Reading With the People of God #11 BlessedSample

Focus of the month: (The Beatitudes)

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

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

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

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

- Matthew 5:3-12

The Difficult Side of Grace

These are some of the most challenging verses in the Bible. The original intent of the Law was to limit punishment to equitable justice to fit the crime. Later this became an excuse for personal vengeance and different penalties between classes of people.

Retaliatory justice is not to be practiced by the citizens of the new kingdom being introduced by Jesus. We are to leave vengeance up to the LORD (Deuteronomy 32:35, quoted many times in the NT). The principle that guides Christian ethics is being perfect in God’s eyes (5:48) by following the example of Jesus.

There are two types of grace that God offers. Like rain, health, and prosperity are given to the just and the unjust we see how God’s common grace blesses even the undeserving. In uncommon grace we understand that God extends His grace even to His enemies (Romans 5:10.) From those who misused His Word, reviled and persecuted Him some were offered grace and mercy and even a place with Him in heaven in Christ.

As recipients of both His common and uncommon grace, we are called to extend grace to others, even as God extended grace to us in Jesus. In doing things contrary to our nature we are exhibiting the nature of Christ who set aside his rights and privileges to be obedient to God (Philippians 2:6-8.) Let us recall the blessings on the meek and the merciful in the passage called the Beatitudes.

* Devotional primer contributed by Jinet Troost