46. Beatitudes- Matt.
5:3-12, Luke 6:20-23
-Jesus lays out important characteristics of the people who
will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (or God, Luke) that contradict the world’s
system of pride and prestige. The poor in spirit (the broken) are blessed (the
experience of hope and joy). Those that mourn (sorrow, repentant, grieving)
will be comforted by the God who cares and has compassion. The gentle (humble,
meek) will inherit the earth. The ones who hunger and thirst (an unyielding
seeking and pursuit of) after righteous will find satisfaction. The ones who
display mercy and grace in their lives will also receive the mercy and grace of
the LORD. The heart must be pure in order to see God, and peacemakers (not
peacekeepers) will be called the sons (or daughters if female) of God. Jesus
gives special attention to those who are persecuted for His sake and
righteousness. He encourages us to stay in the game and endure because He knows
the pain and suffering that it brings when we stand up for Him and obey His
commands in this world by faith. *Application* It is incredibly difficult to
follow these beatitudes. In fact it is impossible to achieve these things long
term in our flesh (old nature, our natural state) and on our own. We may
achieve some success short term, but to have lasting fruits we must receive God’s
Holy Spirit (a transformation, a new birth) and walk in His power. This is a
way of life that contradicts the natural inclinations and the ways of the
majority of this world. Soldier on and allow God to do things His way in your
life! In the end you shall be blessed beyond measure!
Verse to Memorize- Matthew
5:10
47. Expounding of the
law- Matt. 5:17-48, Luke 6:29-42
-Jesus explains His true intentions to fulfill the Law
rather than demolish, or abolish, it. In other words, He supersedes the
formality and penalty of the Law because of His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
His grace is sufficient (Romans 3:24, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Titus 3:7, 1 Peter
1:2). This grace gives a whole new perspective to the demands and requirements
of the Law, which Jesus expounds upon in this section. Grace requires new heart
attitudes from within that have pure motives and are virtually unconcerned for
the outward manifestation since that will take care of itself. Grace goes
deeper and penetrates to the core of our being fulfilling God’s ultimate desire
and plan for His creation in love. This is the essence of what Christ was
discussing here in this passage. It has application in all the described areas,
but its root is all the same wrapped up in the commands “love God and love
others.” *Application* When we understand the true meaning of the Law and how
it is applied to us for a redemptive purpose with a Savior to cover our
transgressions, we can begin to walk free in God’s perfection and be holy even
as He is holy (Leviticus 19:2, Matthew 5:48).
Verse to Memorize- Luke
6:36
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