2023_04_14 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- Exodus 19-20, Matthew 5
Jesus gives his inaugural address in Matthew 5 and shows that his kingdom will be different from all the others. With Jesus as your king:
When you are poor in spirit, the kingdom is yours.
When you mourn, you will be comforted.
If you are meek, you will inherit the earth.
If you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you will be filled.
When you are merciful, you will be shown mercy.
If you are pure in heart, you will see God.
If you are a peacemaker, you will be called a son of God.
When you are persecuted because of your faith, the kingdom of heaven is yours.
If I lived out this teaching, others would see the evidence of God in my life. If I am going through a hard time, where do I turn? Would others see me turning towards things that numb my pain? Or towards Jesus, my source of comfort? If I am in an unfair situation, would others see me showing mercy in that moment? Or would they see me as needing to be right to serve my own ego? How we live out the kingdom gives others the chance to see who Jesus is.
Jesus then goes on to say, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14). This is a big statement seeing as in John 8:12, Jesus says: “I am the light of the world,” but it is Jesus’ light, not ours, that shines for others to see. Just like the Beatitudes, if I am plugged into Jesus as my power source, I will act differently from the world and will live out the gospel. In all this, my spirit must be willing because I can turn off my lamp if I choose. Maybe a prayer for today is simply, “Lord, make me willing.” Jesus will not act against our will but always invites us to be in communion with Him.
“Let your light shine before men, so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead