Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The Beatitudes - Lesson 9: Those Who Have Been Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake

The Beatitudes
Lesson 9: Those Who Have Been Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake


Matthew 5:10-12 [10] Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [11] “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.


PERSECUTED
Harassed by troubles or punishments unjustly inflicted, particularly for religious opinions.

"persecuted." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/persecuted (24 June 2014).


The main points for this lesson:

Remember, beatitude means happy or blessed. Jesus is telling us the way to true happiness and blessedness. The beatitudes teach us who will be happy and why that person will be happy.

Persecuted for righteousness' sake. Jesus says that those who suffer for doing what is good and right, for living obediently to God, will be blessed. This suffering may include false accusations, physical mistreatment, imprisonment, and even death. The Bible records many examples of those who suffered for living a righteous life. Since the time of the apostles, even to today, many Christians have suffered for Jesus' sake. The apostle Peter reminds us that if we suffer for the name of Jesus, we are blessed, but also exhorts us saying, “let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters” (1 Peter 4:14-15).

Remember those who are being persecuted. God reminds us as well that we should remember and care for those who are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness. We can remember and care for them through our constant prayer for them, and also through practical help when possible, such as providing for their needs. In some (perhaps many) cases, it may mean helping the families of those enduring persecution (or who have endured). Such families may have lost a father or mother, a husband or wife. Let us remember those who are in bonds, as though bound with them (Hebrews 13:3).

All the beatitudes involve choice on our part. We must make the initial choice to, for example, be pure in heart. Then, we must daily make choices to pursue purity of heart, by putting out the evil and taking in the good. This last beatitude is not different. What are the choices (both initial and ongoing) in this case? We must choose to pursue righteousness and live righteously before God and men. We must choose to treasure the Kingdom of Heaven and its rewards far above any earthly treasure or comfort. Finally, we must choose, especially when persecution comes, to endure faithfully to the end, fearing and trusting God and not fearing man.

Happy and blessed? Jesus says that those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake will be happy and blessed. He even says they should rejoice and be glad. Why? The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Their reward in heaven is great. If we love the world and the things in it, if we count the passing pleasures and treasures of the world of great value, we cannot know the blessedness of suffering for Jesus' sake, for we will not value or desire the promised reward of persecution. Moses suffered ill treatment with the people of God (Hebrews 11:24-26). He looked to the reward, and was received by God at last. Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame (Hebrews 12:2). He looked to the joy set before him, and has now sat down at the right hand of God. While some who suffer for righteousness' sake are freed or even exalted in this life, that is not the case with everyone, and perhaps not with most. God makes no promise regarding the end of persecution in this life. He offers a great promise for the next life to those who are persecuted for Jesus' sake in this life.

Suffering and humility. The first beatitude concerned being poor in spirit. That has everything to do with this beatitude. To suffer for righteousness' sake, we must have a proper view of earthly wealth and possessions. Again, we must have humility. In Jesus' suffering, he gave us no example of pride or malice to imitate. Instead we see patient and humble endurance.


Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Read Matthew 5:10-12 with the children.

Give the children a simple explanation of what it means to be persecuted for righteousness' sake. It means to suffer for doing what is right and good.

Read (or tell) the stories of the apostles (Acts 5:12-42), King Asa and Hanani the seer (2 Chronicles 16:1-10), and Paul and Silas (Acts 16:16-40). As you read with them, you can ask the children such questions as: Who was persecuted in this story and how? Why were they persecuted? How did they respond to those who persecuted them (ie. with anger, kindness, patience)? Why do you think they were willing to endure such persecution? What happened at the end of the story to the person or people who were persecuted?

You could ask the children to think of as many people from the Bible who were persecuted. Write out the list to see how many they think of. Near the end of this lesson is a list of those persecuted in the Bible.

Read 2 Timothy 3:12. Ask the children briefly what it means to live godly in Christ Jesus. Remind them that this is a promise of God: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” This is the path to entering the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.


Stories:

Acts 5:12-42 [40] They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [41] They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. [42] Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
The apostles obeyed God by preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. For this reason they were beaten and threatened. It seems that they understood and practiced Jesus' words about those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. On the one hand they rejoiced when they were persecuted. On the other hand, we find no pride or defiance in their attitudes, but rather humility. Further, the apostles trusted in God (Proverbs 29:25) and did not fear what man could do and did do to them, but were faithful unto death.

2 Chronicles 16:1-10 – King Asa puts Hanani the seer in prison.
Asa began his reign as a king who did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. He removed the idols from the land, and commanded the people to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 14:2-5). In the tenth year of his reign, Asa cried to God for help when the Ethiopian army came against them. God gave a great deliverance (2 Chronicles 14:11-12). In the 36th year of his reign, King Baasha came against him (2 Chronicles 16:1). Rather than call to God for help, Asa sought help from the king of Syria. Hanani the seer came to Asa and rebuked him and told him the consequences for trusting in man instead of God. Rather than humbly confess his sin, King Asa became very angry and threw Hanani the seer in prison. Hanani is one of many examples of Jesus' words, “that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12).

