Monday, November 15, 2010

Digging Deeper Matthew 5:10-16

We are quickly approaching year end and if you have joined us on our journey this year, I trust your heart has been blessed by the Word. I have been. This week we are meditating on the latter part of the Beatitude passage in Matthew 5.

Matthew 5:10-16
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness´ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people´s feet.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Commentary:
"Those who are persecuted are those who have been wrongly treated because of their faith. God is pleased when his people show that they value him above everything in the world, and this happens when they courageously remain faithful amid opposition for righteousness sake."...Just as Jesus experiences opposition and persecution, his disciples can expect the same. Their reward may not come on earth, but it surely will be theirs in heaven...Throughout history, beginning with Cain's murder of Abel..., there have been those who oppose God's people...As salt is beneficial in a number of ways...so are disciples of Jesus who influence the world for good...Jesus' disciples have the kingdom life within them as a living testimony to those in the world who do not yet have the light. The typical lamp in a Jewish home was fairly small and was placed on a stand to give maximum illumination. The world will see the light of the kingdom through the good works done by Jesus' disciples (and believers today), with the result that the Father who is in heaven will be glorified. [ESV Study Notes ~ pg. 1828.

Diane
Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 25 years. She has 2 children, 2+ grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

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