by Will | Nov 25, 2010 | Scripture Meditations
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (NIV) The Jewish leaders, especially the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, were very big on external purity. This included specific ways of washing their hands, and total avoidance of contact...
by Will | Nov 17, 2010 | Scripture Musings
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 (NIV) The Jews defined mercy in two different but related ways: First, as the forgiveness of wrongs done to you, and secondly as the giving of alms or charity. Both definitions of mercy are...
by Will | Nov 11, 2010 | Scripture Musings
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV) In this beatitude, Jesus was drawing a sharp line between those who were confident of their own righteousness, specifically the Pharisees and teachers of the...
by Will | Nov 3, 2010 | Scripture Musings
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 The word “meek” often conjures up in our heads the image of a person who others walk all over – the proverbial dooormat that everyone mistreats, but who is too cowardly or shy to...
by Will | Oct 26, 2010 | Scripture Musings
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 NIV) In this second beatitude, Jesus again challenges the thinking not only of His day, but of our day too! Most of us are able to look at those for whom life is going great, and figure that God is...
by Will | Oct 20, 2010 | Scripture Meditations
Matthew 5:1-3 (NIV) Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus begins His...
