Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus saw the crowd.
The vision of them all lingers in his mind.
What did He see as He looked into that crowd?
He describes the spectrum He saw there:
There are the poor, with arms wide open. They have nothing left to give. They are utterly disillusioned.
There are those who are mourning. They know their experience is tragic. They weep for the loved ones they've lost, and over the the scenarios they can't improve.
There are the meek; the gentle. They have lived in oppression for so long. They silently and patiently endure it, trying to believe life can get better one day.
There are those yearning desperately for righteousness. They know their lives don't have to be helplessly tragic. They still believe the evils in the world can be overcome by good.
The merciful are out there. They are those who forgive the violent and troubled among them. They look upon their persecutors without the contempt and judgment so common amongst their people.
The pure in heart are the mothers and fathers who feed their families any way they can. They are the aunts and cousins that adopt the orphans as their parents fall under the persecution. They are those who are willing to wash feet, even if all they have are their tears and their hair.
The peacemakers are well known among their people. They are the ones who will die defending the others. They will not only settle disputes effectively, but will teach others so needless future disputes can also be avoided.
These people know what persecution is. They has experienced it, and they live each day knowing they will experience it again and again.
And, upon seeing all of this in the faces of the crowd, Jesus stepped away from them, to a place where He could wait for those who would come to Him as disciples.
When we will send them into that crowd--that broad spectrum of people dealing with persecution--and when they go to those in power who have tormented that crowd--Jesus knows they will be insulted and persecuted. These disciples will be spat at and opposed on account of who Jesus is.
Knowing this, He comforts those disciples. There is a reward waiting for them. As they endure hardship, He wants them to remember those that endured such things before them--those that are recorded and recognized as heroes of the faith they now carry in their hearts.
This is how God chose to begin the greatest speech ever recorded...
Jesus saw the crowd.
The vision of them all lingers in his mind.
What did He see as He looked into that crowd?
He describes the spectrum He saw there:
There are the poor, with arms wide open. They have nothing left to give. They are utterly disillusioned.
There are those who are mourning. They know their experience is tragic. They weep for the loved ones they've lost, and over the the scenarios they can't improve.
There are the meek; the gentle. They have lived in oppression for so long. They silently and patiently endure it, trying to believe life can get better one day.
There are those yearning desperately for righteousness. They know their lives don't have to be helplessly tragic. They still believe the evils in the world can be overcome by good.
The merciful are out there. They are those who forgive the violent and troubled among them. They look upon their persecutors without the contempt and judgment so common amongst their people.
The pure in heart are the mothers and fathers who feed their families any way they can. They are the aunts and cousins that adopt the orphans as their parents fall under the persecution. They are those who are willing to wash feet, even if all they have are their tears and their hair.
The peacemakers are well known among their people. They are the ones who will die defending the others. They will not only settle disputes effectively, but will teach others so needless future disputes can also be avoided.
These people know what persecution is. They has experienced it, and they live each day knowing they will experience it again and again.
And, upon seeing all of this in the faces of the crowd, Jesus stepped away from them, to a place where He could wait for those who would come to Him as disciples.
When we will send them into that crowd--that broad spectrum of people dealing with persecution--and when they go to those in power who have tormented that crowd--Jesus knows they will be insulted and persecuted. These disciples will be spat at and opposed on account of who Jesus is.
Knowing this, He comforts those disciples. There is a reward waiting for them. As they endure hardship, He wants them to remember those that endured such things before them--those that are recorded and recognized as heroes of the faith they now carry in their hearts.
This is how God chose to begin the greatest speech ever recorded...
