The Gospel of Jesus is not about self-promotion but about self-denial or dying to self. It’s about Christ in us the hope of glory. Jesus did not come to change the political system of His day, but to change hearts. The beatitudes give us an inkling into the effects of a changed heart. Let’s look at this passage:

“What happiness comes to you when you feel your spiritual poverty! For yours is the realm of heaven’s kingdom. “What delight comes to you when you wait upon the Lord! For you will find what you long for. “What blessing comes to you when gentleness lives in you! For you will inherit the earth. “How enriched you are when you crave righteousness! For you will be satisfied. “How blessed you are when you demonstrate tender mercy! For tender mercy will be demonstrated to you. “What bliss you experience when your heart is pure! For then your eyes will open to see more and more of God. “How joyful you are when you make peace! For then you will be recognized as a true child of God. “How enriched you are when persecuted for doing what is right! For then you experience the realm of heaven’s kingdom. “How blessed you are when people insult and persecute you and speak all kinds of cruel lies about you because of your love for me!” Matthew 5:3-11

God is love. God is pure Light and you will never even find a trace of darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). Jesus said that if you have seen me you have seen the Father. Jesus showed love and tender mercy, laying down His life for others. He did not promote himself nor did He have any self-pity over being rejected and wrongly accused. In the midst of His pain, He continued to love and represent the true nature of the Father-love and mercy to those who will come unto Him. Love doesn’t tolerate sin, but love comes with the transforming power to live above sin. Our purpose as believers is to show the love of Christ to a dark and hurting world. God is Love and so are we who believe on Him. Let’s make Jesus great again!