“Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8, TLV
Chag Sukkot. Tonight, at sundown the first day of Sukkot—the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-43). We celebrate in our sukkah—or booth—to remember God’s provision to the Children of Israel while in the desert. But we also celebrate Yeshua—Jesus—coming to earth to “tabernacle” with us (John 1:1-14). Some scholars believe that Jesus was born during Sukkot. Whenever He came to earth, I’m glad. Aren’t you?
Pure in Heart? Once again, we pull from the gourmet feast that is commonly known as Yeshua’s “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew chapters 5-7). Today’s verse is from the appetizer to that feast, known as the “Beatitudes.” Each Beatitude is a proverb-like proclamation, without narrative. Yet, if we read the whole beautiful “sermon” we see that it explains how to walk out the Torah.
Today’s verse: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This is more fully developed in several subsequent lessons such as:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that everyone who looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (vss. 27-28, TLV)
Jesus is saying, “It’s good that you’re not committing adultery.
But don’t get prideful. Because if your heart has impure thoughts about someone, then in our Father’s eyes, you’ve already committed adultery.”
Or, what about this one:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (vss. 43-45, TLV)
That’s a tough one, especially with His Jewish audience. For thousands of years, the Jewish people had been hated and persecuted. To keep them from being destroyed and/or assimilated into a pagan culture, GOD allowed them to fight their enemies. Now, their Messiah instructed them to cleanse their hearts of hatred and to love their enemies, to purify their hearts. Why? He was preparing them to go into the world to share the Good News (Matthew 28:19-20).
We all have impure hearts. Because we are redeemed children — covered by the blood of our Savior — we are acceptable in our Father’s eyes. However, our hearts still need a lot of work. As we have breakthroughs scrubbing out impurities, we will see our Father in a whole new way. And definitely have even more gratitude for Him sending His Son, gratitude for His Son sacrificing so much for us, and openness to the Holy Spirit. He will aid us in cleaning up other areas of our heart.
Seems like a good system, don’t you think?
May your heart be pure and may you see GOD in a whole new way. Chag Semeach!
Prayer Prompt for Israel
How lovely are Your tabernacles,
ADONAI-Tzva’ot! [The LORD of Hosts]
3 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of ADONAI.
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2-3, TLV
Abba, we long for You. We stand with and in the gap with Israel and all her people that they would crave You and Your presence. That in this season they would sing for joy—even if their hearts also cry out for protection from their enemies. In Yeshua’s Name.
