Beyond the Moments

Blessed are those……… Matthew 5:4

Matthew chapter 5 is where Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount. It is the message that taught people what God’s Kingdom is meant to be like and it was radically different than what they had been taught or expected. They had an idea of what life would be like when the Messiah arrived, but when He did, it was as a humble servant, a suffering Savior and not a vengeful warrior. They could only see their current situation and not beyond. What they wanted was freedom from Rome and what they got was a whole new way of thinking, being and responding.

Jesus was teaching them, and us, to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. He was teaching us to be humble and have a servant’s heart. He was teaching us to love God and love others. He was teaching us that we are blessed when we follow His example and trust His promises, especially in the midst of trials, heartache and persecution. He was teaching us the Kingdom way of life.

He spent His time healing and preaching and was focused on calling people to Himself, people who were broken and humble; aware of their need for Him, because He saw beyond who they were in that moment to who they would become.

As believers, we have the calling to live like He did. To turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, to love our enemies all with the promise that we will be taken care of by Him. He will lift our heads, He will fight our battles for us and He will deliver us. Those that respond to Jesus’ message will walk and talk like Jesus and love like Jesus knowing that they get to be a part of gathering others to the kingdom. They will begin to develop the Fruit of the Spirit and fulfill their purpose on earth, sharing the Good News by the lives they live. They will be able to see beyond the moments and press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.