by Steven Parker
For the Kids
Enter:
Is there anything you’ve enjoyed about being stuck at home?
Are there things you really miss because you’re stuck at home?
Does anything make you feel afraid as we go through this time together?
Hear:
Read the passage together:
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to 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 those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“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. (Matthew 5:1-12)
Pause:
Sit for a few moments and reflect on this passage. Re-read the focal verse for this devotional: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Wonder:
What do you think Jesus is teaching in these verses?
How can being poor in spirit and in a state of mourning bring blessing?
For Everyone:
This past week we jumped back into our Beatitudes series that we are calling “Your Blessed Life Now.” In these beautiful lines, Jesus shows us what a blessed life looks like in His kingdom. These are not characteristics to which we aspire as much as they are the natural byproduct of a life lived in His name.
The Beatitudes begin with Jesus blessing circumstances that we don’t expect to be blessed. These words of blessing start with “blessed are the poor in Spirit” (vs. 3) and its emotional counterpart, “blessed are those who mourn” (vs. 4). You can access the second message in this study by clicking here.
While others find themselves pursuing external measurements of worldly success, Jesus offers blessing to those who recognize their own shortcomings and are grieved by them. When Jesus says that we’re blessed when we’re poor in spirit and mourning, He’s saying that we’re blessed when it doesn’t seem like we’re blessed. Jesus reminds us that when it seems like we have things upside down that’s probably ok, because His kingdom is at odds with most of what seems normal in the world and so upside down in this world is often right side up in His eyes. Our life of faith begins with acknowledging that we are sinful and in need of God’s grace and broken over our shortcomings. The promise of God in those genuine expressions of spiritual poverty and brokenness is that God will grant the kingdom and His comfort to those who recognize their need for Him.
The Beatitudes are an encouraging word for us as we face this pandemic together, because we are, in many ways, dealing with the loss of many things we took for granted a short while ago. Some have lost loved ones to Coronavirus and other illnesses and are grieving that loss. Most of us are feeling poorer because of the absence of family, friends, and simple human contact as we go through this period of mandated social distancing. Our students are missing their friends and the fun things that they expected to participate in as the school year came to a close. Many families are struggling through the loss of income due to layoffs or shutdowns and the fear of permanent closures. In the midst of all of that we have the hope that in our seasons of spiritual poverty we gain the kingdom of God and when we take our brokenness to Jesus, He gives us comfort. Because of what Jesus does for us through seasons of struggle, we learn to say with the Psalmist: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11-12)
Bless:
Affirm what everyone has shared.
In prayer, share any feelings of fear, anxiety, spiritual poverty, and brokenness.
Pray together:
Thank God for blessing us when we’re poor in spirit and mourning.
Example:
Father in heaven, we can be quite self-absorbed, and we don’t always understand what You’re doing. Forgive us for the ways in which we have forgotten to trust in Your goodness. We are saddened by a lot of what is going on in our world right now and ask You to bring us the comfort that only You can give. Teach us the ways of Your kingdom as we live into our status as Your children through this pandemic. In Jesus’ name, Amen.