The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 5 February 2023 – Food For The Disciples
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TOPIC: Food For The Disciples
READ: Matthew 5: 1-12 (AMP)
- Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.
- Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
- Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
- Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!
- Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!
- Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!
- Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!
- Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous–possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!
- Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!
- Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
- Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.
- Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you.
THE MESSAGE:
Septuagesima marks nine weeks before Easter Sunday. After speaking to the multitude, Jesus went up into a mountain, sat down and having received His disciples, He started to teach them. The disciples here may include others outside the Twelve Apostles. They all benefited from this special teaching (this special dish) – the benefit of staying close to the Master. This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount which stretches to Matthew Chapter 7, The Sermon presents the way of righteous living for those who are in God’s family. It contrasts the new way with the old way of the Scribes and the Pharisees and shows the Kingdom Life. Those who adhere to the teachings shall be “Blessed.”
Mountains are not easy to climb. It is only the energetic that can climb them. To get special food or insight from Jesus, you must climb the mountain with Him and be very close to Him. This shall involve being prayerful, fasting and a deep study of the Word. Are you a disciple or among the multitude? You have to separate yourself from the crowd to dine with the Master.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, draw me closer to You as we climb the mountain together in Jesus’ name, Amen.
