2 Blessed are the meek
When Paul was travelling in Thessalonica, his preaching led to a riot during which some of the local Christians were dragged before the city authorities. The leaders of the mob condemned the Christians saying These men who have turned the world upside-down have come here also. Acts 17: 6 [RSV]
Today’s beatitudes reflect the way that the values of the Kingdom are utterly different from those of the world.
Blessed are the meek
For they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they will be filled. Matthew 5: 5 – 6 [NIV]
It is the meek, not the tough and overbearing, who will inherit the earth. It is those whose long for righteousness (being in a right relationship with God) who will be satisfied.
As disciples we are to be meek. We are not to throw our weight about; we are not to be self-promoting. In the end God will give us the high place we have not seized for ourselves.
And as disciples we are to hunger and thirst... for righteousness – not for wealth or power or position. Christian disciples are to desire a strong relationship of obedience and trust with God. We are called to live in relationship with God and to allow him to change our character and our priorities.
These beatitudes show what life is like in the topsy-turvy Kingdom of God. Timothy Keller writes:
Those who are shaped by the great reversal of the cross no longer need self-justification through money, status, career, or pride of race and class. So the cross creates a counterculture in which money, sex and power cease to control us and are used in life-giving and community-building rather than destructive ways
Heavenly Father, fill me with your Spirit so that I may deeply desire to serve you in every aspect of my life. Amen.
David Long
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