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This week, the podcast is focused on the Beatitude found in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”* What is the heart that must be pure?
The word can refer the physical organ. However, that is not the meaning here. It is used in different ways in the New Testament.
First it is the place of emotions. Romans 9:2 speaks of great sorrow and anguish in the heart. In Luke 7:13, Jesus sees a widow who had lost her only son. It says, “his heart went out to her.” This usage echoes common usage of the word heart today. People pledge to love each other with all their heart.
Second, it is used for the place of thought and understanding. Mark 7:21 says, “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come.” And Acts 8:22 says, “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.” We usually use the word mind for this, rather than the word heart.
Finally, the word heart describes our will or decision-making self. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give.”
So, to paraphrase the Beatitude, blessed are those who are pure in their entire inner being, for they will see God.
*All Scripture from the NIV.
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.