September 21 The King’s Blessing

Luke 6:20-22 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 What happiness it is when others hate you and exclude you and insult you and smear your name because you are mine! 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in Heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.”
 
AS the end of our previous lesson, I mentioned how Jesus’ teachings on happinesss in these beatitudes – also known as blessings – are opposite of how we view life. Who can be poor, hungry, grieving or hated and still be happy?
   As Matthew wrote of these, we can understand that being poor is poor in spirit. In other words, understanding your sin, you are eager to seek Jesus to heal your spirit. You are thankful God has given you a way out of your sin. To be hungry is to desire to consume God’s Word, eating it to satisfy your soul’s spiritual hunger. To mourn is to grieve over the world’s sin; and so grieving, you are eager to speak the gospel message. In a like manner, if people hate you for your stand on God’s Word, rejoice that the Lord stands alongside  you. You stand on the eternal relationship rather than on pleasing people. All of these terms of physical sufferings can point to spiritual suffering alleviated with God’s blessing – which we understand as his very personal, “face-to-face” relationship with you.
   These blessings will also come from physical suffering as we see them with a Kingdom view. If you are poor and/or hungry, know the blessing of the heavenly life is stored up for you. Even in these grim circumstances, having a Kingdom view of your life will assure you of Christ’s body broken and his blood shed to nourish you into eternal life. Jesus said the prophets endured these great physical and spiritual trials; yet, they have found their eternal reward. This is why all saved in Jesus’ sacrifice can be truly happy.  
    Do you mourn someone’s illness, financial brokenness or death? Then rejoice in the King’s resurrection power and promise to restore all Heaven and earth into a new creation. Pray for his mercy to change those circumstances, and then rest in his response.
   Finally, have you ever felt isolated or abused because you defended and stood for Jesus? Then be happy in the Lord because he has called you as his own child. No one can remove that face-to-face relationship!
   The apostle Paul writes of the gospel’s transforming work in Romans 12:2-3 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.  With a mind set on the King’s ways, you will “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)
   Rejoice in God’s gospel way above all things. Know Kingdom life is forever.
 
Prayer: Lord God, keep my eyes on you in all circumstances to remember your great love. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.