Daily Manna November 17th

Mountain Message Part 2

[Read MT 5:6-9; ACTS 4:13]

Jesus seized on the moment whenever possible. For example, when He was teaching out in a field He said, Consider the lilies of the field. See the birds, how your Father feeds them. They saw the flowers and birds nearby. And so it is again, when He hears stomachs growling, sees people looking in their bags for a piece of bread or a skin of water, the Master talks about those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst [are famished, craving, starving for, toiling for only daily bread] after righteousness, for they shall be filled [abundantly supplied, filled up, pastured, foddered, filled to gorging–no room left!]. This is parallel to His later statement on the mountain, Seek [crave, follow after] first [in priority, importance] the kingdom of G-d and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you increased, added additionally, accumulated and repeated]. This sounds to me like hungering, thirsting, and being filled!
• Blessed are the merciful [fully compassionate, actively compassionate by word and deed, by Divine grace], for they shall obtain mercy [same]. Mercy received and appreciated, means mercy extended.
• Blessed are the pure in heart [morally, ceremonially clean, expiated for atoned for, sin debt paid], for they shall see G-d. John says [REV 21:27], There shall by no means enter into it anything that defiles…but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
• Blessed are the peacemakers [those who do peaceful things, are peaceful, join together in peace], for they shall be called [clearly recognized as] sons of G-d. How much this reminds us of Jesus’ words about sending the Spirit to indwell them, and then His promise [JN 14:27]–Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled.

G-d’s part is giving His Spirit and His word, that men and women might have:

1. Eternal, spiritual food to crave, plus the ability to crave it.
2. They Shall be filled by Him. All these things shall be added to them. Our part is seeking…hungering after Him, emulating His merciful compassion. MT 9:36–He was moved with compassion upon the multitudes.

Our part is allowing the flow-through of His mercy, cleansing and peace to the world around us. Are you called [clearly recognized as] a son or daughter of G-ds? Wow, the pure in heart…see G-d!      

Selah…Shalom…