Beatitudes

In my personal devotions I was reading the beatitudes in Matthew 5. I was reading them just as I have 100 times before (that may be a slight exaggeration lol), when I started thinking differently about what they said. Often we see them almost like a bargain: do this, get that. And I have tended to think of these blessings as something we receive on earth. However, this time as I was reading, I realized that most (if not all) of them are blessings for the life to come.

Matthew 5:2-12

And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Some may be for this life. But many of them don’t seem to be. “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven… They shall inherit the earth… They shall see God… For great is your reward in heaven…”

I find it comforting to think that we won’t always get our rewards on earth because a heavenly reward will be so much greater than anything we could receive here!