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
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2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25Spring Forward in Faith // M-Note 3.29.25Visio Divina | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 26Everlasting Joy Sealed in Your Heart | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 27
April
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2024
January
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February
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March
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