Verse of the Day 1/6

Through the Bible - Genesis 14-16, Matthew 6

Good morning,

Do you remember what it was like to sit in a new classroom with a new teacher, anxious to find out what kind of teacher he/she would be? After that first class with the teacher or professor, did you ever think, this is going to be easy, or perhaps the opposite, "what did I get myself into?"

In Matthew chapter 4 Jesus had called the disciples and in yesterday's passage told them what His ministry was to be, that of teaching, preaching, and healing. Read the beginning of the chapter (Matt. 5:1-12) try to imagine what it would have been like to sit under His teaching.

For today's verse Jesus is assembling His disciples to teach them, while others crowd around to listen.

Matt 5:1-2 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them. NLT
or from the NKJV
Matt 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them,

Notice that the first and the last (eighth) beatitude end with "for their is the kingdom of "heaven", it is an assurance that the disciples then and we can have now, a confidence in a future inheritance.

John Piper writes that, "by sandwiching six promises in between two assurances that such people have the kingdom of heaven, I think Jesus means to tell us that these six promises are blessings of the kingdom. In other words, these six things are what you can count on when you are a part of God's kingdom. This is what the kingdom brings: comfort, earth ownership, satisfied righteousness, mercy, a vision of God, and the awesome title, son of God. You don't have to pick and choose among these promises. They all belong to the kingdom. That is the first implication I see in the fact that Jesus begins with the assurance, "Theirs is the kingdom of heaven," and ends with the assurance, "Theirs is the kingdom of heaven," with six promises sandwiched in between."

Jesus did not keep the disciples from experiencing trials but even through them He brought them comfort, ownership, satisfaction, mercy, a vision of God, knowing that they were children of God.

Piper continues, "Another way to put it is that Jesus has brought the kingdom of heaven to earth in his own kingly power and fellowship, and we can enjoy foretastes of it here and now; but the full experience of the life of the kingdom will have to wait for the age to come."
Read the "Beatitudes" below. The assurance of the kingdom is now, the promised blessings will truly follow for those who will answer Jesus call "follow Me."

Our journey through the New Testament this year will be full of challenges, and blessings for those who follow where He leads..

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

The Sermon on the Mount

5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

3 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

NLT