Wednesday, March 16
HAPPY? by Amy Sanders
Matthew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. He taught them, saying:
“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.
“Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
“Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.
“Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
“Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.
“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.
“Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.
Reflection
If you don’t immediately recognize today’s scripture, just swap “happy are…” with “blessed are”, and the light bulb might go off. As part of Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, this scripture is traditionally known as The Beatitudes (from the Latin beatitudo which translates to “blessed”).
While this scripture may have become popular with the Sunday School crowd due to the relative ease of memorization, it requires careful reading--it reads more like a series of riddles than it does straightforward, practical teaching! What is Jesus getting at?
The Beatitudes reads very much like a poem in which each phrase has two parts: the first part lists a character trait that the ideal Christian possesses (the humble, pure-hearted, peacemakers, etc.), and the second part lists a blessing that Christians are promised (we will be fed, comforted, shown mercy, see God, and inherit the Earth).
I often get stuck thinking about how short I come up when measured against those ideals Jesus taught - to be meek, humble, pure-hearted, peacemakers - but I find hope in the promise Jesus made us that we will receive the kingdom of heaven.
Question for Contemplation
As you read through the Beatitudes, which line challenges you the most?
Prayer
Merciful God, thank you for sending Jesus and his teachings, and for giving us the ultimate guidebook for living life to the fullest, rather than leave us adrift in a world that plays by its own set of rules. Help us find the time, space, and energy to study your teachings and live them out in our daily lives. Amen.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. He taught them, saying:
“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.
“Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
“Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.
“Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
“Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.
“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.
“Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.
Reflection
If you don’t immediately recognize today’s scripture, just swap “happy are…” with “blessed are”, and the light bulb might go off. As part of Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, this scripture is traditionally known as The Beatitudes (from the Latin beatitudo which translates to “blessed”).
While this scripture may have become popular with the Sunday School crowd due to the relative ease of memorization, it requires careful reading--it reads more like a series of riddles than it does straightforward, practical teaching! What is Jesus getting at?
The Beatitudes reads very much like a poem in which each phrase has two parts: the first part lists a character trait that the ideal Christian possesses (the humble, pure-hearted, peacemakers, etc.), and the second part lists a blessing that Christians are promised (we will be fed, comforted, shown mercy, see God, and inherit the Earth).
I often get stuck thinking about how short I come up when measured against those ideals Jesus taught - to be meek, humble, pure-hearted, peacemakers - but I find hope in the promise Jesus made us that we will receive the kingdom of heaven.
Question for Contemplation
As you read through the Beatitudes, which line challenges you the most?
Prayer
Merciful God, thank you for sending Jesus and his teachings, and for giving us the ultimate guidebook for living life to the fullest, rather than leave us adrift in a world that plays by its own set of rules. Help us find the time, space, and energy to study your teachings and live them out in our daily lives. Amen.
Posted in Lent Devotional 2022
Recent
Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 4
December 22nd, 2024
Christmas Eve is Almost Here // M-Note 12.21.2024
December 20th, 2024
Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 3
December 15th, 2024
Christmas Eve is Coming Early // M-Note 12.14.2024
December 13th, 2024
Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 2
December 8th, 2024
Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
November
December
Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 1Christmas Invitations // M-Note 12.7.24Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 2Christmas Eve is Coming Early // M-Note 12.14.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 3Christmas Eve is Almost Here // M-Note 12.21.2024Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 4
2023
January
No Comments