Matthew 5:1-8
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Why should we be pure? Is it just so we can avoid feelings of shame? The beautitudes point to another, deeper reason: "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (verse 8). Purity enables us to see clearer. Our sin is like a dirty, scratched pair of glasses that clouds our vision. It is hard to see what is really happening when we are distracted by the blotchy marks on our glasses. Once the glasses are clean, we can suddenly see much better. When we are pure, it is suddenly easier to see and hear God. This should be an encouragement and hope for all of us.
Lord, help me to be pure, and to see You.
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Why should we be pure? Is it just so we can avoid feelings of shame? The beautitudes point to another, deeper reason: "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (verse 8). Purity enables us to see clearer. Our sin is like a dirty, scratched pair of glasses that clouds our vision. It is hard to see what is really happening when we are distracted by the blotchy marks on our glasses. Once the glasses are clean, we can suddenly see much better. When we are pure, it is suddenly easier to see and hear God. This should be an encouragement and hope for all of us.
Lord, help me to be pure, and to see You.