“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4.Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.
5.Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.
6.Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.
7.Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.
8.Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God
9. Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]
Predominantly, when a New Year comes to pass, this is when people often make personal resolutions to improve themselves. They resolve to better the image of themselves by endeavoring to do something – or to stop doing something. In this way, they hope that they will exude a better personal and individual image of themselves. But, when our Savior opened His mouth and taught these verses from Mt.5 — He descriptively declared what the pure truth of the gospel of God’s grace bestows upon His true disciples. He taught them concerning how they – as sinners – still in this sinful world — can recognize – in themselves (and, for that matter, in each other) truly being one of God’s blessed children — while they are still passing through — this fallen world!
First of all, according to God’s Word, to be a blessed by God sinner – in this world — is to truly be one of His chosen sinner/ children — whom He has chosen and placed in Christ before the foundation of this world [see Eph.1:3-5].“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings – in heavenly places – in Christ – (4) according as He hath chosen us in Him – before the foundation of the world – that we should be holy and without blame before Him – in love (5) having predestinated us — unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself – according to the good pleasure of His will…”
Oh the unfathomable wonders of God’s eternally saving will and grace! That He has been pleased to purpose — and even to predestinate — poor, undeserving, unlovely – even enemy/sinners – to be blessed by almighty God and chosen in Christ – and even to being adopted by Jesus Christ into becoming a part of God’s holy heavenly family! Praise His Wonderful Name!
How can this be true! How can it be possible that any “poor” sinner who does not possess one iota of ability to do even one thing to merit or earn a place and standing in God’s holy family! How can they even believe that: “theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”?! But, this is exactly what the incarnated eternal and holy Son of God – who cannot lie – right up front announced!
Everyone of these descriptive “Blessings” become descriptions of everyone that the Father has given His Savior/Son – to save. Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth to me – shall come to me – and him that cometh to me – I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will – but the will of Him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me – that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing – but should raise it up again at the last day!”[Jn.6:37-39] We will look further into this grand context in the future. Praise the Lord!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
