Day 6: Matthew 5:1-20 | 2026 Lenten Reading Plan

Thank you for joining us for the fifth reading in our Lenten Reading Plan. Find all the resources you need below: Read Matthew 5:1-20 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A1-20&version=ESV Listen to Matthew 5:1-20: https://share.transistor.fm/s/75aec87c Download your own Lenten Reading Plan Bookmark: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Bookmark-2601-PRINT-at-home.pdf Download the 2026 Lenten Reading Plan Study Guide: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Study-Guide-2511.pdf Today's reading from Matthew 5 begins with the Beatitudes. "Blessed are the poor in spirit... those who mourn... the meek... those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..." These blessings feel like clothes that don't quite fit. Can we claim to be pure in heart? Hunger and thirst for righteousness? Some of these we don't even want. Who desires persecution? Here's the key: The Beatitudes aren't describing you. They're describing Jesus. He is poor in spirit; God Almighty made man. He mourns over our fallen world. He is meek, merciful, pure in heart. He makes peace between sinners and God. He bears the cross, persecuted for righteousness' sake. Where do we fit? "Blessed are you when others revile you... on my account." We're blessed in Jesus, even when the world says otherwise. Jesus declares you're the salt of the earth & light of the world. But remember: "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you'll never enter the kingdom of heaven." This reframes everything. Christianity isn't about you; it's about Jesus for you. That's the difference between a law religion with impossible tasks and a Gospel religion based on Christ’s forgiveness and righteousness given freely to you. You are the light of the world because Christ's righteousness is yours. In baptism, His identity becomes your identity. When reading Scripture, look for Jesus first. If you only find yourself and your obligations, start over. Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology. #higherthings #lcms #lutheran #lent If you have questions or topics that you'd like discussed on Higher Things, email them to content@higherthings.org Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: http://youtube.com/@HTgospel4all To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://higherthings.org/morehi/giving/ For more information about Higher Things, go to http://higherthings.org ------ Join the conversation on Social Media: http://facebook.com/higherthings http://instagram.com/higherthings https://www.tiktok.com/@higherthings