A Blessed Message Part 4

A BLESSED MESSAGE PART 4

Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The word blessed is used 9 times in this passage. Blessed means to be well off or happy. When we hear well off, many times we think of worldly things such as money and possessions. But the well off being spoken of here is inwardly, it speaks of one’s senses or inward feelings.

In verse 6 we are told that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. The word hunger means to crave, and thirst implies to be thirsty for righteousness, and shall be filled means to be gorged or to be satisfied. I am afraid, today, many in church are craving other things than righteousness and are never filled or satisfied. Many are more concerned about a meal than the Master. We also find many are more concentrated on fellowship, more than following the Savoir. While meals and fellowship are important to the life of the local church, they should never take superiority over our following Jesus and growing spiritually. What are you hungry for?

In verse 7 we are told the merciful will obtain mercy. If you show Christian compassion you will receive compassion. We (meaning me as well) need to show more compassion to our fellowman, Have you ever been accused of being too compassionate? We need to show compassion but not be an easy mark for those that would use our compassion to enable their wickedness. I am reminded of a verse that would apply to mercy. It is in the book of Luke. Where it speak of measure, would it not apply to mercy as well?

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Have a great day