“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4, TLV
The Unexpected Blessing. Imagine, if you will, Jesus sees the crowds following Him. Like lost sheep that instinctively understand that this Man is their true Shepherd, they come. Are they drawn by the miracles He’s performed? Probably. Wouldn’t we?
Others hope He is the Messiah they and their ancestors for thousands of years have waited and prayed for. Many hope He is their Deliverer — from the Roman oppression. They hope that Israel will be free.
As Yeshua climbs the mountain, the crowds follow. He sits and His disciples sit with Him (Matthew 5:1). Jesus opens His mouth and teaches …
What does He begin with? Blessings. Comfort. Encouragement. Empathy.
Yeshua sees each person and what they are going through. He knows they are hurting and lost. Because He and His Father have a plan of deliverance, He sets the tone for a deliverance like no other.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.” Matthew 5:11, TLV
Then, the tone of His blessings, comfort, encouragement, and empathy changes.
Yeshua is saying that not only does He know and
understand all the evil being acted out against them, but they are also blessed because of it.
Wait. What?
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45, TLV
Matthew records two more chapters of Yeshua’s teaching. And the people listened. The people stayed.
Yes, Yeshua was there for the lost of Israel — He was their Messiah, the One their prophets spoke of — but He was also there for the nations. Israel’s enemies, including the Romans.
Are We in Spiritual Quarantine?
Most of us well understand how quarantining works. Have we spiritually “quarantined” ourselves from our enemies in this world? Does it feel like we are also being oppressed? Then, according to Jesus, we’re blessed.
Not only blessed, but we are to pray for those who persecute us. The same sweet salvation and atonement we have, we want for them.
When I say persecute, I mean drilling all the way down to the offense we feel from those who ridicule our faith. Whether personally or through the various media we must maintain that understanding that we are blessed, and from that place we pray blessings for them. The ultimate blessing is freedom and redemption.
An unexpected blessing? Yes. But aren’t we glad someone, somewhere prayed that we would receive this blessing?
Think More About It
Have we ever looked at persecution and offense as a blessing? How does that practically work out in your faith journey? Be sure to leave your thoughts and comments below.
Until tomorrow, may we see the blessing and walk with it.
Praying for Israel
Truth is the essence of Your word,
and all Your righteous rulings are eternal.
SHIN ש
Princes persecute me for no reason,
but my heart is in awe of Your words.
I rejoice in Your word,
as one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:160-162, TLV
As I write this devotion and prayer prompt, the latest hostages were released. Two of the three men returned to learn that their loved ones were brutally murdered on October 7th. Speechless.
So, today we pronounce truth and pray for God’s intervention in the lives of the victims and perpetrators of the unthinkable. Join me? God bless you.
