JESUS OFFERS US HIS BLESSINGS
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he offered his blessings to the people who followed him; knowing he would soon die on a cross for the salvation and blessing of all (Matthew 5:1-12: John 3:16). Now, He offers us his salvation, blessings, and instructions and help for receiving them.
BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT AND THE MEEK: FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT HEAVEN AND EARTH.
Poor in spirit and meekness may be seen as characteristics of those who are humble.
Jesus give an example of one who is humble in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector:
Both went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”The tax collector simply said, “ God, have mercy on me a sinner.” Jesus said, the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee. “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14).
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN: FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). The Word of God tells us, If we suffer for his sake, “we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor” (Psalm 21:21). For the Lord satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9).
“The desire of the righteous will be granted” (Proverbs 10:24).
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY
In speaking on being merciful, Jesus tells us a parable: He said 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.
In teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus told them to recognize that Our Father in heaven “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors’ (Matthew 6:12). We ought to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
We may feel some grievous wrongs against us are impossible to forgive. But what is impossible with man is not impossible with God (Matthew 19:26). if we ask God, our helper the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of Jesus Christ and his atoning for our sins that deserves eternal death, is able to help and strengthen us to forgive all others from our heart (John 14:15-17; Philippians 4:13).
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
Opposite 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 THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Jesus said: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12).
Those who oppose you because of your sharing what you know about the Lord may be people on your job, at school, at home or elsewhere. For the spiritual enemy of their souls may have blinded them to the sacrificial love and saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who died for all on a cross (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 4:4).
However, the Lord tells his believers to pray for unbelievers and all people, that they may come to know him, be saved and be blessed (1 Timothy 2:1-6). Jesus died for the sins of all who believe: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus Christ also gave all his believers the Holy Spirit to guide and help them in receiving salvation and all his promised blessings (John 14:15-17).
“And now the prize awaits [believers]—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