Acts 16:16-40 [20] When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, [21] and advocate customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” [22] The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. [23] When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, [24] who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.
In Philippi, the apostle Paul and those with him taught men about the narrow path that leads to life. When Paul cast a troublesome but profitable (for some) demon out of a slave girl, it was too much for the masters of the slave girl to bear. Paul and Silas were falsely accused, beaten and locked in prison. They did not give up. Trusting in God, they endured their sufferings for righteousness' sake by praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25). God used their patient endurance in persecution to bring salvation to the jailer and his family.


More Stories and Examples:

Genesis 4:1-12 [1] The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.” [2] Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [3] As time passed, Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground. [4] Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering, [5] but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. [6] Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? [7] If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” [8] Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him. [9] Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” [10] Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground. [11] Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. [12] From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth.”
Matthew 23:34-35 [34] Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city; [35] that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.
1 John 3:11-15 [11] For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; [12] unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. [13] Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. [15] Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.
In Genesis 4, we read the story of Cain killing Abel. The apostles taught us that Abel was killed for the sake of righteousness.

Job 1-2
Job was a righteous man (Job 1:8). He was persecuted by Satan because he feared God and turned away from evil. At least two things stand out regarding Job's persecution in this story. First, it was not clear to Job or his friends that he was being persecuted for the sake of righteousness. He did not understand why God would send such sufferings upon him. Second, even amidst questions and uncertainty, through his trials Job was faithful to the Lord.

1 Kings 19:1-3
After God sent down fire from heaven, and Elijah slew the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:38-40), Jezebel let Elijah know that she would quickly put him to death.

2 Kings 1:1-18
In this story, it appears that King Ahaziah intended to capture and perhaps mistreat Elijah. In this instance, God protected the prophet Elijah.

Jeremiah 38:1-13,14-23
Jeremiah the prophet spoke God's word to the people. He showed them the way to live and not die. For doing this, Jeremiah was let down into a muddy cistern/dungeon. He sank in the mud and was left there to die. After he was rescued out of the mire, Jeremiah did not give up, but continued to serve God and his people by speaking to them the words from God.

2 Samuel 11:1-15
David had Uriah the Hittite killed. If Uriah had been selfish, or had been willing to please and satisfy his own flesh, David would not have touched him. In this sense, Uriah was put to death for righteousness' sake.

1 Kings 22:1-28; 2 Chronicles 18:1-27
Micaiah the prophet was persecuted by King Ahab.

2 Chronicles 24:1-2,17-25
God sent Zechariah the son of Jehoiada to turn the people back to God. They would not listen, but put Zechariah to death in the court of God's temple with the approval of King Joash.

Acts 6-7
This is the story of Stephen, his persecution and death.

Acts 9:1-31
Paul was first going to Damascus to persecute the Christians there. After his repentance and turning to God, he was persecuted in Damascus and also in Jerusalem.

Acts 12:1-19
The apostle James (the brother of John) was put to death by Herod, who then planned to kill the apostle Peter.

Acts 13:50; 14:1-7,19
Paul & Barnabas were persecuted on their first journey: 13:50 (Antioch in Pisidia); 14:1-7 (Iconium); 14:19 (Lystra).

Hebrews 11:24-26 [24] By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [25] choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time; [26] accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

Hebrews 11:35-38 [35] Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. [36] Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. [37] They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated [38] (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.

2 Maccabees 6:18-31 – Eleazar the scribe is persecuted unto death for the sake of righteousness.

2 Maccabees 7:1-42 – A mother and her sons are persecuted unto death for the sake of righteousness.


Other Verses:

Psalm 37:12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

Matthew 10:16-42 [16] “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. [17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. [18] Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
[22] You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. [23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.
[28] Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
[32] Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. [33] But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
[38] He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. [39] He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
I have only shown a few of the verses from this portion in Matthew. The whole section has much to do with persecution for righteousness' sake.

Mark 10:29-31 [29] Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, [30] but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last; and the last first.”

Luke 6:22-23,26-30 [22] Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. [23] Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets. [26] Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets. [27] “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. [29] To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.

Luke 21:10-19 [10] Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [11] There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. [12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. [13] It will turn out as a testimony for you. [14] Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, [15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. [16] You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. [17] You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. [18] And not a hair of your head will perish. [19] “By your endurance you will win your lives.

John 15:17-25 [17] “I command these things to you, that you may love one another. [18] If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me. [22] If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. [23] He who hates me, hates my Father also. [24] If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father. [25] But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’

Acts 14:21-22 [21] When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, [22] confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God.
An important part of the message preached by Paul and Barnabas (important enough to include in Acts) concerned persecution and afflictions.

Romans 8:35-39 [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” [37] No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 1:27-30 [27] Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; [28] and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. [29] Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, [30] having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-7 [3] We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds; [4] so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure. [5] This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. [6] Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, [7] and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,

2 Timothy 2:11-13 [11] This saying is faithful: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. [12] If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. [13] If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.”

