going through your week, be encouraged and reminded by the following:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-Jesus
These blessings are not just our future hope, but they are our present reality in Christ. Are they a present reality for you? Are you comforted and content? Are you satisfied and at peace? Do you see God? Do you approach Him as your heavenly Father?
Maybe the reason why we do not experience these blessings is because we are not humble. We are not poor in spirit. We do not mourn over our sin. We do not hunger and thirst for righteousness. We are not merciful to others. We are not pure in heart. We are not peacemakers.
See, the blessings of the Kingdom are for those who are in Christ. The way to exaltation and glory is the road of humiliation and selflessness. The way up is the way down. One must lose oneself in order to find oneself. One must lose it all in order to gain it all. One must be emptied in order to be full.
This Kingdom is Upside-Down. Have we laid ourselves down before the Lord this week? Have we humbled ourselves, knowing that we are spiritually bankrupt? Do we come before our Father clinging to His Son, our Savior?
See, we are able to be blessed, because Christ was the One cursed. Christ is the embodiment of all the Beatitudes, yet instead of receiving these blessings, he received the curse of the crucifixion. He was condemned in order that we may receive the blessings of the Kingdom.
Church, cling to Christ. Come in your helplessness. Come in your weakness. Come out of your sin and shame. And receive the blessings of the Kingdom that is found in Christ.
Hope to see you at our Romans study on Friday nights @7:30pm. If not, see you all on Sunday for our Sabbath worship. Pray for one another.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
Image source: www.dhefc.com