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Lessons from Christ

By Thomas Craig

Real Estate Agent with KW at the Parks 651506396

April 14, 2011 01:07 AM

Today's blog is a continuation of the previous two days, in which I talked to my children about the important lessons Christ offers to all of us.

What's really interesting is that Jesus was born into a poor, "normal", everyday family. Again, God could have selected anybody on the face of the Earth to be the mother of Jesus. I think there's a real point being made here, we are called to not overlook people. We get so busy with our own lives that we never "see" many of the people we encounter. People are turned into props in the background of our lives. Jesus calls on us to take a minute, slow down enough to see that those "props" are people. In Matthew 5, we find the Beatitudes...When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them by saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

"Blessed are those who hungerand thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Reading the above, it's pretty clear that Jesus is asking us to not be afraid to stand up for what is right, even if it is unpopular...for, at some point, things will be made fair. Your life has to have meaning; it is more than just accumulating wealth, and status.

In conclusion, I am going to end this chapter with the following scripture. It is from Thessalonians 2:13...But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, brothers and sisters,stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.

To be continued...

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Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Blessed are the meek... a challenge for many of us. Life is indeed more than accumulating wealth and status - Amen!

Apr 14, 2011 01:13 AM

Paul Walker

Equity Fifty Five Realty, LLC - Scott AFB, IL

Scott AFB IL Area Realtor

Very nice post Thomas!

There is a progression in these be-attitudes. We have to realize we are poor in spirit before we can come to Christ. We are born in the world naked without any possessions and in need to be taken care of and loved, and born into a sinful world passed down to us. Once we realize we are sinners in our own right, then we should be "mournful" over these sins. If we are then we realize we are all "sinners" in need of grace, and are then made to be or realize our need to be "meek". Once we have meek spirits within us, then we are ready to be hungry and seek His righteousness. Knowing that Christ came to give us His righteousness and He showed great mercy towards us as sinners, we are called to extend that mercy to others, those how are in prison, downtrodden, the poor and the needy. As we learn to serve Christ, we are doing this with a "pure heart", a heart bent towards showing the love of Christ and not from our own goodness. When we serve Christ with goodness, there will be many trials we will face. Our own families and friends will not understand and we need to "peacekeeping" and realize that many just will never understand our devotion to Christ.

Just as Christ was doing good to the blind, the poor, the tax collectors and sinners. He faced the Pharisees, the Sanhedrin's, and the Sadducee's who plotted to kill him. And as Paul was spreading the gospel message He faced jail, and beatings. So likewise we will face many trials, but we are to be "peacemakers" and to be willing to face persecution for the Truth of the Gospel, which we know will divide many, who are blind to the truth. But greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world!

Apr 14, 2011 04:43 AM

Bob & Bonnie Horning

Mount Joy, PA

Very good Word. Counting it all as joy is definitely key. Believe it or not, I was once one who thought we were just an accidental cosmic happening... from the goo to you. After meeting the King of Kings and coming to know Him... I still can't believe I was that foolish for so long! Also, Jesus was not born into any ordinary family, He was born into a family that had many royals in the bloodline, starting with father Abraham, to David, Solomon, Asa, Jehosaphat, Asa, Hezekiah and on and on. He was born to be the King of all Kings. Blessings.

Apr 14, 2011 06:28 AM

Thomas Craig

KW at the Parks - Orlando, FL

What has been so wonderful with this exercise is the knowledge I have picked up from all of you who have taken the time to write back to me. I love Paul's comments about the progression of the Beatitudes. I never thought of it that way...really profound.

Bob, perhaps when I was referring to Mary and Joesph, I should have used another word instead of "ordinary". I was trying to point out that they came out of ordinary circumstances...not that they were ordinary people. I once thought I came from cosmic goo too!

Apr 14, 2011 07:54 AM

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