The Beatitudes
He said:
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 children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5
In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus identified eight groups of people who would be blessed and some of them may have sounded strange to His followers and also to us because they came from a kingdom outside of this world system. They were some of the first words spoken by the Lord and they were recorded for us and others to read long after they were spoken on the hills overlooking the beautiful Sea of Galilee. Amazing to realise that God arranged for these words that were spoken so long ago to resound across this world, wherever the Gospel is presented.
At this time I’m thinking about the second verse of the Beatitudes (Beautiful attitudes), a much softer and more tender word than the commandments of the Law.
’Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted’. Matthew 5:4
I was made aware last night of a tragic death within my family circle, so today I’m praying for God’s comfort for those most deeply affected by this sudden passing. It’s noteworthy that God puts on record His compassion and sympathy for those who have been bereaved, their pain is taken into account and not just quickly dismissed. God cares for those of His children who are suffering, the broken hearted among us. He promises to comfort us in our time of suffering, to help restore us and walk with us through life again. That’s a very distinct mark of His Kindness and Gentleness to His people.
In the song, Irish Heartbeat, by Van Morrison, a couple of lines repeated several times,
Cause the world is so coldDon’t care nothing ’bout your soulThat you share with your own ones
Thanks to our God that He is so caring at times when people need understanding the most, so different from this, ‘cold, uncaring world’. May all those who mourn be surrounded by the Father’s love and compassion.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.