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 [6] For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. [8] From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
In other, earlier epistles, the apostle Paul wrote of pursuing, of pressing on toward the goal. He wrote that he had not yet attained or been made perfect (Philippians 3:12-14). This last epistle (as we assume) has a different word. The apostle now has a confidence regarding the judgment. Why? Perhaps two reasons (among others) may be given. Jesus and the apostles taught that he who endures to the end shall be saved. Paul had endured faithfully to the end. The time of his death had come. His confidence may also have come as a result of the reason of his death. He was being put to death because he walked in obedience to the almighty God as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for Jesus' sake. While the apostle had been persecuted many times, it was perhaps the combination of these two reasons that gave him the willingness to speak confidently of the crown of righteousness now stored up for him.

Hebrews 10:32-39 [32] But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings; [33] partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. [34] For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. [35] Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. [36] For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. [37] “In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait. [38] But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” [39] But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
The people to whom the writer of the Hebrews wrote knew about this beatitude (Matthew 5:10-12). They both endured sufferings themselves, and cared for those who were suffering persecutions. These Christians were reproached and oppressed. Their property and possessions was taken from them. They endured knowing that they had a better and lasting possession in the heavens.

Hebrews 13:3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.
We are exhorted to remember others who are persecuted, whether imprisoned or mistreated. We ought to remember them in our constant prayers, as well as in practical care and help for them and for their family.

1 Peter 3:13-18 [13] Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” [15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: [16] having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ. [17] For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. [18] Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
The apostle Peter counsels up regarding persecution and preparation for it.

1 Peter 4:12-19 [12] Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. [13] But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. [15] For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. [16] But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. [17] For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God? [18] “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?” [19] Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
The apostle Peter offers encouragement, comfort, and exhortation to God's people regarding persecution.

Revelations 2:8-11 [8] “To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: [9] “I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. [10] Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. [11] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.

LIST OF THOSE PERSECUTED IN BIBLE

  1. Old Testament
    1. Abel (Genesis 4:3-12; Matthew 23:34-35; Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12) – killed by his brother Cain
    2. Joseph (Genesis 39) – imprisoned for refusing to sin against God
    3. Caleb & Joshua (Numbers 14:6-10) – when they exhorted the people to enter the land
    4. Job – he was blameless and upright
    5. David – persecuted by King Saul
    6. Elijah (1 Kings 17-19) – Ahab, Jezebel persecuted
    7. Micaiah the son of Imlah (1 Kings 22:26-27) – imprisoned by Ahab for speaking the message from God
    8. Hanani the Seer (2 Chronicles 16:10) – put in prison by King Asa
    9. Zechariah tthe son of Jehoiada the priest (2 Chronicles 24:21) – King Joash commanded to stone him
    10. Jeremiah – put into well to die; prison; etc.
    11. Three friends of Daniel (Daniel 3) – fiery furnace
    12. Daniel (Daniel 6) – lions’ den
  2. Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books
    1. Susanna (Daniel 13) – persecuted for standing fast in righteousness
    2. Eleazar the Scribe (2 Maccabees 6:18-31) – refused to disobey God’s command
    3. Mother with seven sons (2 Maccabees 7) – refused to disobey God’s command
  3. New Testament
    1. John the Baptist – Herod put in prison
    2. Jesus – suffered under Pontius Pilate
    3. Peter & John (Acts 3-4) – threatened by the leaders of Jerusalem for healing and teaching in Jesus’ name
    4. Apostles (Acts 5)
    5. Stephen (Acts 6-7)
    6. Church in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1)
    7. Saul/Paul – in Damascus
    8. Apostle James (Acts 12:1-2)
    9. Apostle Peter (Acts 12:1-19)
    10. Barnabas & Paul (Acts 13:50; 14) – in Antioch of Pisidia; and other places on first missionary journey
    11. Paul (Acts 14:19) – stoned at Lystra
    12. Paul & Silas (Acts 16) – in Philippi beaten and but in prison
    13. Jason and some of the brothers (Acts 17:6) – dragged out in Thessalonica
    14. Apostle Paul (Acts 21:27 – Acts 28:31) – Paul persecuted in Jerusalem
    15. Hebrews (Hebrews 10:32-34) – mocking, oppression, loss of possessions
    16. Apostle John (Revelation 1:9) – exiled to isle called Patmos

ADDITIONAL READING

Polycarp was a bishop in the church in Smyrna. He wrote an epistle and was put to death for his faith. It is said that he sat at the feet of the apostle John. He is often referred to as an early church father. An account of his death was written and passed on and is known today as The Martyrdom of Polycarp. I recommend reading account.


Monday, June 16, 2014

The Beatitudes - Lesson 8: The Peacemakers

The Beatitudes
Lesson 8: The Peacemakers


Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.


Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.


PEACEMAKER
One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matt.5.

"peacemaker." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/peacemaker (12 June 2014).


The main points for this lesson:

Remember, beatitude means happy or blessed. Jesus is telling us the way to true happiness and blessedness. The beatitudes teach us who will be happy and why that person will be happy.

