JESUS OFFERS US HIS BLESSINGS
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he offered his blessings to the people who followed him (Matthew 5:1-12). He offers these same blessings today to all of us who can receive them:
BLESSED ARE THE HUMBLE THEY SHALL BE EXALTED
The humble–poor in spirit, who mourn, are meek—they shall possess the kingdom of heaven, be comforted, and inherit the earth.
Those who are humble are more like the tax collector than the Pharisee in the Bible, who went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people.” The tax collector simply said, “ God, have mercy on me a sinner.” The Lord said, those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 18:9-14).
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL: FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY
All have sinned and deserve death; but God has forgiven those of us who have repented and believed the atoning blood of his Son Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23; 6:23; John 3:16). As our heavenly Father has forgiven us our trespasses, he requires us as his children to forgive others who trespass against us (Matthew 6:12).
Jesus tells us about a servant who was forgiven all his debts by his master. But when this servant found one of his fellow servants who owed him, he had his fellow servant thrown into jail because he could not pay on the spot. The Lord expects us to forgive our brother or sister from our heart; as he has forgiven us. (Matthew 18:21-35).
Some wrongs against us may be hard to forgive; nevertheless, if we ask God, he will help us to forgive (1 John 5:14). Some things may impossible for man; yet, there is nothing impossible with God (Matt 19:26).
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD
Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
The pure in heart are those who love not only in appearance; but those who truly love the Lord with all their heart, and their neighbor as themselves (Mark 12:30-31).
The lord saw Nathaniel as a person in whom there is no deceit” (John 1:47). He saw David as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 13:22).
We should ask the Lord as the Psalmist did: “Create within in me a clean heart” (Psalm 51:10).
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD
Opposites of peacemakers are troublemakers like gossipers and backbiters. They have tongues that are set on fire of hell. They may use their tongues to praise God and to curse others. This should not be. (James 3:6-10).
As children of God, the Bible tells us to “encourage one another and build up one another (I Thessalonians 5:11).
BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN PEOPLE SHALL REVILE AND PERSECUTE YOU FOR THE LORD’S SAKE
There may be people on you job, at school, at home or elsewhere, who oppose or are blind the gospel that you proclaim of Jesus Christ.
The Lord says, when they revile and persecute you for his sake, rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
