Blessings

“Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.

 

Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled.

 

Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh." (Luke 6:20b – 21)

Luke’s verse does not reference what the hunger is for – but in context we see those who are poor, then whatever their poverty is, might point to the place of hunger. Matthews’s poverty is of spirit and his hunger is for righteousness.  So we might reasonably concede that the hunger referenced here is that of a truly holy life. 

Paul speaks of this desire in Romans 7:13-25.  If we are true Christians we will desire for, hunger after holy living or holiness.  Such holiness that we cannot attain completely in this body, and in this life – but in our glorified body and in the world to come – there we shall be filled, satisfied with the Lord!
This does not mean we are thoroughly destitute however. But a complete satisfactions here is very much a daily work of confession and denial of the flesh.  We long for the day when Christ's cry, "It is finished" (John 19:30) is true for us in the body.  Theological truths are a blessing and our place before the Lord is established - for the work of Christ is complete.  Imputed righteousness is sure.  For the One who imputes is sure and He does not change.

Yet while we live - we must do so in faith, and in trust and ever fighting the good fight of faith -  for our bodies still contain the principle of sin until we ourselves are perfected in death and risen in glorified bodies (Phil 3:12-16)

"Blessed are you when men hate you,

    And when they exclude you,

    And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,

    For the Son of Man’s sake.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!

    For indeed your reward is great in heaven,

           For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets." (Luke 6:22 – 23)

The blessings in verse 22 are reserved for a class of people whose grief is not general in nature, but directly attached to the 'sake of the Son of Man"

If men hate you because of your bitter spirit while witnessing Christ -

It is to your loss.

If men exclude you because of your spiritual pride as you defend the Lord -

It is to your loss.

If men revile you and call you evil because of your fatalistic stand on God -

It is to your loss.

Your disposition must be sweet, without pride, seeking only the best for those around and yet exalting the righteousness of the Lord, and men hate you and exclude you and call you evil, THEN you are blessed, though now it be in tears.  But be of good cheer, for we know that He Himself will wipe away every tear (Rev. 21:4)

Lord - Make your name great by my life. 

Amen.