November 1, 2024
Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When Peter made the good confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). When was Peter in heaven? Peter was with Jesus, and where Jesus is, that’s where the blessings of heaven are.
To be “blessed” simply means God has acted and given you Jesus. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” because God has acted and given you Jesus. That is why the kingdom is yours.
“Blessed are those who mourn,” “blessed are the meek,” and “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” because God has acted and given them Jesus. That is why your tears will be wiped away as you inherit the earth, satisfied with the fulfillment of all God’s promises to you with Jesus.
“Blessed are the merciful,” “blessed are the pure in heart,” and “blessed are the peacemakers” because God has acted and given them Jesus. That is why, Jesus is why, you will receive mercy, see God, and be called a child of God.
And while apart from the first and last beatitudes, the ones in between are future blessings where neither moth nor rust can destroy or thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-21), they certainly are present blessings as well. It is just that one day, we will get to enjoy them in all their fullness. And that brings the beatitudes full circle.
In a world that wants nothing to do with Jesus as our righteousness before God, Christians suffer persecution. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,” and “blessed are you when others revile 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.”
Today, on All Saints Day, the Church remembers those who have gone before us in the Lord because “in Jesus” is where all the blessings of heaven are. You ask, “O, when the saints go marching in,” how do I know I will “be in that number?” The Jesus God has given you in His Word, in His Water, and at His Supper. That’s how. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia! Alleluia! (LSB 677:1)
-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.
Spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word throughout the Church Year with the Enduring Grace Journal. Includes scripture readings, prayers, prompts, and space for journaling. The Church Year Journal, Enduring Grace, now available from Concordia Publishing House.
