DAY 1 | Things That Are – Not Just Things That Will Be | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount | An Introduction

AN INTRODUCTION | by Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

 

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Welcome to the February 1-21 devotional exploring the Beatitudes of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7!

The word “Beatitude” comes from the first words of Jesus' teaching beginning at Matthew 5:3, beati sunt, (in Latin) meaning“blessed are.” These words from Christ are much more than promises that “will be.” The beatitudes are exclamations or proclamations of the believer’s reality.

Matthew 5:1, Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As a Christ follower, when you read and study these brief statements, know that each summarizes a whole world of truth beyond the simple words. Embrace everything God is doing in your heart and life NOW! Elevate your thinking to match His blessing on your life. Don’t allow negativity to reduce the impact of God’s word.

Embrace these marvelous words of William Barclay, from his Commentary entitled Barclay's Daily Study Bible.

“The beatitudes are not pious hopes of what shall be; they are not glowing, but nebulous prophecies of some future bliss; they are congratulations on what is. The blessedness which belongs to the Christian is not a blessedness which is postponed to some future world of glory; it is a blessedness which exists here and now. It is not something into which the Christian will enter; it is something into which he has entered.”

“The Beatitudes speak of that joy which seeks us through our pain, that joy which sorrow and loss, and pain and grief, are powerless to touch, that joy which shines through tears, and which nothing in life or death can take away.” 

As you journey with us over the next 21 days, consider spending some quality time reading and studying more about the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.

 

I look forward to sharing devotional lessons along with Patricia Hudson, Elder Gaylan Owens, Chaplain Delores Epps, Min. Bertha Fields and Stacy Williams.

 

RESOURCES:

• Follow THIS LINK (or copy/paste) to a resource from Zondervan Academic: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/beatitudes

• Follow THIS LINK (or copy/paste) to the web version of Barclay's Commentary on the New Testament: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb.html

• THIS LINK is a downloadable PDF of Barclay's Commentary'

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What do you expect to gain from the Beatitudes over the next 21 Days?

2. Why is it important to elevate your thinking to match Jesus' words?

 

ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

 

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Listen to the Teaching

“The Beatitudes: Blessing on Purpose”