Welcome to Day 9 of our 40 Day challenge! Matthew 5:1-16

(Catch up with us, with our reading list March, reading list for April,  and Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8)

Today we are in John 3:1-17:

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Matthew 5:1-16

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I can picture the group on the hill sitting before Jesus as I read this passage. They were not at the top of society. The “blessed” portions sound like He could be describing the people right there in front of Him. People desperate for hope, longing to feel loved and valued, and wanting to be a part of some bigger unknown that their hearts are drawn to.

I can also see those we serve in this group gathered with Jesus. Over the weekend, one of the moms at our Prayer House village stood and shared how precious Jesus is to her. She said that before knowing Him, she didn’t think there was a God for the poor. The gods she had been told about were for the winners of society, those at the top. But Jesus draws those in need and shows no favoritism to those at the top. In fact, we see that praise and blessings from the world can be hindrances to following Jesus.

On day 7, we saw Nicodemus come under the cover of night to Him. Nicodemus had authority and respect in his society. He had a lot to lose. Jesus is good news to everyone, but especially good news for those who aren’t winning, according to the world. Jesus is consistently reorienting us to the ways of His Kingdom, which are so different from the kingdoms of the world. We see that according to the ways of the world, power, strength, and wealth rule and win. But Jesus gives us nine blessings for nine types of people who wouldn’t be called blessed by society. I can see this passage as descriptive, not prescriptive. I don’t think it’s a to-do list. I think it’s a reorienting. Who really is in a better place in God’s Kingdom? It’s not who the world would have us think.

There are so many differences between the culture and mindset of those in the time of Jesus and those of us now, and it’s so rewarding to learn about them. There are even many cultural differences between those of us here in different areas of today! But even greater than all these differences are those between the Kingdom and the world.

Lord help me see with your Kingdom perspective and values, not those in my culture and not those of the world’s kingdoms.

Options for further  journaling or discussion throughout the challenge:

• Choose a part of the passage to write out by hand. Writing by hand helps us slow down and focus on what the Lord might highlight for us in the passage. Our brains can focus and remember better by writing than just reading alone.
• Journal about what the passage brings to mind. Does the passage tell us anything about God? Does it tell us anything about our response to Him?
• Does your heart respond in gratitude to any part of the passage? Write or pray your gratitude to the Lord.

 

We’ll see you tomorrow, for Day 10 and Matthew 5:21-32

♥ Samantha