What is a peacemaker? A peacemaker seeks to preserve, create, or restore peace. This may be between himself and another, as Abram desired to preserve peace with Lot (Genesis 13); it may be between two other people, as Moses tried to restore peace between two Israelites who were fighting (Acts 7:26); it may be between another person and God, as the apostles lead sinners to be reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5:20). Jesus was a peacemaker in all these ways. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus sought to reconcile men with God, and he brought peace between men who were otherwise enemies.

How to be a peacemaker. While it may (or may not) include saying, “We shouldn't fight,” being a peacemaker is much more. It must include our heart and actions. What is found in the heart of a peacemaker: not pride, but humility; not pride, but patience; not greed or covetousness, but contentment and giving; not hatred, but love; not malice, but forgiveness; not being quick to anger but being slow to anger. From such a heart, what are the actions of a peacemaker: not harsh words, but gentle answers; not outbursts of anger, but gentle corrections; not gossip nor whisperings, but speaking the truth in love, and remaining silent when appropriate.

God does not ask us to call good bad or bad good in order to preserve peace. Righteousness and peace go hand in hand as the prophets tell us (Psalm 85:10; Isaiah 32:17). We may need to talk with someone about their sin in order to bring peace (Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-4). We may need to look at, confess and deal with our own sin in order to bring peace (Matthew 5:23-26). Jesus never excused sin in order to bring peace. He spoke plainly about sin, and called men to repent. Jesus shows us what it really means to be a peacemaker in that he gave up his own life to bring us peace with God by dying on the cross, not to excuse sins, but to justify and forgive all those who repent and turn to God.

Why will peacemakers be happy and blessed? The apostles wrote about God as the “God of peace” (2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 13:20). Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). When we were his enemies, God, as a peacemaker, was is Christ, reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). God's people are commanded to seek peace, pursue peace, and follow after peace. When we pursue peace from a pure heart, we are imitating God. It is God who himself calls peacemakers his sons. This is a great cause for rejoicing. Jesus taught that we shouldn't rejoice in outward signs of spiritual power, but should rejoice that our names are written in heaven (Luke 17:20). Surely the peacemakers are those whom the God of hope will fill with all joy and peace in believing (Romans 15:13).


Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Read Matthew 5:9 with the children.

Give the children a simple explanation of what it means to be a peacemaker. A peacemaker tries to preserve, make, or restore peace between people. Sometimes he may be one of those people, sometimes not. Sometimes he may try to help someone find peace with God.

Read (or tell) the stories about Abraham (Genesis 13:1-18) and Moses (Exodus 2:11-15). Ask the children how they were or were not peacemakers. Ask what it cost Abraham to be a peacemaker?

Also read (or tell) the story of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:1-19). This story, along with the story of Abram (Genesis 13:1-18) relate to the apostle Paul's exhortation to be at peace with all men as much as is possible with us (Romans 12:18). Abram shows a positive example of this but giving Lot the first choice. Rehoboam provides a negative illustration in his refusal to do his part to be at peace with the people. Ask the children as you read the story of Rehoboam who in this story were peacemakers and who were not, and how they were or weren't peacemakers.

Talk about Jesus as a peacemaker. He made peace between us and God, and also between different people who were enemies before. How did he do this? He suffered and gave his own life as a peacemaker to bring peace. If possible, help the children to understand that this is what it means to be a peacemaker.

You can play a game with the first list of proverbs (under the heading below “Causing Strife, Bringing Peace”). Make two columns: Causes Quarrels; Bring Peace. Read the proverbs. As you read through each one, ask what should go in each column from that proverb. (Include James 1:19-21 in the list.)

You can ask the children to solve a riddle. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Jesus also said, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Ask the children how could Jesus say both of these things?

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.


Stories:

Genesis 13:1-18
Abraham makes peace with Lot when he tells him he can choose whatever land he wants. Abraham valued peace with Lot more than possessing a certain piece of land.

Exodus 2:11-15 [11] In those days, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his brothers, and looked at their burdens. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers. [12] He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one, he killed the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. [13] He went out the second day, and behold, two men of the Hebrews were fighting with each other. He said to him who did the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow?” [14] He said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you plan to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses was afraid, and said, “Surely this thing is known.” [15] Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and lived in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.
Acts 7:26 “The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’
Moses tries to make peace between two Israelites. His attempt at peacemaking does not succeed. Perhaps there are a few reasons for this. On one hand, one of the men may not have wanted peace. On the other hand, it is possible that Moses was not a peacemaker in his heart yet, as seen by how he resolved the previous fight between the Egyptian and the Hebrew.

1 Kings 12:1-19 – This is the story of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. The people came to make him king, but first asked him to lighted their burden. Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, and so lost most of the tribes of Israel from his kingdom.
Rehoboam was unwilling to be at peace with the children of Israel as much as was possible with himself. Though he was given wise counsel, he refused the counsel that would have brought peace to the kingdom. Instead, he spoke harshly and fulfilled the proverb (Proverbs 15:1) that a harsh word stirs up anger. Most of the tribes forsook Rehoboam and chose Jeroboam as their new king.


