Matthew 5:8 ESV
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Have ever seen God? Oh I have seen the presence of God in people. I've seen the joy and the glow in their faces that comes from His love. I've seen God in loving actions. When I serve those in need, I see God. I feel God and sense God's powerful presence. I feel peace, joy, tranquility, and satisfaction. But I've never actually seen God with my own two eyes, like Moses saw God. I've never seen Jesus, like Peter and the early disciples saw Jesus, both living and glorified in His resurrection.
There's a part of me that deeply longs to literally see God, see Jesus. I'm not satisfied with the figurative incarnations I've mentioned before. Like Queen sang, "I want it all and I want it now"! Is that wrong? Wanting all of God is not wrong. Demanding all of God's fullness now is childish, and fails to reflect a mature understanding of the spiritual life.
Seeing God unfiltered in all His majesty is a life threatening proposition for mortals. Think of the moments those who encountered the angel of the Lord.
The parents of Samson were afraid.
Judges 13:22 ESV
And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, for we have seen God."
Isaiah the prophet was afraid.
Isaiah 6:5 ESV
And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"
The patriarch Jacob was amazed he survived his encounter with the stranger.
Genesis 32:30 ESV
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."
Those who carelessly approached the sanctuary of the Lord without the proper religious preparation as prescribed by the law of Moses, sometimes died or were stricken with disease. God is holy and He does not receive the filth of sinful humanity without atonement.
That gets to the crux of Jesus teaching. The pure in heart will see God. Purity means clean, unblemished, not dirty, stained or soiled. God is holy and pure. Think of the air we breathe. We all need oxygen to survive, but if you were to breathe pure oxygen, your lungs would burn and you would die. Breathable air is a blend of nitrogen, oxygen and argon with trace levels of other gases. The proportion of nitrogen to oxygen is over 3 to 1. In the same way an unfiltered experience of God may very well kill a sinful mortal.
Jesus was fully human and fully God. His mortal frame carried the divine presence in all His fullness. We have the same possibility for our lives through our faith in Christ, to become pure as He is pure.
What makes the heart impure? Sin does. Sin stains the soul and separates us from God. Since we all sin how can we ever hope to have a pure heart? Our thoughts are sinful. Jesus said if you curse someone you've committed murder in your heart. I've murdered a lot of drivers in my heart on my way to work! No. I have no chance of seeing God, except by the grace of God.
God chose Moses and Moses met with God face to Face. Jesus told His disciples,
John 15:16-17 ESV
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
We are chosen in Christ to become the pure of heart. Put yourself in places each day to receive God's love, that love might force from your heart sin, fear, loathing, envy, lust and everything else that does not love.
I end with these words from the beloved apostle John. You will see God in God's time. Therefore pursue that perfect love that drives out fear and fills us with the purity of Christ.
1 John 4:12-19 HCSB
No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us. This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given assurance to us from His Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world’s Savior. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God — God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, for we are as He is in this world. There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because He first loved us.
Friday, July 15, 2016
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Matthew 5:7
Matthew 5:7 NIV
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
This beattitude, the fifth of eight proclamations about those blessed disciples of Christ within the kingdom of heaven, is simple and straightforward. If you show mercy, you will be blessed by experiencing mercy yourself.
What is mercy? The example in my biblical notes from scholars is "to give aid to one in Mercy is to have compassion for the suffering and needy, the oppressed and marginalized. Mercy is to love the wretched untouchables in our society.
My favorite story of Jesus showing mercy is a time He healed a leper. Everyone avoided touching lepers. By law they had to cover themselves in public and go about shouting "Unclean! Unclean!"
Mark 1:40-42 HCSB
Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.” Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed.
Think of what it would mean to include someone who is always left out, treated poorly, abused and maligned. I just saw the film "Central Intelligence", starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. In high school Johnson's character was obese and abused by others. He was cast out into a gym, full of students and faculty, stark naked by four bullies. Kevin Hart's character was the only one to show him mercy. While the whole gym exploded in laughter, he covered the poor boy with his letter jacket. This act of mercy changed the boy's life. He wanted to become like his merciful hero.
Think of the mercy God has shown you by offering His Son upon the cross, instead of allowing the penalty of your sins keep you utterly estranged from God's love and life. You have received mercy. Do you not want to be like your merciful saviour? Be blessed and show the same mercy God has shown you to others.
Don't be so quick to judge. A wise person is slow to anger and does not answer foolish taunts. In this world of increasing violence and the dissolution of our peaceful society, God calls upon His disciples to be merciful as He is merciful. Have compassion. Forgive. Heal with kindness. You will be blessed as one of God's children blessing others.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
This beattitude, the fifth of eight proclamations about those blessed disciples of Christ within the kingdom of heaven, is simple and straightforward. If you show mercy, you will be blessed by experiencing mercy yourself.
