Matthew 5 part 2

Matthew Chapter 5 part 2

In part one, Matthew 5: 1-8 was discussed. In this week’s study we continue where we left off.

“[9] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
[10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven.
[11] Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
[12] Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The Peacemakers

These four verses are closely related in my opinion. But let’s start with “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” It’s important to understand that there is a difference in being a creation of God, and a child of God. All things are God’s creation and all people are created in God’s image, however not everyone is a child of God.

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: ‘About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.’ And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad – in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls – she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9: 6-16)

I love the concept of ‘children of promise’ here. Paul quotes Genesis 21:12 when he says, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” If you read Genesis 21 you’ll see an interesting story unfold here between two children; both are children of Abraham but one is the child of promise. Instead of waiting for God’s promise of Isaac, Abraham, at the insistence of his wife he impregnates the slave Hagar and has the son Ishmael. Then, God’s word is true and Sarah gave Abraham, Isaac. In Genesis 21:12, Sarah is wanting Ishmael to be banished so that Abraham’s blessed inheritance can go 100% to Isaac. Two children: the child of the flesh, and the child of faith. Who gets the promise? Who is called a child of God?

Here’s an interesting passage in regards to God’s family tree.

“If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.” (Romans 11: 16-23)

Here is a fascinating truth. Through the love of Christ Jesus was are allowed to be called children of God. In Him we are “grafted” into the family tree. Blessed are the peacemakers.

While we’re on the subject of peacemakers and in Romans…

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, ever knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14: 1-12)

To me this speaks powerfully to denominational squabbles or inter-Christian conflicts. But for another look at keeping the peace let’s visit Corinth.

“I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud – even your own brothers!” (1 Corinthians 6: 5-8)

I believe this passage to be related to Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." It would seem an obvious theme of the teaching of Christ is humbleness, humility, meekness, all of which would lead to peacekeeping, which may be brought about by self-controlled. In fact “self-controlled” is used five time in the first two chapters of the letter to Titus.

The Persecuted and the Reviled

Just for a repeat, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Blessed are you when you pick up the cross for Christ. You are blessed when the world doesn’t understand you, and doesn’t relate to you anymore. It may be the greatest sign that you’re going in the right direction.

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties; and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4: 1-5)

Be happy when the world is against you for the world was against Jesus. “Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it they it’s works are evil.’” (John 7: 6-7) Or, “The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1) Or, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” (1 John 3: 13)

“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a god conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3: 13-17)

Therefore when you are reviled or persecuted the ultimate chance for witnessing become available.

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