More Stories and Examples:

Genesis 32:1-33:17
Jacob makes peace with his brother Esau when returning from Laban. He sends gifts ahead and comes behind with humility.

Genesis 45:1-15
Joseph makes peace with his brothers. He does not seek revenge, but seeks peace.

2 Samuel 14:1-24
Absalom killed his brother Amnon in revenge, and then he fled to another country. Joab saw that King David longed for his son Absalom. He was peacemaker in this difficult situation between David and Absalom. However, in reading the story, we find that the peace made was incomplete, for Absalom's blood-guilt was not removed or atoned for. While Absalom was allowed to return to the land of Israel, he was not allowed to see the King's face (2 Samuel 14:24).

Philippians 4:2-3 [2] I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. [3] Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
It seems that Euodia and Syntyche may have not been getting along. The apostle Paul encourages them to be at peace, and also asks another person to help them as a peacemaker.


Other Verses:

CAUSING STRIFE, BRINGING PEACE

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Here is a practical way to pursue peace with others.

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
One part of being a peacemaker is to avoid gossip, both the hearing and the spreading of gossip. See also Proverbs 26:20.

Proverbs 17:9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

Proverbs 18:18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

Proverbs 20:3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

Proverbs 26:20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

Proverbs 28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.

James 1:19-20 [19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.


QUICK TO ANGER, SLOW TO ANGER

Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

Proverbs 16:32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

James 1:19-20 [19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.


CHRIST AS A PEACEMAKER

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 53:4-5 [4] Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
Jesus was a peacemaker for us. It cost him a great deal to make peace. He bore our sickness and carried our suffering, he was pierced, crushed, punished and wounded, all to bring us peace.

Romans 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jesus came to make peace for us with God. We and God were at variance. Jesus humbled himself to be a servant of men. He suffered and died on the cross. All this was to reconcile us to God. Christians have peace with God because Jesus was willing to be a peacemaker.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 [18] But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
God reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-19 [11] Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision”, (in the flesh, made by hands); [12] that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, [15] having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; [16] and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. [17] He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,
Christ is our peace in two ways in this passage. He is our peace with God. At the same time, he broke down the barrier between Jew and Gentile, so that in Christ they could be united as one.


GENERAL VERSES RELATED TO BEING A PEACEMAKER AND PEACE

Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Psalm 133:1-3 [1] See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! [2] It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that came down on the edge of his robes; [3] like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more.

Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

Isaiah 57:19-21 [19] I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.” [20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can’t rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt. [21] “There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.”
God brings peace, but there is no peace for the wicked. That is, those who will not repent, but choose to go on in sin, will not find peace with God. No peacemaker can bring peace to one who will not turn from their sin and evil ways.

Matthew 5:23-26 [23] “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [25] Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. [26] Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.
God desires his people to live together in love and unity. It is so important to God, that if someone has hurt that love and unity by hurting his neighbor, he should first be reconciled to his brother and then come and worship God.

Matthew 12:48-50 [48] But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” [49] He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
The family of Jesus (and thus the children of God) are those who do the will of the Father in heaven. Jesus said that peacemakers will be called sons of God (by God if by no one else). Surely then being a peacemaker is a very important part of God's will for the people of God.

Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Romans 12:16-21 [16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. [19] Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [21] Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 14:17-19 [17] for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. [18] For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. [19] So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 [18] But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The apostle Paul (and others) was given a ministry of reconciliation, to call me to be reconciled to God. Another way to put this is to say that the apostle Paul was called to be a peacemaker between God and men. He called men to be at peace with God, by declaring everywhere that men should repent and turn to God and bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance (Acts 26:20).

Philippians 4:2-3 [2] I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. [3] Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Hebrews 12:14-15 [14] Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, [15] looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it;

James 3:13-18 [13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [18] Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 4:1-2 [1] Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? [2] You lust, and don’t have. You kill, covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.
Proverbs 28:25 tells us that the one who is greedy stirs up strife. Here James gives a larger view of the word greedy, to include all forms of lusting and coveting.

1 Peter 3:8-13 [8] Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tender hearted, courteous, [9] not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For, “He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. [11] Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [13] Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good?
(Psalm 34:14)


AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

Matthew 10:34-39 [34] “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] A man’s foes will be those of his own household. [37] He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. [38] He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. [39] He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

Daniel 3:1-30 – This is the story of the three friends of Daniel and the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar built an idol and demanded that all bow down to it. When the three friends would not, they were cast into the furnace. God delivered them. The king changed his mind, and understood that their God was greater. Then Nebuchadnezzar promoted them.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were at peace with all men as much as was possible with them. Their faithful obedience to God put them at odds with King Nebuchadnezzar. He refused to be at peace with them so long as they would not obey men rather than God. The friends persevered through this trial, and at the end, through God's deliverance and the king's change of mind, they could be in some measure at peace with King Nebuchadnezzar.

2 Maccabees 6:18-31 – This is the story of Eleazar the scribe. He desired to be at peace with all men, and had been at peace with many. The time came when those with whom he had been at peace made him choose between obeying God or obeying men. Eleazar chose to obey God, and so those men would no longer be at peace with him. They put Eleazar to death.

