PUTTING JESUS FIRST BRINGS HIS BLESSINGS
Matthew 5:1,2 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to
teach them, saying: This is what is called the beatitudes. It is a teaching that if followed will bring blessings.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The reason that those people that are depressed and down emotionally will be blessed is because they need Jesus to help them. When they call on the Lord for help not only will he bless them, but he will be glorified doing it. Others will notice the change in that person, and then they will have a chance to help others trust in Jesus.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will will be comforted. These people need the help of Jesus because their heart is broken. People that never have a broken heart will not have a need and never call on Jesus. They will never know the wonderful comfort and hope that he and the Holy Spirit will bring them.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Those that are aggressive will not seek the Lord. They will live a life of bullying people and taking advantage of them, and in the end at the judgment the Lord will punish them. God will reward all that the meek has had taken from them.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. God will reward them for this because this is the way of the Lord. Those who could care less about being righteous and even enjoy sinfulness, the Lord will bring sorrow to their lives as well as the effects of the sin that they have brought upon themselves.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be sown mercy. Not only will God reward those who are merciful, but those who have been shown mercy will most often return it as well.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see the face of God. Those that are not pure in heart will not want to see the face of God, because they know that only God’s judgment will come against them.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God. God does not delight in fighting and all the problems that go with it. Those that cause fighting and discord will have it come back on them.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. God sees the injustice and will reward the righteous, but in return he will bring his wrath and judgment on those that persecute the righteous. Sometimes it is not easy to be on the other side with the need of being blessed. No one likes the idea of being sad, depressed, persecuted and so on, but there is the consolation that if this is what it takes to learn we can trust in Jesus and know him in a personal way we have still gained on life.
Mark 8:36,37 says, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Most people live their life for the here and now. While that may be temporarily pleasing, the long term effects can be disastrous. There will be many people that will stand before the Lord on judgment day with their heads hung down in shame, because they valued the things of this world more than they did in getting right with the Lord through Jesus. As Solomon points out in Ecclesiastes everything is utterly meaningless that we gain here on earth when we leave everything to stand before the Lord. He points out that there is a time for everything. What we need to keep in mind is that Jesus needs to be the joy and to love of our heart. Everything that this life may bring us should only be seen in light of his glory and to glorify him. God doesn’t resent us having the wonderful things of life. All he asks is that we love him the gift giver more than the gifts. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” When we do this it is a win, win situation.
Prayer: Lord, please help us to put you first in our heart and life. Please help us to always be a blessing to you and others and not a curse. We ask this in Jesus name.
