One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--Ministry YearsSample

Blessed: The One who hints at heaven       

We all have things working against us when it comes to believing God. It was no different that day for the people who sat on the hillside overlooking the lake. They’d come to listen to the Teacher. He who was “the Word become flesh” had a way with words—drawing or repelling hearts like a magnet.   

Jesus’ ideas ran counter-culture—upside down to what most people think is important. His ideas confirm our suspicions that life is not what it should be nor what it will be. His “Sermon on the Mount” could have easily been called “What it will be like in heaven” because He describes what we look like when God’s will is done fully and completely in us. 

Picture Jesus standing there with His back to the Sea of Galilee and a sea of faces in front of Him, all eyes focused, leaning in. 

"Blessed are you;" He says, picking out the faces who believed He would come; faces He had in mind when He left heaven for the Cross.

“Blessed are you . . .” Listen closely to how Jesus’ describes who He is calling. They’re not the spiritual superheroes. They’re the ones who know they don’t have it all together but keep coming back for more of God. They’re the humble ones. The ones, though not perfect, know someday they will be. They’re the ones with undivided hearts for Him.

This is a glimpse of God’s kingdom on earth and what it looks like if we lived as if it was true—like Jesus did. Let it serve as a prayer for His will to be done in you.

Blessed are you, poor in spirit . . .   I   am gentle and humble in heart . . . Matthew 11:29.  Lord, create this heart in me.

Blessed are you when you are meek. . . He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. Isaiah 53:7 Lord, create this heart in me.

Blessed are the merciful . . . Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing. Luke 23:34 Lord, create this heart in me.

Blessed are the peacemakers . . .  For He Himself is our peace . . . Ephesians 2:14  Lord, create this heart in me.

Blessed are you when people insult you . . . They said, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself. Luke 23:35 Lord, create this heart in me.

You are the light of the world . . . Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 Lord, create this heart in me.

Eight blessings start as a window but become a mirror of who God is in the person of Jesus. He came to show us how it’s done and to invite us to join Him in the reality someday soon. 

Jesus said life on this side of heaven is hard, but oh, so much more meaningful if we choose to live as if we’re already there. 

Tomorrow: One on one with Jesus and an accused woman