Acts 5:27-33 [29] But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.


COMMENTARY

Blessed are the peacemakers - Those who strive to prevent contention, strife, and war; who use their influence to reconcile opposing parties, and to prevent lawsuits and hostilities in families and neighborhoods. Every man may do something of this; and no man is more like God than he who does it. There ought not to be unlawful and officious interference in that which is none of our business; but without any danger of acquiring this character, every man has many opportunities of reconciling opposing parties. Friends, neighbors, people of influence, lawyers, physicians, ministers of the gospel, may do much to promote peace. And it should be taken in hand in the beginning. “The beginning of strife,” says Solomon, “is like the letting out of water.” “An ounce of prevention,” says the English proverb, “is worth a pound of cure.” Long and most deadly quarrels might often be prevented by a little kind interference in the beginning.

Children of God - See the notes at Matthew 1:1. Those who resemble God, or who manifest a spirit like his. He is the Author of peace 1 Corinthians 14:33; and all those who endeavor to promote peace are like him, and are worthy to be called his children.


Monday, June 9, 2014

The Beatitudes - Lesson 7: The Pure in Heart

The Beatitudes
Lesson 7: The Pure in Heart


Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.


1 Samuel 16:7 But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for I see not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”


PURE
1. Separate from all heterogeneous or extraneous matter; clear; free from mixture; as pure water; pure clay; pure sand; pure air; pure silver [or] gold. Pure wine is very scare.
2. Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil. Hab.1. Prov.20.
3. Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. James 1.

"pure." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/pure (8 June 2014).


The main points for this lesson:

Remember, beatitude means happy or blessed. Jesus is telling us the way to true happiness and blessedness. The beatitudes teach us who will be happy and why that person will be happy.

To be pure in heart has at least two sides. On one side, the pure in heart are those who have a heart FREE from evil motives and desires, a heart that does not seek its own things (Philippians 2:4). On the other side, the pure in heart delight in God and his ways. They love him with ALL their heart. (Without this second part, we will be like the man in Matthew 12:43-45.) Motivated by love, they seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness. Both sides are important. Psalm 1:1-2 gives a simple picture of someone who is pure in heart.

How can we have a pure heart? For our part, we can purify our hearts by casting out the bad things that don't belong there. Choose to look on, listen to, talk about, and think about what is good and pleasing to the Lord (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:2). Find others who have pure hearts, and with them seek things that are pleasing to God (2 Timothy 2:22). Finally, though certainly not the least thing, ask God for help and strength, and for a pure heart as David did (Psalm 51:10). God alone is the great physician. He is able to heal our bodies. He also has the medicine and skill to cleanse our hearts.

Why will the pure in heart be happy and blessed? Jesus said the pure in heart shall see God. This beatitude holds a promise for both this life and the next. The pure in heart will both in this life and the next know God's favor and nearness.

In this life, the pure in heart may (or may not) see God in dreams and visions. The heavens may open for them as they did for Stephen. More importantly, they will find God drawing near to them as they draw near to God (James 4:8). The pure in heart will see more clearly the simple and humble path that leads to the God whom they love with all their heart. The pure in heart will see Christ as they serve others (Matthew 25:40).

All men will see God on the judgment day. However, it is only the pure in heart that will see God looking upon them with blessing and favor. How many will find God's wrath on that day because they would not cleanse their heart of all they should and fill it with devotion to God alone. At the judgment day, the pure in heart will have no other master, no earthly sin or possession or desire, claiming them, but will hear the one they loved and served with all their heart say to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” How happy and blessed the pure in heart will be then.

Those who do not have a pure heart shall in the end find unhappiness and a curse. Perhaps Judas Iscariot thought he could serve God and money at the same time. He allowed greed to remain in his heart while following Jesus. His heart was neither cleansed from all sin and evil desire, nor was it devoted wholly to God. In the end, Judas betrayed Jesus, and then killed himself. While the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17ff) seemed to hunger and thirst for righteousness, he allowed a love for money and possessions to remain in his heart. When Jesus brought him to a place of decision, this man did not choose to pursue a pure heart, nor did he choose the narrow path that leads to life. That love for the world that he kept in his heart led him to choose to forsake Jesus, whose yoke is easy, and instead to make money and possessions his hard and destructive master. Greed and love of money are just two examples of things that keep us from having a pure heart. Jesus spoke of many things we may allow into our hearts that will defile us (Mark 7:21-22). God appeared to Solomon twice, yet Solomon did not keep his heart pure. Thus, instead of favor, he found God's anger (1 Kings 11:9). Let us be careful to purify our hearts, to do this work fully and completely and to the end, and to fill our hearts only with God and the things above.


Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Read Matthew 5:8 with the children.

Give the children a simple explanation of what it means to be pure in heart: The pure in heart put bad things out of their heart, and love and obey God with all their heart (they fill their heart with love and obedience to God).