What is mercy? The example in my biblical notes from scholars is "to give aid to one in Mercy is to have compassion for the suffering and needy, the oppressed and marginalized. Mercy is to love the wretched untouchables in our society.
My favorite story of Jesus showing mercy is a time He healed a leper. Everyone avoided touching lepers. By law they had to cover themselves in public and go about shouting "Unclean! Unclean!"
Mark 1:40-42 HCSB
Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.” Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed.
Think of what it would mean to include someone who is always left out, treated poorly, abused and maligned. I just saw the film "Central Intelligence", starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. In high school Johnson's character was obese and abused by others. He was cast out into a gym, full of students and faculty, stark naked by four bullies. Kevin Hart's character was the only one to show him mercy. While the whole gym exploded in laughter, he covered the poor boy with his letter jacket. This act of mercy changed the boy's life. He wanted to become like his merciful hero.
Think of the mercy God has shown you by offering His Son upon the cross, instead of allowing the penalty of your sins keep you utterly estranged from God's love and life. You have received mercy. Do you not want to be like your merciful saviour? Be blessed and show the same mercy God has shown you to others.
Don't be so quick to judge. A wise person is slow to anger and does not answer foolish taunts. In this world of increasing violence and the dissolution of our peaceful society, God calls upon His disciples to be merciful as He is merciful. Have compassion. Forgive. Heal with kindness. You will be blessed as one of God's children blessing others.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Matthew 5:6
Matthew 5:6 NIV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
It's breakfast. I'm hungry. I had a banana. It was quick. Most of my breakfasts are like that. But I crave a big country breakfast, especially on Saturdays. What do you crave?
Jesus says those who crave and are very thirsty for righteousness are blessed for they shall be satisfied. What is this righteousness for which disciples in the kingdom of Christ crave? To be righteous, biblically speaking, is to be in right standing with God. It is to be living in a condition acceptable to God. Righteousness includes the qualities of integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting. To put it simply, righteousness means to do what is right in the eyes of God.
That is the tricky part, isn't it? We all have our own opinions of what is right and wrong. Situational ethics call into question rules based righteousness. What is right in most situations may not be right in all situations. For instance when a mother's life is threatened by her pregnancy, what is the right thing to do? Is it to terminate the pregnancy to save the mother or is it to let the mother die to save the child? Most of us will not have to face such extreme choices. Our natural sense of what is right leads us. We're basically good people. But we all make mistakes. We all fall short of doing the right thing every time. We sin. We miss the mark. Either we do something we shouldn't do, or we neglect doing what we should do. And we don't all agree on what we should or shouldn't do.
For those who believe the bible is God's word, authoritative for the living of our lives, righteousness is not decided by a committee or congress. God reveals what is right and wrong in the stories, laws, letters, poetry and preaching in the 66 books of the bible. For Jews and Samaritans, the first five books, Genesis through Deuteronomy, is the Torah or the teaching. God reveals what is right and wrong in these books. When Adam and Eve did what they were told is forbidden, they sinned and were cast from paradise. When Abimelech took Sarai into his house, when she belonged to Abram, God struck him with disease. Stories like these illustrate what God says is right or wrong, good or evil. When you obey God's word and keep God's laws and observe His religious ordinances, you are righteous. When you live by the spirit of the law, you are generous, compassionate, and just. The needy are cared for by righteous people.
Since we fall short and sin, then none are righteous. The apostle Paul writes about this topic in the first 8 chapters of Romans.
Romans 3:10-12, 17-18 NIV
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
So if none of us are righteous, how can any be blessed in the kingdom of heaven? Remember that Jesus's words are about hunger and thirst, greatly desiring righteousness. It's not that we are righteous, but that we long to be made right with God. What Jesus is saying is that our desire to be made right with God and others will be satisfied in the Kingdom of Heaven.
That does not mean you have to die and go to heaven in order to be satisfied in this desire for righteousness. The Kingdom of Heaven is among us! The Kingdom of Heaven is the gathering of Christ's disciples. The community of Christ is the kingdom of God, at least a pale expression of it. Jesus teaches that the kingdom is like a mustard seed, the smallest of all the seeds in the garden and yet it grows to become the biggest of all the plants. The church is like that. It is a small beginning to a great and wonderful Kingdom future.
In the New Testament faith brings a righteousness that doesn't come from obedience to the law. Since we all fail to keep the law 100% of the time, we cannot attain full righteousness. That is why, in Christ, God made the unrighteous righteous, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. All who put their trust in Christ as saviour are made right with God, and gradually are being made righteous as God's Son is perfectly righteous.
