By JAMES REINEBACH
Jesus said God’s blessing comes in unlikely, “mind-blowing” ways. Check out Matthew 5:1-12 from the Sermon on the Mount! Those who are “smarter than God ,” will never try even one of these! But, Jesus says there’s no other way to be blessed. People want good things to happen, but not on God’s terms! However, you and I will always be blessed through obedient faith, and God’s promised power.
You can see the unlikely paths to blessing by splitting the Beatitudes in half. (I’ll play the Devil’s advocate for you inside the parentheses.)
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit ... (This is starting off really badly if you are mostly proud of yourself!)
2. Blessed are those who mourn about their sin ... (Wasn’t this supposed to be about “happy?”)
3. Blessed are the meek ... (Don’t nice guys finish last?)
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness ... (What?! ... and miss the really good stuff?)
5. Blessed are the merciful ...(You’ll get trampled doing that! Revenge is sweet, and warns people not to mess with you.)
6. Blessed are the pure in heart ...(What’s a pure heart? You can’t trust anybody these days!)
7. Blessed are the peacemakers ... (Like I said, you’ll get trampled, I’ve tried it.)
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake ... (Getting hurt for no good reason is senseless!)
9. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad! ... (What? How could I be happy? I think that would be the saddest moment of my self-seeking life!)
Now for God’s indescribable, and incomprehensibly promised “pay-outs!” The speechless Devil’s advocate is here replaced by a wise counselor.
1. ... You are a co-owner of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt. 5:3 - Oh, My! It’s mine to share forever!)
2. ... You will be comforted. (5:4- Every tear wiped away by the true lover of my soul!)
3. ... You will inherit the earth. (5:5- Jesus gives me two for one possession of Heaven and earth!? You’re not kidding, right?!)
4. ... You will be filled. (5:6- With all the fullness of God! Eph. 3:19; 4:13)
5. ... You will receive mercy. (5:7- Is there anything more needed from God?)
6. ... You will see God. (5:8- “Seeing God” is a human’s least possibility, yet highest certainty through Jesus Christ. In His light, we see light. Ps.36:9; 27:1; Jn. 1:4)
7. ... You will be called the Sons of God. (5:9- Our Lord Jesus Christ made peace between God and man through the blood of His cross. Therefore, God will certainly forgive my enemies, as all His true children must.)
8. ... You are a co-owner of the Kingdom of Heaven. (5:10- Can this be for real? Indescribable! 1 Peter 3:13-14.)
9. ... Your reward in Heaven is great. (5:12- Pray for God’s servants like Saeed Abedini, in an Iranian prison, who seem so unblessed. Their reward is “great” in heaven, right now. Suffering for Jesus’ name should be expected in various ways in the Christian life. Jn.18:15-25)
You may think you are a long ways from God’s unlikely blessing right now, but consider Jesus’ promise in Matthew 5. Believe in Jesus, personally, as your Savior from your sins. Also, consider these words from Chris Thomlin’s song, Everlasting God, which express God’s unlikely deliverance of His children (Isa. 40:31).
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord...
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the Everlasting God,
You do not faint, You won’t grow weary.
You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those who seek.
You lift us up on wings like eagles.
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James Reinebach is a High Desert resident and the former pastor of Calvary Bible Church of Lucerne Valley.