While many stories could be used to illustrate this beatitude, I recommend at this time using the first three stories below, about Elijah speaking with God (1 Kings 19:1-21), Jesus being transfigured (Matthew 17:1-8), and Stephen being stoned (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1,51-60). All three provide examples of the pure in heart who saw God in some way or another.

As you read the stories, you can ask the children who is pure in heart, and why. You may need to remind them of the meaning of “pure in heart” when you ask them. You can ask them how the men in the stories saw God. Was it always in the same way? What kind of happiness and blessedness did they find?

You could talk to the children about their own hearts. What kind of things might be in their hearts? Perhaps covetousness or self-seeking is in their hearts. Are they content with what God has given them, or do they often want what someone else has (covetousness)? Do they desire to please God and their parents, or do they want their own way instead (self-seeking)? You can point out to them (or ask them to think about it themselves) the unhappy results of covetousness and self-seeking (such as quarreling and arguing), and the happy results of being content and loving others. Remind them that all this has to do with what we allow to grow in our hearts.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.


Stories:

1 Kings 19:1-21 – Elijah flees after Jezebel threatens to kill him. He is led to Mount Horeb, where God speaks with him.
Elijah was wholly devoted to God. When many others had turned away from God to serve idols, Elijah held fast to the Lord his God at a great cost. He had to flee when Jezebel threatened his life, discouraged. Yet God visited Elijah on the mountain of God (Exodus 3:1). He was pure in heart. He did not allow evil to dwell in his heart, but instead loved and served God with all his heart.

Matthew 17:1-8 (or 1-13) [1] After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. [2] He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. [3] Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. [4] Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” [6] When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. [7] Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” [8] Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
2 Peter 1:16-18 [16] For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” [18] We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
Peter, James and John are shown with their failings in the Gospels. Yet, these men left behind all that they had, and followed Jesus. In them we see men who are pursuing and possessing pure hearts. Based on this beatitude (blessed are the pure in heart...), it seems reasonable to say that at least one reason Peter, James and John were allowed to see Christ transfigured and to hear the voice from heaven was that they were pure in heart.
When Peter writes about this event in his epistle, he is recalling this event to strengthen the faith of others, never to boast of himself. Humility (being poor in spirit) is a necessary part of being pure in heart. It both leads to a pure heart, and comes from a pure heart.
In the story in Matthew 17, we find that Peter did not necessarily understand all that was going on. To be pure in heart you do not have to know or understand everything, but you must put away sin and self-seeking from you heart, and love God instead.

Acts 6:5-15; 7:1-60 (*for the children, just read Acts 6:8-15; 7:1,51-60*) - The death of Stephen.
Stephen was falsly accused and facing death. Rather than defend himself, he cared only for the glory of God and the salvation of men. Even as he was being put to death, out of a pure heart he looked to his Lord, and asked that mercy be shown to his murderers. Before his death, he was able to see God (Acts 7:55-56).


More Stories and Examples:

Genesis 5:21-24 [21] Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah. [22] After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters. [23] All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. [24] Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.
Surely Enoch was one who was pure in heart. He walked with God. God was so pleased with him that he took Enoch to dwell with him even before he should see death.

Genesis 20:1-18
Abimelech – Acting from a pure heart: When Abraham sojourned in Gerar, he said that Sarah was his sister. Abimelech sent for and took Sarah. He did this with a pure heart (Genesis 20:5-6 see LXX), believing that Sarah was unmarried and therefore available to become his wife. God came to Abimelech in a dream at night with a strong warning about Sarah being Abraham's wife. While this may not be the story we would first recall when considering this beatitude, it seems that Abimelech's actions being done from a pure heart and God's appearing to him in a dream to warn him are very much connected. In Abimelech we see the importance of having and acting from a pure heart. For what would have been his end had he acted from an evil desire?

Exodus 19:20; 24:12,18; 34:2 - Moses called up to the Mountain of God.
Exodus 33:11 Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn’t depart from the Tent.
Numbers 12:6-8
Deuteronomy 34:10-12 [10] Since then, there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face, [11] in all the signs and the wonders, which Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, [12] and in all the mighty hand, and in all the awesome deeds, which Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Moses saw God. He left all behind to follow and serve God and his people. Moses did not exalt himself or his own name. Within his heart he did not keep any love for riches or the passing pleasures of the world. He loved the Lord his God with all his heart. In Moses we see an illustration of Jesus' words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Further, as we consider the life of Moses in the wilderness, we see that the happiness gained in not the passing happiness of the world. It was not a happiness of everything going right and having no trouble. Moses found the true and lasting happiness that comes from God, the true blessedness of walking with God even in the midst of great trials and troubles.

Numbers 14:20-24 [20] Yahweh said, “I have pardoned according to your word; [21] but in very deed—as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with Yahweh’s glory— [22] because all those men who have seen my glory, and my signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice; [23] surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it. [24] But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it.

1 Samuel 1:20 – 4:1 – This is the story of the early life of Samuel, from his birth to his beginnings as a prophet.
This is the story of Samuel as a child in the midst of corruption. God speaks to a little boy who is pure in heart.

