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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Cara Grant and are based on Matthew 5:7-12 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
1 Peter
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
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Sunday December 15 - Doubly blessed!
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7
We continue reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus describes God’s ‘counter-cultural’ Kingdom. He really ‘raises the bar’ on our heart attitudes, motivations and behaviours... and proceeds to transform our lives!
In today’s verse, Jesus uses the word ‘elios’ for ‘mercy’: showing compassion for the suffering, and forgiveness, not revenge, towards those who hurt us. This is hard when others have hurt us. Perhaps your heart sinks a bit, because though you yearn to meet Jesus’ standards, you know you fall short. If so, be encouraged... your yearning shows that the Holy Spirit is at work in a believing heart, challenging ungodly desires, and making you even thirstier for Jesus!
It’s amazing – we receive God’s great mercy, won on the cross by Jesus, who then ‘double-blesses’ us by enabling us to bless others with the mercy we received from him! Jesus paints a beautiful portrait as he describes the beautiful qualities (‘beatitudes’) he
intends our lives to display – and gradually we see that it’s a portrait of our Lord Jesus himself... for all these beautiful attributes are first found in him. God’s lavish mercy, peace and holiness are incarnated in the living Lord Jesus.
Let’s ask Jesus’ powerful help to increasingly display his qualities in our daily lives, for his glory and the extension of his Kingdom.
Precious Lord Jesus, please help me to be more merciful to others, in gratitude for your mercy to me. Who do I need to show mercy to, today – for their good and your glory? Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY