Blessed are the Meek

Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Most people associate meekness with weakness but that’s not at all what it means. In the original language the word “meek” was used to describe the taming of a wild animal. So meekness is really power under control.

It’s a person whose life has been brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. Are you under the control and leading of the Holy Spirit or do you insist on being in control?

Blessed Are the Merciful

Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

This is something that Jesus taught throughout the Gospels. He mentions it again in Matthew 6.

Matthew 6:14-15 – 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The Bible consistently teaches that only the merciful will receive mercy. I don’t know about you but I need all the mercy and grace I can get.

Sometimes it is difficult to forgive those who have wronged us. We don’t think they deserve it. We too quickly forget that we received God’s grace and mercy even though we didn’t deserve it. The Bible says that while we were still sinners Jesus died for us.

When recognize and appreciate what a precious gift we have been given, we will pass it on to others. We will be vessels that take God’s grace and mercy to others who do not deserve it.

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

This is the second beatitude. In the first one Jesus said that the poor in spirit would be blessed. That you had to recognize your bankrupt spiritual condition before you could receive His blessing of eternal life.

With that in mind, what kind of mourning is Jesus referring to in this second beatitude? He’s saying that when you finally realize that you’re spiritually bankrupt and that God is your only hope then your sins begin to break your heart and you mourn.

How long has it been since you mourned over your sin? When your sin becomes repulsive to you and you turn from it – that’s when God promises to comfort you.

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Do you know how to be blessed by God? The religious Jews thought they could be blessed if they followed the Law of Moses - if they offered the right sacrifices and observed all the special days. Jesus said – that’s not how you’re going to get God’s blessing. He said you’ll be blessed if you’re poor in Spirit.

Blessed means blissful or fortunate and we know what it means to be poor but what does it mean to be poor in spirit? To understand it better let’s consider some synonyms for “poor” – busted, broke, or bankrupt. Now insert the word “spiritual”. Fortunate are people who are spiritually busted, broke or bankrupt.

Jesus was saying – fortunate are people who realize that they’re spiritually bankrupt. Fortunate is the person who finally realizes that they’re spiritually broke and that they need God.

You’ll never come to Christ until you understand you’re true spiritual condition. Without Jesus you are bankrupt. You have no hope. When you understand the reality of that truth you will finally understand the beauty and value of the cross.

Welcome to the new blog for Journey of Faith fellowship!