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Why this is important: Conventional wisdom is that there is no reward for a good and honest life.  There is the eternal question of why dreadful things happen to good people.

When we are in right standing with God, through the redeeming work of his son Jesus, blessings flow to us in abundance.

  • I think this is a matter of the heart.
  • Jesus challenges us to see life as a matter of what is in our heart and not the physical world.
  • Jesus says we will be blessed when we mourn.
  • The cause of the mourning is not seen as a good thing. It is about getting our heart right.
  • Blessings flow from that.

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. [1]

(Proverbs 10:6 )

A righteous person receives blessings, it is different with the wicked. Violence overwhelms his mouth. The same statement is made in verse 11. Since the word for “overwhelms” can be translated “covers”, the idea is either that his mouth conceals or deceptively hides violence, or that violence characterizes what a person says. As Jesus stated, “The evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart” (Luke 6:45).[2]

God’s goal: God wants us to live righteous lives. Jesus shows what that looks like and how to get there. The Holy Spirit gives us the power daily. Here is what it looks like. Notice the references to righteousness. Jesus is clear.

  • “Fortunate [blessed] are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • “Fortunate [blessed] are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Source: Matthew 5:1-12

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Pr 10:6). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] Buzzell, S. S. (1985). Proverbs. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 926). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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