Devotional Messages

Matthew 5:1-12 – When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.  Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying, “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 receive 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 for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil again you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  (NRSV)

The Beatitudes, the collective name for these verses, are the beginning of what we call “The Sermon on the Mount,” which stretches across chapters five through seven in Matthew’s gospel.  There are folks who suggest that just reading through these three chapters would be a good sermon, rather than asking the preacher to add commentary.

But when we read it all at once, it can be hard to absorb the depth of some of the individual verses.  Each of these “blessings” could trigger some serious pondering, as we struggle to understand the how’s and when’s of what Jesus is saying.  And that doesn’t even get into the rest of the verses after the Beatitudes.  Most of this section of Matthew consists of short teachings, without a lot of context or explanation.

And that is why the last blessing stands out.  It is shocking to hear someone say that you’re blessed when you’re being reviled and persecuted, but is it more shocking than saying that those who mourn are blessed? And yet, with this last blessing, Jesus seems to feel like he has to say a little more.  The phrase “on my account” almost sounds like a “thank you,” indicating he knows you did it for him.  The reference to the prophets feels like he knew an example of what he meant would make it more believable.  It seems clear that the author of Matthew’s gospel knew that the issue of persecution was a present and real danger for his audience.  He needed them to know that Jesus’ good news was for them, in ways that couldn’t be missed.

Living in country where our faith is the majority and culturally dominant religion, we are in little danger of being persecuted on account of Jesus.  So perhaps this blessing isn’t the one that needs added emphasis for you.  Perhaps another blessing speaks more directly into your life.  I encourage you to spend some time with these verses and see which one fits best.  And then spend some time reminding yourself that Jesus’ good news is for you, whatever the blessing is that you need.

Collect for the Week:  Gracious, Loving God, whose blessing carries us through hardship, grant that we might feel the hand of Christ on our lives when things are hard and know that we are your beloved children.  Through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Amen.