If Not, Here’s What You Do
With the snow that we’ve had there has been a lot of shoveling to make paths through the snow. This gives a clear direction and makes our journey easier.
Jesus makes a path for us.
We can follow this path, or we can go tromp through the snow on our own.
Jesus lays out some instructions that will help us on the journey in the Sermon on the Mount. These are known as The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). Beatitudes are “blessed sayings” delivered by Jesus. In the beatitudes, Jesus stated several blessings, each beginning with the phrase, “Blessed are …” Each saying speaks of a blessing God will bestow on a person who exhibits these qualities.
The beatitudes introduce and set the tone for Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount by emphasizing humans’ humble state and God’s righteousness. Each beatitude depicts the ideal heart condition of a citizen of God’s kingdom. In this idyllic state, the believer experiences abundant spiritual blessings.
These declarations given to us by Jesus are like ‘If this, then that’.
They are conditional statements that set up a condition and then describe what happens if that condition is met. For instance, ‘If it rains, then the ground gets wet.’
The list of ‘if this, then thats’ given to us by Jesus are as follows:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(This is not about being sad or discouraged. It’s about being humble and realizing that we need God. We would have nothing and be nothing without Him.)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
(This is mourning over our sinfulness and repenting of those sins.)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
(This is being meek and submitting to God’s authority. The world wants us to believe nice guys finish last. It’s being like Jesus and showing gentleness and self-control.)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
(Hunger and thirst speak to the deep need and driving passion for what is right to God, not to our worldly wants. Righteousness is the quality of being right in God’s eyes.)
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
(We reap what we sow. We show mercy through forgiveness, kindness, and compassion toward others.)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
(Being pure of heart is being cleansed from within. It’s not an outward display of righteousness that others can see. It’s an inward holiness that only God can see.)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
(This is an inward peace. It’s a peace through Jesus. It’s not a worldly peace. There will always be conflict as long as Satan is here on earth.)
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Just as Jesus faced persecution, so will his followers. Those daring enough to openly live for Christ rather than hide their faith are genuine followers of Christ.)
Beatitude is supreme blessedness.
This is extreme happiness. A state of great joy. I don’t know about you, but I want extreme happiness.
Living out these declarations will lead to a blessed life. It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. But it is worth it.