ON MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD – MATTHEW 5:13
Matthew 5:13 (KJV)13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
If the eight beatitudes we just studied are a reality in our lives, what does Jesus say will be the result in Matthew 5:13a?
Eight Steps to Eternal Blessed Living (Matthew 5:3–12)
Lest we forget Jesus’ steps to “blessed living,” let’s review. Basically, a review is learning by repetition. We learn everything best by repetition. That’s how we learned our multiplication tables, such as 6×6 or 9×9. The best way to remember names is by repeating them at least seven times. Repetition is also how to obey what command in Psalm 119:11?
Therefore, to hide the Beatitudes in our hearts, we must repeat them. The Beatitudes are given in a divine progression, giving us eight steps to lasting happiness …
HOW TO REJOICE WHEN YOU ARE REJECTED (Matthew 5:10–12)
Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV2011) 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.
Matthew 5:1-9 (NIV2011) 1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 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.
Matthew 5:1-8 (KJV) 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Sometimes following Jesus is more than we bargained for. We wonder why God allows bad things to happen to us while others seem to have an easy life. Sometimes we feel like simply quitting.
PERSONAL REFLECTION:
1. Have you ever felt like giving up Christianity and taking up an easier way of life?
2. What aspects of Christianity feel like weighty demands or burdens to you?
As a young and timid leader, Timothy faced the dual dilemma of personal inadequacy and a problem-stricken church. If that weren’t enough, Paul, his father in the faith, was in prison facing the prospect of death. His arrest evidently resulted in widespread defections from the faith. This is the last letter Paul wrote before he was executed. From his cell he challenges Timothy to endure. Read 2 Timothy 1:8–2:7.
ACHIEVING GREATNESS THROUGH HUMILITY – MARK 10: 32-45
Pride comes in all shapes and sizes. Some of us put ourselves on a pedestal from which we judge the faults of everyone else. Others struggle with low self-esteem that they cannot take their eyes off themselves and their own inadequacies. Still others swing like a pendulum from one extreme to the other.
Personal Reflection: What is the difference between humility and a poor self-image? Reflect on Jesus’ humility. Spend time in prayer asking God to use this study to build a little more of Jesus’ character in you.
Paul exhorts us neither to exalt nor to belittle ourselves, but rather to think of ourselves with sober judgment (Romans 12:3). In Mark 10 we see that the disciples too were constantly learning to live humbly like the Lord Jesus. Read Mark 10:32–45.
