Passage Read: Luke 5-6
Meditation Verses: 6:20-23
Thought
These beatitudes are directed to Jesus' disciples, men who have walked away from jobs and houses and families to follow Jesus. They are poor because they chose to follow Jesus, leaving everything behind. They hunger because they do not have regular jobs, but depend on the gifts of others to feed themselves. They weep perhaps because they from time to time remember what they gave up and wish they had more, perhaps because they miss family and friends, perhaps because they see the hardness of men's hearts and the contempt with which Christ is treated, perhaps because they see how harassed and helpless men are and how desperately they need a shepherd. They are hated and ostracized, insulted and scorned as evil because of Jesus, because of their identification with Him, because they carry on His mission. These blessings don't come just because someone is poor or hungry or weeping, but because they have left everything to learn from Jesus, be trained by Him and join in His work. They have given up the world to seek first Christ's kingdom and righteousness.
Application
This is a reminder I need today. I wish I had better things, newer things, things that worked and weren't always breaking down. I wish I was richer than I am now, more comfortable than I am now, able to afford all the repairs and bills I have or need now. I'm not hungry; I'm grateful for that. I'm not weeping because of the kingdom and the lostness of men, and that's a concern. I'm not insulted because I'm not doing much to tell people about Jesus. I need to set my heart on the blessedness that is promised to those who endure these things for Christ, and I need to step up and get busy testifying for Jesus. I know I'll be insulted, but I need to remember the blessing Jesus promises because of it.