“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Much of this whole Sermon on the Mount is directed to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and their emphasis on outward cleansing. Jesus stressed the importance of having their hearts right with God, and not depending on their actions. In other words, blessed are those who do the right things for the right reasons.
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
When Samuel was sent to anoint a king to replace Saul, he looked at the sons of Jesse, and would have chosen one because of their physical appearance, but the Lord told him: “for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7
As we have progressed through these “blessed” statements of Jesus, we have seen how progressively God works to change lives into vessels fit for His kingdom. Now He tells us that when our hearts are pure and open before the Lord, we will be able to see Him clearly. In Psalm 23:3-4, David asked a question and then answered it: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.”
Some of the words of an old song we used to sing are going through my mind:
“People often see you as you are outside. Jesus really knows you for he looks inside.”
When we have had our sins forgiven and are seeking the Lord with all our heart, Jesus sees us through the lens of His blood. Are we perfect? No. As long as we live on this earth, we will make mistakes and fall short of what we know is right. But Jesus understands us, convicts us when we fail, and offers forgiveness.
Matthew 12:34-35 “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things:” When our heart is pure, our words and our actions will reflect that to others.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus that you have cleansed our hearts and made them pure, and because of that we have the hope of seeing you.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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