Hebraic Musing – Is Jesus Training us for Ordination as His Disciples?
Are the
“Beatitudes” in Matthew 5 the start of the training and ordination of Jesus’
Apostles and Disciples? “His disciples
came to him, and he began to teach them…” Matthew 5:1-2 NIV How
might you and I use these “Beatitudes” for our growth as His disciple? I’m assuming you recognize yourself as His
disciple?!?!
A note in my Bible
says – “Jesus was setting a high standard that can only be achieved by Faith in
Jesus Christ.” Let’s look at the opening
verses of the Beatitudes with which “He began to teach them”; and some related
notes accumulated in my Bible over time:
5:3 “Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” That’s a
‘grabber’ line to get attention! Does
that mean the rich cannot get to heaven?!?!
5:4 “Blessed
are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” There is
comfort in the grieving process for those who sit “Sheva” (Jewish custom – seven
days of intensive mourning following the death of a relative.).
5:5 “Blessed
are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” The “Meek” or “Weak” are
the most teachable!
5:6 “Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Are we to be
seeking righteousness daily? What does
it mean to “hunger and thirst” for it? Is
it a continuous need?
5:7 “Blessed
are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” And
Jesus references this a little later as part of the “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew
6:12. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have
forgiven our debtors.” And
Luke 11:4 says it also. “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who
sins against us.”
Does that make forgiveness conditional?
5:8 “Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” What is Jesus calling us to do? What’s required to see God? What does it take to have the “pure heart”? Jesus told us the greatest commandment. “Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind.” Matthew 22:37.
5:9 “Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Our men’s
fellowship in my California church (Calvary Lighthouse Mission) was called
“Peacemakers.” We need to learn how to
deal with the world’s conflicts peacefully.
Do you want to be called a “son of God”?
5:10 “Blessed
are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.” Our Brothers and Sisters around the world are
suffering for their faith far more than we’ve experienced (yet). They have an awesome reward coming! Jesus continued with much more to say about
those being persecuted.
5:13 “You
are the salt of the earth.”
And the attributes of SALT can be described in the four uses for salt:
1 - Preservative; 2 - Flavoring; 3 - Purification/cleansing; 4 - Medium of exchange(in Biblical times)
Could that be the outline for a
sermon about what it means for us to be the “salt of the earth”?
BTW – The red
letters of Jesus’ teachings go beyond Matthew 5, they go all the way through
chapters 6 & 7. Is Jesus enrolling
us in a Masters or a Doctorate degree?
(>:
As you listen to His
teachings in these three chapters, think about applications to our lives? How might they help each of us to grow? And
to be a blessing to others?
Points to Ponder
Are we Jesus’
Disciples? Do we still need more training?
Does this
make you want to reread Matthew 5 (and 6-7)?
If you are being
ordained by Jesus as a Disciple, what are Disciples expected to do?
Answer – Make more Disciples! “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17 “Fishers of
men” Mt.4:19
How are
Jesus’ instructions to His Disciples in opposition to today’s societal values?
And my
favorite note in my Bible is…
“The light that shines the farthest, shines brightest close to home.”
“And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke14:27
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic Musings”
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