What Jesus Did : Matthew 5:5 - Upside Down to the World
by Phil Ware
Upside Down to the World - Matthew 5:5
"What great blessings there are for the people that are humble! They will have the land {God promised}." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Everything in our culture and experience says the meek and the humble will get run over and will be targets for bullies. But God says these are the very ones to receive the earth as an inheritance. Why? Because their strength comes from their dependence upon God and not upon worldly power, an accumulation of possessions, or unleashed violence. They don't try to break the grip of oppression by power, but by their undaunted faithfulness in the face of unfairness, abuse, and difficulty. Character and faithfulness provide their power to change others, not political might or monetary power. Jesus, of course, is the example of this kind of humility. All of God's promised blessings will come to the humble in the Kingdom family where the first will be last and the last will be first and the greatest of all is a servant.
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, help me to be patient and wait for your vindication and not extract a cheap, selfish revenge on others. I trust your faithfulness to bring about what is right and vindicate your servants. I know, through Jesus, that you will bring victory to your faithful and humble servants. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus saw the many people that were there. So Jesus went up on a hill and sat down. His followers came to him. Jesus taught the people. He said: "What great blessings there are for the people that {know they} have spiritual needs! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are sad now! God will comfort them. What great blessings there are for the people that are humble! They will have the land {God promised}. What great blessings there are for the people that want to do right more than anything else ! God will fully satisfy them. What great blessings there are for the people that give mercy to other people! Mercy will be given to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are pure in their thinking! They will be with God. What great blessings there are for the people that work to bring peace! God will call them his sons and daughters. What great blessings there are for the people that are treated badly for doing good! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. "People will say bad things against you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things against you because you follow me. But when people do those things to you, know that God will bless you. Be happy and glad. You have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did those same bad things to the prophets that lived before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, then it cannot be made salty again. Salt is good for nothing, if it loses its salty taste. It must be thrown out and people walk on it. "You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. No. People put the light on a lamp table. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that people will see the good things you do. Live so that people will praise your Father in heaven.-- Matthew 5:1-16 (ERV)
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