July 2021 Reflections
WitW: Do you interpret the Bible literally? I’m often asked as if no self-respecting adult would do such a thing. Of course, I do! Interpreting the Bible literally means interpreting it according to the way it was written.
23 Why Jesus Says You’re Blessed When Everyone Hates You (Matthew 5:10-16)
People marked by the being poor in spirit, mourning over sin, hungering for righteousness, pursuing peace and mercy, etc. will draw the hostility of the world, but they will be rewarded with eternal life in the kingdom of God. We, his disciples, are not to shrink from following Jesus for fear that the world might hate us. We are to follow him, even though that invites mocking, scoffing and persecution.
22 Why Peacemakers Inherit the Kingdom (Matthew 5:9)
Peacemakers commit the costly act of refusing to answer injury for injury and seeking a peaceful reconciliation instead will find their inheritance as children of God in the kingdom of heaven. When we realize how deeply we ourselves are indebted to God’s grace and dependent on His mercy, we also realize we’re in no position to condemn the sins of others.
immorality, porneia, G4202
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for immorality, porneia.
21 What does Pure in Heart Mean? (Matthew 5:8)
The pure in heart are not those who are morally perfect. Rather their hearts have been cleansed of rebellion and rejection of God. The pure in heart live like the gospel is true, though not perfectly. One day they will stand before God and be accepted.
stumble, skandalizō, G4624
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for stumble or fall away: skandalizō
comfort, parakaleō, G3870
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek verb for comfort, parakaleō G3870.
mercy, eleeó, G1653
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for mercy, ἐλεέω
20 Why Jesus Says Only the Merciful Will Receive Mercy (Matthew 5:7)
Only those will to commit the costly act of being merciful will receive mercy in the kingdom of God, because showing mercy is an implication of having saving faith.
June 2021 Reflections
Does God only bless? Many are willing to believe that God only blesses, but reject the idea that He also judges. A subtext of the beatitudes counters that idea.
19 What Jesus Means by “Blessed Are Those Who Hunger” (Matthew 5:6)
When you’re physically hungry, the desire to eat is so overwhelming you can hardly think about anything else. Jesus is counting on that experience in this beatitude. The truly fortunate ones long for that which is missing in this life which only the kingdom of God can fulfill: holiness.
18 Why Does God Bless the Meek? (Matthew 5:5)
While Matthew 5:5 is probably the most famous beatitude, not many people understand what it means. Jesus does not explain what he means by “meek”, but he is quoting Psalm 37 which gives us a very big clue.
About the Author
Krisan Marotta is a Bible teacher and host of Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.