May 15, Saturday Devotion

May 15, Saturday Devotion
Matthew 5:1-12

1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them. 3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Quick Notes/Questions

I really hate to break up chapter 5, let alone the whole collection of chapters and verses that make up what we call the 'Sermon on the Mount', but I want you to read.  The first twelve verses are called the beatitudes.  God blesses a lot of people.  And it seems that the people God blesses are the same ones that culture either mocks or ignores.  Lip service is paid to these 'good' qualities, but can you imagine a world where those who are blessed were actually blessed in today's society?  We really don't like the poor (we like our stuff and want more), the mourners (cry-babies), the humble (unless it is for our benefit), those who seek justice (Glenn Beck calls these people Communists and Nazis), the merciful (we call them suckers), pure heart-ers (they are sooooo naive), peace workers (the money is in violence, baby), persecuted for doing right (those people that try to make us look bad), those who are mocked (yeah, I'm sure they are blessed by God).  This is a part of learning what it means to become the people of God that we were created to be.Quick Prayer

O God, may I look to your guidance instead of the world's and show your love. Amen.