Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Numbers 35 -36; Matthew 5:1 -26
Happy People – Matthew 5:1-12
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. 2 He taught them, saying:
3 “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
4 “Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.
5 “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
6 “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.
7 “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
8 “Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.
9 “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.
10 “Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
11 “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. 12 Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
In this version, instead of saying blessed, the translation uses the word ‘happy.’
It makes me see the contrast of the words. All of the situations Jesus describes seems to be far from any kind of happiness we pursue. Jesus says, in those situations, we will find true happiness. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
It is hard to understand until we are in that situation and until we see how God works in that situation.
As I was finishing the leadership program, hosted by the United Methodist Foundation, we were charged with this word; ‘Practice Ressurection.’ Our instructor added by saying, ‘ The world is good at nailing us down, but God is good at raising us to stand.’
When God is with us and raises us up, we will see how true happiness comes in different ways than we think.
So practice resurrection and live happily!
Prayer
Lord, lead us to see how you give us the power to stand strong, with your Word, and live happy today. In the name of Jesus, we pray, AMEN.
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