Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he shared how “angels” ministered to Him afterward. Jesus heard that John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and He left His hometown to dwell in “Capernaum” where He began His ministry. Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His followers. As Matthew continued to share how Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee, many others were gathered unto Him. Matthew then wrote, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God”, and in chapter five and verse ten of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus said, “blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake” where we read:
Blessed are they
which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The verse reads, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:” Matthew began with the word, “blessed” which means “oh how happy, supremely fortunate and well off” “are they” which means “are the people” “which are persecuted” or “who are pressed on, mistreated, put to flight and made to run and flee” “for righteousness sake” which means “because and on account of the state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness and the condition acceptable to God”. Jesus referred to people who are “mistreated and made to flee” because they exhibit a “condition acceptable to God”.
The verse continues, “ for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew added the words, “for theirs is” which means “because, since and on account that the persecuted person shall have” “the kingdom“” or “the royal power, kingship, dominion, rule and authority” “of heaven” which means “belonging to the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Jesus shared how “Heaven's kingdom” shall be for those who are “persecuted for righteousness sake”.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we discover what seems be another contrary statement made by Jesus. This “beatitude”, to be “persecuted for righteousness sake”, would not be one we think of as “oh how happy”. Yet, Jesus declared this to be so. The only way we can understand this idea is to think in terms of “eternal” things rather than temporary ones. Though a person may be “mistreated and persecuted” for being “righteous” while on earth, their inheritance shall be the “kingdom of heaven”. Those who are wise shall yield themselves to Jesus who alone give aid and a promise to the person who keeps His “righteous” ways.
Next time Jesus tells His disciples, “blessed are you, when men shall revile you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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