The first sense of righteousness comes through the blood of Christ. His sacrifice upon the cross washes away the stain of our sin and makes us right before God, pure and holy. The second sense of righteousness is yet to come, yet to be satisfied. His resurrection gives us death-defying power to resist sin. Through the power of Christ we are truly free! We are free to live in the righteousness of God. And by living in the spirit of God we are empowered to become as Jesus is. That is the promise of scripture!
I don't know how many Christians you know who are exactly like Jesus, but I don't know any. I'm certainly not one of them. Let us remind ourselves again that Jesus promised satisfaction for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. We are going on toward the perfection of our souls through our journey with Jesus in the Spirit. We are righteous in the first sense through our faith in the all sufficient atoning sacrifice of Jesus. We are yet to be righteous in the second sense, made prefect like Jesus, such that every thought, word and deed comes purely from love.
As you think about your life, the way you live, how you spend your time and money, what is getting your attention and resources? Is it the righteousness of God? What do you hunger and thirst for? What do you crave? What does your life say you are working toward?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all you need will be given to you. (Mat 5:6; 6:33)
I leave you with this promise. Your hunger and thirst to be like Jesus will be satisfied.
Philippians 1:6 NIV
I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
It's breakfast. I'm hungry. I had a banana. It was quick. Most of my breakfasts are like that. But I crave a big country breakfast, especially on Saturdays. What do you crave?
Jesus says those who crave and are very thirsty for righteousness are blessed for they shall be satisfied. What is this righteousness for which disciples in the kingdom of Christ crave? To be righteous, biblically speaking, is to be in right standing with God. It is to be living in a condition acceptable to God. Righteousness includes the qualities of integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting. To put it simply, righteousness means to do what is right in the eyes of God.
That is the tricky part, isn't it? We all have our own opinions of what is right and wrong. Situational ethics call into question rules based righteousness. What is right in most situations may not be right in all situations. For instance when a mother's life is threatened by her pregnancy, what is the right thing to do? Is it to terminate the pregnancy to save the mother or is it to let the mother die to save the child? Most of us will not have to face such extreme choices. Our natural sense of what is right leads us. We're basically good people. But we all make mistakes. We all fall short of doing the right thing every time. We sin. We miss the mark. Either we do something we shouldn't do, or we neglect doing what we should do. And we don't all agree on what we should or shouldn't do.
For those who believe the bible is God's word, authoritative for the living of our lives, righteousness is not decided by a committee or congress. God reveals what is right and wrong in the stories, laws, letters, poetry and preaching in the 66 books of the bible. For Jews and Samaritans, the first five books, Genesis through Deuteronomy, is the Torah or the teaching. God reveals what is right and wrong in these books. When Adam and Eve did what they were told is forbidden, they sinned and were cast from paradise. When Abimelech took Sarai into his house, when she belonged to Abram, God struck him with disease. Stories like these illustrate what God says is right or wrong, good or evil. When you obey God's word and keep God's laws and observe His religious ordinances, you are righteous. When you live by the spirit of the law, you are generous, compassionate, and just. The needy are cared for by righteous people.
Since we fall short and sin, then none are righteous. The apostle Paul writes about this topic in the first 8 chapters of Romans.
Romans 3:10-12, 17-18 NIV
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
So if none of us are righteous, how can any be blessed in the kingdom of heaven? Remember that Jesus's words are about hunger and thirst, greatly desiring righteousness. It's not that we are righteous, but that we long to be made right with God. What Jesus is saying is that our desire to be made right with God and others will be satisfied in the Kingdom of Heaven.
That does not mean you have to die and go to heaven in order to be satisfied in this desire for righteousness. The Kingdom of Heaven is among us! The Kingdom of Heaven is the gathering of Christ's disciples. The community of Christ is the kingdom of God, at least a pale expression of it. Jesus teaches that the kingdom is like a mustard seed, the smallest of all the seeds in the garden and yet it grows to become the biggest of all the plants. The church is like that. It is a small beginning to a great and wonderful Kingdom future.
In the New Testament faith brings a righteousness that doesn't come from obedience to the law. Since we all fail to keep the law 100% of the time, we cannot attain full righteousness. That is why, in Christ, God made the unrighteous righteous, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. All who put their trust in Christ as saviour are made right with God, and gradually are being made righteous as God's Son is perfectly righteous.
The first sense of righteousness comes through the blood of Christ. His sacrifice upon the cross washes away the stain of our sin and makes us right before God, pure and holy. The second sense of righteousness is yet to come, yet to be satisfied. His resurrection gives us death-defying power to resist sin. Through the power of Christ we are truly free! We are free to live in the righteousness of God. And by living in the spirit of God we are empowered to become as Jesus is. That is the promise of scripture!
