Monday 12 Jun 2023

June 12: Matthew 5:1-12

Key Verse: Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Devotion:
When Jesus was teaching the disciples it was to prepare they to be the next disciple makers and not just to get them to teach people the gospel – the two must go hand in hand for without the actions the words may seem to be empty! Jesus wanted them to know how important it is to do the work on top of talking the talk...

The way Jesus described the blessed people should speak volumes to us and make us want to go out and bless others in the same way as Jesus wanted to bless others. This is the core of loving our neighbours. The people who need to be blessed are the people who are having the most difficult lives. Those who are rich and comfortable probably do not need as much support as those who are poor and in need. We need to be the people who stand up and offer our help because we are the children of God being spoken of here!

Jesus called people to take action and help the people who need it the most. The people who are not sick do not need to go to hospital, but the people who are sick may well need the help of the right people to make them better again. This is the same philosophy Jesus is teaching them here. The people who need to know about Christ the most are the people who are being hurt the most through the lives they are living.

Jesus wants us to have good lives which must entail others stepping up and helping when they can. Without the people who can help, we get stuck in ruts and go downhill, but with the people who can help we manage to get out of trouble and live a better life. The best we can hope for is to live a life with Christ at the centre where He will be able to give us the love and support at first hand!

Points to Ponder:
Who are the people who have helped you the most?

Are you willing to step forward and help someone in the name of Christ?