OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
February 1, 2023
READ: Matthew 5:1–12
MEMORY VERSE
“Blessed are those who mourn.” Matthew 5:4
BACKGROUND
I received an email from a young man in England, a son who explained that his father (only sixty-three) was in the hospital in critical condition, hanging on to life.
Though we’d never met, his dad’s work and mine shared many intersections. The son, trying to cheer his father, asked me to send a video message of encouragement and prayer.
Deeply moved, I recorded a short message and a prayer for healing. I was told that his dad watched the video and gave a hearty thumbs-up. Sadly, a couple days later, I received another email telling me that he had died. He held his wife’s hand as he took his final breath.
My heart broke. Such love, such devastation. The family lost a husband and father far too soon. Yet it’s surprising to hear Jesus insist that it’s precisely these grieving ones who are blessed: “Blessed are those who mourn,” Jesus says (Matthew 5:4).
Jesus isn’t saying suffering and sorrow are good, but rather that God’s mercy and kindness pour over those who need it most.
Those overcome by grief due to death or even their own sinfulness are most in need of God’s attention and consolation—and Jesus promises us “they will be comforted” (v. 4).
God steps toward us, His loved children (v. 9). He blesses us in our tears.
By: Winn Collier
INSIGHT
Matthew records five major sections of Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 5–7; 10; 13; 18; 24–25). Matthew 5–7 is known as the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus taught it when he was “on a mountainside” (5:1) in Galilee (4:23). In this sermon, Christ teaches what it takes to be His disciple.
First, He describes the character (5:3–12) and then the conduct (5:13–7:29) of a believer in Jesus. Matthew 5:3–12 is known as the Beatitudes, so named because the Latin word for “blessed” or “happy” is beatus.
One author calls them the “Beautiful Attitudes.” Each of the eight beatitudes opens with the word blessed (makarios), which is translated “happy” in some versions.
But makarios has the basic meaning of “being approved by God” or “receiving God’s favor.” Those who’ve received God’s approval and favor are indeed blessed and have cause to be contented and joyful.
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
What places do you encounter sorrow in your story and in others’ stories? How does Jesus’ promise of blessing alter how you view this grief?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
How else can we experience His joy and be grateful when we have never experienced sorrow. pr
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“God steps toward us, His loved children… (and) He blesses us in our tears.”
PRAYER
“Dear God, when I’m awash in grief and sorrow, please help me to experience Your blessing even in the tears.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER”
When peace like a river,
Attendeth my way.
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet,
Though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ has regarded
My helpless estate,
And has shed His own blood,
For my soul.
It is well with my soul…
My sin oh,
The bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,
And I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
O my soul!
It is well with my soul…
O Lord, haste the day,
When my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound
And the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY THIS YEAR
EXODUS 27-28
MATTHEW 21: 1-22