INCLUSIVITY > EXCLUSIVITY
“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “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.”
Matthew 5:1-12
In Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus presents a radical redefinition of who belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven by challenging the prevailing religious and societal norms. By proclaiming that the Kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers, Jesus contradicts the expectations of the religious elite, who maintained that strict adherence to the Law was the key to entering the Kingdom. This revolutionary message, delivered through the Beatitudes, welcomed individuals who were marginalized or deemed unworthy by societal standards, signaling a profound shift in our understanding of spiritual worthiness. The Pharisees, as the gatekeepers of religious law, were particularly unsettled by Jesus’ inclusivity. They had long held that access to the Kingdom required strict legal compliance and piety, but Jesus’ teaching overturned this notion. Instead, He extended the Kingdom’s invitation to those who recognized their own inadequacies and sought righteousness, rather than those who merely conformed to outward religious practices. This new approach highlighted the Kingdom’s openness to the broken-hearted and the outcasts, challenging the Pharisees’ rigid control and redefining who could be part of God’s Kingdom.
“I am but a beggar who is showing other beggars where to find bread.”
Martin Luther
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the radical redefinition of Your Kingdom, presented by Your Son, Jesus Christ. He challenged the religious elite and extended Your Kingdom’s invitation to the marginalized and the outcasts. Help us to embrace this inclusive vision of Your Kingdom. May we break free from preconceived notions and see all people as Your beloved children, worthy of Your love and grace. Grant us the courage to challenge societal norms that exclude and marginalized. Empower us to speak up for the oppressed and to advocate for justice and equality. As men in the Counter Kingdom, may we be known for our compassion and our commitment to building a more inclusive and just world.
In Jesus' name, Amen
This devotional is from Counter Kingdom, the newest Patros Video series. It’s officially out!
You can get access to the whole series plus additional men’s discipleship resources for free at patros.us.