Blessed are the Merciful

…for they will be shown mercy.

In a culture that promotes getting even and getting ahead, Jesus casts a vision for the countercultural way of the Kingdom where people show mercy to one another. Mercy has multiple layers. It includes forgiveness when someone has wronged you, not using your power over someone else when you could harm them, and simply showing compassion on someone in a place of need. What might it look like for followers of Jesus to show mercy in the midst of a ruthless world?

One of the fears we have in showing mercy is that we will appear weak and get walked all over. Of course, we must remember that Jesus has shown us mercy first by seeing our need and having compassion, forgiving us of our rebellion, then using his power not to destroy us but to rescue. In fact, it seems as if he gives up his power and becomes weak as he is killed on the cross, but that is precisely how he displays his power as he chooses to forgive at great cost, then overcomes death and the grave through resurrection! Mercy is not weakness… it is just the opposite.

READ

“Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.”
— Jesus, from Matthew 5:7

Take some time to read this verse a few times over. Then, listen to the audio below for a short 6 minute message. Finally, use the questions at the end to reflect on this verse.

LISTEN

REFLECT

  • What are the different aspects of mercy?

  • Think of a time when someone else showed you mercy. What did you experience?

  • How has God shown you mercy? Do you really believe He has?

  • Who in your life does Jesus want you to show mercy to? Why is it so difficult? Pray for the Spirit to give you the strength to be merciful.

BONUS!

My sons and I made a video years ago retelling the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18, which was referenced in today’s reflection. You can watch it here:

Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

…for they will be filled.

Ever been really hungry or thirsty? It’s not a great feeling, is it? But that moment when you finally take a bite or get a sip of water is incredible. What would it be like if we had a constant supply so that we were never hungry or thirsty again?

Jesus is, of course, offering this to us for a much greater need than our physical hunger and thirst. He offers to fill our righteousness - and to make the whole world right. Is that something we truly hunger for though? Is that really what we are after? What is righteousness anyway and how does Jesus satisfy it for us? Our need for righteousness goes deeper than we realize. In fact, every desire and longing we have is pointing us to our deeper hunger and thirst for both us and the world to be made right before God. Take the time to examine those desire today as you read, listen, and reflect.

READ

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.”
— Jesus, from Matthew 5:6

Take some time to read this verse a few times over. Then, listen to the audio below for a short 6 minute message. Finally, use the questions at the end to reflect on this verse.

LISTEN

REFLECT

  • What does it mean to be righteous? Is this something you can attain through your own efforts?

  • What are some of the desires you currently have? What are some of the unwanted desires you often find within you?

  • Take some time to examine those desires. Ask the question: What is the deeper longing this desire is pointing me to?

  • Allow that desire to expose your need for Jesus to make you and all things right. Pray for the kingdom to come and the Father’s will be done on earth and in your heart.

Blessed are the Humble

…for they will inherit the earth.

Ever heard the phrase, ‘pride comes before the fall’? (Did you know that comes from Proverbs 16 by the way?) What does it mean to fight against pride and arrogance and come to a posture of humility? Why does Jesus promise the earth to the humble?

This phrase is actually a quote from Psalm 37 and is a theme woven throughout the biblical narrative. Those who were given the earth in the beginning of creation lost their true connection with it when pride entered their hearts. The humble state they were created in was forced to recognize that they needed God to show them what was good and not good, but the lie that they could do this in their own power is what brought destruction to the earth. Jesus invites into his restoration of the earth and teaches us what the kingdom is meant to look like.

READ

“Blessed are the humble,
for they will inherit the earth.”
— Jesus, from Matthew 5:5

Take some time to read this verse a few times over. Then, listen to the audio below for a short 6 minute message. Finally, use the questions at the end to reflect on this verse.

LISTEN

REFLECT

  • In a world that teaches us to posture and take charge, how can we be a countercultural community which displays a healthy humility?

  • In what areas of your life are you tempted to display pride or arrogance?

  • What areas of your life have exposed your need, humility, or lowliness?

  • Partnering with God to care for His earth means a recognition that we need His power to do His work. Take a moment to confess that to Him and ask where He wants you to be at work.

Blessed are those who Mourn

…for they will be comforted.

Happy are those who are sad? This statement seems contradictory at first glance. It also does not seem to provide much comfort for those facing true grief.

Remember this is not a standalone verse, but a part of a whole. Those who long for the kingdom will mourn that the world is separated from it. If they look deeper, they will also recognize that brokenness exists within their own heart. When we see that need and are broken by it, we can then turn to the one who reconciles and restores and find comfort from the one who invites us back into the kingdom.

READ

“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
— Jesus, from Matthew 5:4

Take some time to read this verse a few times over. Then, listen to the audio below for a short 6 minute message. Finally, use the questions at the end to reflect on this verse.

LISTEN

REFLECT

  • What causes you to mourn?

  • Where do you turn for comfort?

  • Is there anything in your own heart or mind which grieves you? When was the last time your thoughts or actions caused you to mourn over your own sin?

  • Take a moment to feel the weight of your own rebellion against the kingdom. Then, remember the promise that those who mourn over that will be comforted by the King.

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Each Wednesday over the next two months we’ll journey through one of the nine beatitudes in Matthew 5. Beatitudes comes from the Latin word for blessing - or a deep sense of happiness and fulfillment. This is not a list for us to check off in order to attain the blessed life, but statements Jesus made about what life in the Kingdom is like.

Each blessed statement is followed with a reason and the 1st and 8th bookend with the same reason - “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Jesus is teaching that all blessing is found within his kingdom. The 6 other statements in between describe what the kingdom life looks like - being filled, comforted, seeing God, etc. Finally, there is a ‘bonus’ 9th statement of the blessed, which reminds us that though Jesus has already brought the Kingdom in part, it is not yet here in full - but to hold on for hope until it comes.

READ

Let’s start with the first blessed statement:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
— Jesus, from Matthew 5:3

Take some time to read this verse a few times over. Then, listen to the audio below for a short 5 minute message. Finally, use the questions at the end to reflect on this verse.

LISTEN

REFLECT

  • What does poor in spirit mean to you?

  • What currency do you attempt to buy your way into the Kingdom with? (knowledge, works, status, etc.)

  • What fears might be in the way of you letting that currency go and recognizing you are in complete need of Jesus to heal you?

  • Take a moment to acknowledge to the LORD that you are poor in spirit. Remember the promise that comes with that acknowledgement.