Matthew 5:1-4
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Think back to the words of Isaiah concerning the ministry of the Messiah:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
for the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the LORD’s favor has come…” Isaiah 61:1-2
Then read Matthew 5:1-4 focusing in on verse three in particular.
It appears that Jesus is taking advantage of a teachable moment for his disciples. Needy people are all around them, and Jesus wants his closest followers to look beyond the masses and see these people for who they can be.
He begins by pointing out the “poor.” The Greek word for “poor” is indicative of a physical posture - the poor are those who crouch like a beggar. Their spirits are bent over in desperation, and they have no illusions about their own ability to help themselves.
For just a moment, try to lay aside your own self-sufficiency and picture yourself crouching like a desperate beggar in front of Jesus. What thoughts or feeling arise? Share them with Jesus.
As you continue to picture yourself crouching before Jesus, notice Jesus. What does he do, or what does he say to you?
Read Matthew 5:1-4 again this time focusing on verse 4.
The mourning that Jesus speaks of is the genuine and obvious grief of one who has experienced the death of a vital relationship. In this kind of mourning, there is no hope of recovering what was lost.
This is the reality of every human being since death and destruction entered the world through the portal of human rebellion. Our relationship with our Creator and Sustainer was lost, and every death of a loved one echoes that loss. In and of ourselves there is nothing we can do to bring back to life that which has died.
But God came near to us. In Jesus, those who recognize their loss and mourn over it find comfort in a restored relationship with God.
When did you realize that you needed Jesus to restore you to God? Was it a process over time or a moment in time?
End this time of reflection by expressing your thoughts and feelings about this to Jesus.
If at any time during this meditation you have sensed that there is an action you need to take, follow through before the day is over.
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