This is a verse that would benefit everyone to have stored up in his/her heart. Jesus teaches us here that a godly standard of success looks a lot different than a worldly standard. He takes the worldly view and turns it on its head - flips it upside down. Christianity is no different today. If your standard of what it means to be a successful person doesn't include an element of what Jesus teaches below, it's time to reevaluate. Let us all take care to not ascribe to the world's standard. Instead, may we always pursue Jesus, even if it means mockery, discomfort, pain or even persecution.
Matthew 5:1-11
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Questions
1. Do you think most Christians have a Christlike standard of success?
2. How does our culture's view of success differ from Jesus'?
3. What will stick with you from this passage?
2 comments:
1. Do you think most Christians have a Christlike standard of success?
That's hard to say. I think there are alot of people who say they are Christians but do not really follow Jesus. However, those people that I know DO follow Jesus have very high standards and set a remarkable example. They are "hungry" and "thirsty" for the Lord, and they are merciful, and they are peacemakers.
2. How does our culture's view of success differ from Jesus'?
Our culture seems to measure success by monetary and materialistic values. Often I hear that "happiness" makes someone successful. But, the pursuit of happiness in America's terms doesn't even compare to the rewards of pursuing the Lord.
3. What will stick with you from this passage?
"12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
B/c it's really cool to think that we can relate directly to people of the Bible. I think that's awesome!
1. Do you think most Christians have a Christlike standard of success?
most..
hum...
maybe... maybe not..
i mean...
thinking about the fact that not all the people who say that they are Christians, but who truly do not believe, i think that those people will not the same standard of sucess.
2. How does our culture's view of success differ from Jesus'?
in a way that...
Jesus doesnt want us to follow anyone or anything but Him, but while society tells us that we had better go after something, or we had better make something of ourselves, but to Jesus, He doesnt care if we are the president of a company but all that Jesus is really concerned about is that we follow HIM!
3. What will stick with you from this passage?
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
that part means a bunch to me, because, i know that there are people out there, that all they want to do is just make trouble, and along w/ making troulbe, they will make fun of God, or say that God isnt real, and, to think that the reward of me not falling into that type of thing is heaven, that is a reassuring one!
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