‘Seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn…” ’ (Matthew 5:1-3).

The Lord’s Kingdom is in complete contrast with the accepted ways and standards of this world. Christ’s Sermon on the Mount is the greatest message of defiance to human nature. In His sermon, He identifies the difference between the Christ nature and self-centred human nature. Jesus thus confirms the existence of another eternal Kingdom, where all the rules of earth are turned upside down.

In the world, it is often those who are arrogant, selfish and full of pride who reach the top (Job 21:7), and they often treat with contempt people below them, hurting and profiting from them. But in the heavenly upside-down Kingdom of God, those who are despised, selfless and loving will be eternally blessed. God sees all we do and will ultimately reward us for living according to His will – which is often the complete opposite of what the world expects. To be rewarded in God’s eternal Kingdom, we must climb down towards the lowliest, to become childlike in our faith and humble in spirit. It is the overlooked who God sees.

God’s Kingdom, its values, standards, morals and beliefs are often in total contrast to the world’s because, ‘The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one’ (1 John 5:19).

As Christians, we find ourselves in the midst of a battle on enemy occupied territory, as the world desires us to be conformed to its image (1 Peter 1:14). But God wants us to do what is right by His Word, and renew our minds and actions to be conformed to the will of God (Romans 12:1-2). Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are: the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…blessed are the merciful…the pure in heart…the peacemakers…those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake…and when they revile and persecute you” (Matthew 5:3-11).

This is an excerpt from ‘Jesus Today - Daily Devotional - 100 Days with Jesus Christ’ by Paul Backholer and is used by permission.