1 Kings 11:1-13 [9] Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,
God appeared to Solomon twice, in Gibeon (1 Kings 3:5) and after the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 9:2). Yet this is a stern warning to us. Though Solomon may have been pure in heart earlier in his life, he did not remain faithful to God, he did not keep his heart pure to the end, and so saw the anger of God instead. Purity of heart is not something for just a moment in time. It must be a lifelong pursuit, to the very end. Then, on the day of judgment, we will see God and hear “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Luke 1:26-38 – The angel Gabriel is sent to Mary.
Mary was chosen to be mother of Jesus. She is pure in that she is a virgin. She is pure in body. God saw that she was pure in heart as well, and chose her to be the mother of Christ. In her response to the angel Gabriel, we see that she desired only to serve God.

Acts 10:1-48 – The story of Cornelius.
In Cornelius it seems that God found a man pure in heart, living in the world, but not of it, serving almighty God. God chose him from among the gentiles to clearly receive the Holy Spirit and so open the door of faith to the gentile world. Did Cornelius see God? An angel came, then the apostle Peter, and finally the Holy Spirit.

Many people saw Jesus' miracles and heard his teaching. The pure in heart saw him as the Christ, the son of the living God. Those who were not pure in heart heard and saw the same things, but could not come to see who Jesus really was. One example of those who could not see Jesus as the Christ of God were those Pharisees who were lovers of money (Luke 16:14). The greed and pride in their hearts blinded them so they could not see the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' telling of the coming day of judgment in Matthew 25, the sheep were those who cared for those in need without any selfish motive. They sought only to love and serve their God by loving their neighbor as themselves. They discovered that on earth they had cared for Jesus himself, and that in the judgment, God smiled upon them. What was in the hearts of the goats during their earthly life?


Other Verses:

PURE IN HEART

Psalm 1:1-2 [1] Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; [2] but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 24:3-6 [3] Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. [5] He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation. [6] This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah.

Psalm 51:10-12 [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. [11] Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Proverbs 11:20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?”

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

Proverbs 22:11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

Proverbs 30:11-14 [11] There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother. [12] There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness. [13] There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up. [14] There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 [30] Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live.

Ezekiel 33:31 They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.

Matthew 15:10-11,16-20 [10] He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. [11] That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” [16] So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand? [17] Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? [18] But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. [20] These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

Matthew 22:37-38 [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 23:25-28 [25] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. [26] You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also. [27] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Mark 4:18-19 [18] Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, [19] and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
When the cares of this age, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things enter into our heart, we become unfruitful.

Mark 7:20-23 [20] He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. [21] For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, [22] covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Luke 11:39-40 [39] The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. [40] You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also?

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

1 Timothy 1:5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith;

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Titus 1:15-16 [15] To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. [16] They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,

James 4:7-10 [7] Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

1 Peter 1:22 [Darby] Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth to unfeigned brotherly love, love one another out of a pure heart fervently;

1 John 3:1-3 [1] See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. [2] Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. [3] Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.


GOD WILL HIDE HIS FACE FROM THE UNRIGHTEOUS

Deuteronomy 31:16-18 [16] Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up, and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land, where they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. [17] Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our God is not among us?’ [18] I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.

Deuteronomy 32:19-20 [19] Yahweh saw and abhorred, because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. [20] He said, “I will hide my face from them. I will see what their end will be; for they are a very perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness.

Isaiah 59:1-4 [1] Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; neither his ear heavy, that it can’t hear: [2] but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. [3] For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. [4] No one sues in righteousness, and no one pleads in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and give birth to iniquity.

Isaiah 64:4-7 [4] For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him. [5] You meet him who rejoices and works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time; and shall we be saved? [6] For we have all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. [7] There is no one who calls on your name, who stirs up himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have consumed us by means of our iniquities.

Hosea 5:4-7 [4] Their deeds won’t allow them to turn to their God; for the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they don’t know Yahweh. [5] The pride of Israel testifies to his face. Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them. [6] They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Yahweh; but they won’t find him. He has withdrawn himself from them. [7] They are unfaithful to Yahweh; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the new moon will devour them with their fields.

Micah 3:4 Then they will cry to Yahweh, but he will not answer them. Yes, he will hide his face from them at that time, because they made their deeds evil.”


COMMENTARY

Verse 8. Blessed are the pure in heart - That is, whose minds, motives, and principles are pure; who seek not only to have the external actions correct, but who desire to be holy in heart, and who are so. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

They shall see God - There is a sense in which all will see God, Revelation 1:7. That is, they will behold him as a Judge, not as a Friend. In this place it is spoken of as a special favor. So also in Revelation 22:4, “And they shall see his face.” To see the face of one, or to be in the presence of any one, were terms among the Jews expressive of great favor. It was regarded as a high honor to be in the presence of kings and princes, and to be permitted to see them, Proverbs 22:29, “He shall stand before kings.” See also 2 Kings 25:19, “Those that stood in the king‘s presence;” in the Hebrew, those that saw the face of the king; that is, who were his favorites and friends. So here, to see God, means to be his friends and favorites, and to dwell with him in his kingdom.