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Advent Reflections – Even in the Waiting – Day 3

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December 5, 2023

The Beatitudes
20 And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice on that day and jump for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For their fathers used to treat the prophets the same way.

24 But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25 Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all the people speak well of you; for their fathers used to treat the false prophets the same way.

Luke 6:20-26 NASB

Day 3

When I look at the Beatitudes, I see four promises and four warnings. They look like opposites, but what Jesus is actually teaching us is how God’s kingdom operates. There’s a reason it’s referred to as an upside down kingdom. As we reflect on Jesus’s life, we find that he was always turning culture on its head. He went against the grain to stand for truth, justice, and mercy.

Reflection:

Think of a tough situation that you’re facing. What promises of God does your heart need to embrace in order to turn your view into a kingdom based perspective?

Sabrian Enoch

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