The Beatitudes - Part 3
Scripture
Read Matthew
5:9-12
Study
Jesus went on
a mountainside with disciples to instruct them when he saw the
crowds. What he taught them the masses were likely unwilling to
accept. The Beatitudes are not for the spiritually immature but
they should be the standard for all true disciples of Jesus.
The
Peacemakers
Some people
are simply difficult to get along with. There are people who
constantly antagonize and do everything they can to push someone’s
buttons. And once they’ve found something, they’ll keep hitting on
it. It would be easy to react harshly to an antagonist and to give
them whatever they deserve. God’s kingdom is a kingdom of peace
however. We should seek out peace whenever it can be found.
This does not
mean we are to be pacifists in an anti-war sense however. It is
clear from scripture that there will be war on this earth until the
Prince of Peace returns. There are things that are worth fighting
for and standing up for – these things are God’s principles. We
should not seek out conflict but neither should we be fearful of it
when it is unavoidable and we fight only for God’s commands to be
upheld.
Those who
are persecuted
Persecution
can take place in many various forms. We can be persecuted because
of our race, gender, age, or many other things. Blessing does not
come from being persecuted in such ways (although if we try to be
peacemakers in such situations we will be blessed). Rather blessing
comes from when we are persecuted for the cause of Christ.
As Christians,
we are different. We should know we’re different and we should act
differently. This will mean that some people will not like what we
do or say. Because of this we may be looked down upon. In some
areas of the world Christians may fear for their lives because of
their beliefs.
Those who are
persecuted are granted the same blessing as those who are poor in
spirit. The persecuted are and bankrupt in the eyes of world and
are not worth anything, so they are kicked to the curb and out of
the way.
Those who
are insulted
There is
little difference between insult and persecution. In fact insults
may be considered a form of persecution. Paul tells us to be ever
rejoicing. The disciples would remember the words of Jesus as they
are arrested and thrown in jail and beaten. Despite the pain and
humiliation they suffer, they are able to sing praises to God.
Jesus warns
that no servant is greater than his master. If Jesus was persecuted
and the prophets before him were persecuted, what should we expect?
Nevertheless, that puts us in pretty good company as well.
Satan has no
interest in persecuting a wayward and lukewarm Christian. After
all, some persecution may cause them to be strengthened in their
faith as they turn to God for help. He will do all he can to
distract and frustrate the mature believer however and discourage
them from following God. There’s a joke that says “Whenever
everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.” When
Satan tries to discourage and persecute us, we should praise God
that we’re considered enough of a threat to the Devil’s agenda that
he would bother with us. We don’t need to worry about Satan because
we know who is really in control and who will not let us have more
than we can handle.
To top of
page |
