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Aug.04.04: Light for the Day - "Beatitude"
-- Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
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In His characteristic way Jesus was saying something quite shocking and revolutionary to His listener with these words, "Happy are the meek." He was saying something quite the opposite of our modern concept of the way to happiness. We say,
"Happy are the clever, for they shall inherit the admiration of their friends";
"Happy are the aggressive, for they shall inherit a career";
"Happy are the rich, for they shall inherit a world of friends and a house full of modern gadgets."
Jesus did not say, "Be meek and you shall inherit the earth." He, more than anyone else, knew that meekness was a gift of God, a result of rebirth. Jesus was not issuing a command in this Beatitude nor saying, "You ought to be meek, that is the way to live." No! He was saying that if we want to find the secret of happiness, that if we want to enjoy living, then "meekness" is a basic key.
-- Billy Graham
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-- Matthew 5:1-12
1 One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with His disciples and sat down to teach them.
2 This is what He taught them:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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Jesus began His sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God’s way of living usually contradicts the world’s. If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.
There are at least four ways to understand the Beatitudes:
(1) They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.
(2) They contrast Kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary).
(3) They contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the real faith that Christ demands.
(4) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new Kingdom. These Beatitudes are not multiple choice—pick what you like and leave the rest. They must be taken as a whole. They describe what we should be like as Christ’s followers.
-- Life Application Bible
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-- Psalms 37:11
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
-- Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
-- Psalms 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
-- Psalms 149:4
For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation.
-- Isaiah 66:1,2
1 This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Could you ever build Me a temple as good as that? Could you build a dwelling place for Me?
2 My hands have made both heaven and earth, and they are Mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! "I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.
-- Isaiah 13:11
I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.
-- Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
-- James 4:6,10
6 But He gives us more Grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." ( Prov. 3:34)
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
-- Ephesians 4:1-5
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit -
just as you were called to one hope when you were called -
5 one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
-- 1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.
10 For the Scriptures say, "If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil."
(Ps 34:12-16.)
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t be afraid and don’t worry.
15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
16 But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
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