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Read: Matthew 5:6-12
Listen: Matthew 5

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

The crowd settles onto the hillside. They want to hear what Jesus has to say. They know Jesus is different. He’s not just another rabbi. He’s the one who heals the sick. Jesus continues his talk about those who are blessed in God’s kingdom by discussing four actions. He says those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are merciful and peacemakers and even those who are persecuted are blessed in his kingdom. This message is radical because the blessing isn’t based on circumstances. It’s a blessing based on God and the new kingdom. These actions radically differ from what the religious elite of first-century Israel considered blessed.

Our world isn’t much different than first-century Israel in this way. For most of us, to be blessed implies having an ideal or desired set of circumstances. We hunger and thirst for success, fame or wealth, not necessarily righteousness. We want to cancel or take revenge, not extend mercy. We can be selfish and manipulate people instead of having a pure heart. Instead of seeking peace, we can try to play people off each other, pitting them against each other to get what we want. We easily misunderstand what leads to a blessed life. The blessed life is found in Jesus and his kingdom. A kingdom built on love and mercy and empowered by his Spirit.

TODAY: Focus on the actions of being merciful and seeking peace. Our world seems to be short on these two things right now. Thanksgiving is just two days away. Your gathering of family or friends may need some mercy or peacemaking. Pray and ask God to help you bring mercy and peace this Thanksgiving.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Nehemiah 10. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Look at the people’s covenant commitments. Reflect on how Jesus establishes the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13).