I don't know how many Christians you know who are exactly like Jesus, but I don't know any. I'm certainly not one of them. Let us remind ourselves again that Jesus promised satisfaction for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. We are going on toward the perfection of our souls through our journey with Jesus in the Spirit. We are righteous in the first sense through our faith in the all sufficient atoning sacrifice of Jesus. We are yet to be righteous in the second sense, made prefect like Jesus, such that every thought, word and deed comes purely from love.
As you think about your life, the way you live, how you spend your time and money, what is getting your attention and resources? Is it the righteousness of God? What do you hunger and thirst for? What do you crave? What does your life say you are working toward?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all you need will be given to you. (Mat 5:6; 6:33)
I leave you with this promise. Your hunger and thirst to be like Jesus will be satisfied.
Philippians 1:6 NIV
I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Matthew 5:5
Matthew 5:5 NIV
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
What does it mean to be meek? Meek is not a word that gets used much in everyday conversation. Weak, wimp, wuss; these kind of words are more familiar. Is that what Jesus meant?
The Greek word is prays (sounds like prow'-uhs). It means a person with a gentle spirit, a mild disposition. Remember that the values of the kingdom of heaven run counter to the values of the world. A mild mannered Clark Kent was Superman's disguise. No one would ever suspect such a personality to be the man of steel, courageous and undefeatable. A gentle soul might be respected, but few of us would consider such a person as leadership material. Our heroes are tough minded, bold, fearless and brash. According to Jesus the meek are blessed. Happy are the meek because they will inherit the earth.
The Greek word translated as earth is ga. It has many meanings. It could mean dirt or soil, good for growing crops. It could mean the solid ground on which we stand. Or it could mean a specific region, like the land of the Jews, Palestine or Canaan, the promised land. The word might mean the entire globe. Or it could mean the dwelling of humans and animals. According to my interlinear notes, Jesus' teaching means the latter. The meek shall inherit their place among men. It sounds vindicating doesn't it? When the kingdom of heaven comes in its fullness, the eyes of humanity will no longer be blinded by the values of this current era. What God values will be their own. We will finally understand that brute force only yields short term gains and longer term enmity. Violence begets violence. But humility and gentleness invites strong bonds of friendship.
Perhaps a gentle soul might seem boring and uninteresting to me. I'd rather hang with the life of the party kind of people, ones who inspire me or make me laugh. But I've learned that gentle people are consistently the kind of people to be counted on. And over the years my admiration for them has grown. I'd likely do whatever they ask of me, because of my admiration. The meek, that I know personally, have a place of influence with me.
I've met these gentle souls in the church, in Scouting, and in community theater, interestingly enough. Not all actors are larger than life off the stage. Some are very down to earth. Many of these gentle souls are mature in age. They've gained a peaceful disposition with the wisdom earned through the years. Some just seem to be born that way. They come from family environments that are gentle and mild mannered. However the meek got to be meek, I only know I'm not one of them. I'm not mild or gentle. I come from loud and boisterous, and a little bit ornery kind of people. You had to have thick skin to survive among my people. If I'm to find my place in the kingdom of heaven, I doubt it will be through this blessing. Unless the Lord fundamentally changes who I am, I don't think I'll ever be meek. I don't think I'd be happy trying to be mild mannered. It's just not me. So where does that leave me; on the outside, far from a place among godly men? I don't think so.
The point of Jesus' beattitudes is not to draw up barriers, but to invite inclusion to those who've been marginalized all their lives. The poor, the mild mannered, the mourning, and the peaceniks; these will find full inclusion and happiness in the kingdom of heaven. They will have an honored place at the table of the Lord. Often Jesus said those who are first in this life will be last in the kingdom, but those who are last shall be first. If you want to be honored in the kingdom of heaven become a servant, a humble slave, to others.
The Lord invites me to stop chasing after worldly trophies and accolades. Instead I am called to value what Jesus values, compassionate care for the poor, sick, depressed, and marginalized. I am called to love and serve them as my master. For when I do good unto the least among humanity, I've done good unto the Lord Jesus, the King of Kings.
What a blessing that would be!
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
What does it mean to be meek? Meek is not a word that gets used much in everyday conversation. Weak, wimp, wuss; these kind of words are more familiar. Is that what Jesus meant?
The Greek word is prays (sounds like prow'-uhs). It means a person with a gentle spirit, a mild disposition. Remember that the values of the kingdom of heaven run counter to the values of the world. A mild mannered Clark Kent was Superman's disguise. No one would ever suspect such a personality to be the man of steel, courageous and undefeatable. A gentle soul might be respected, but few of us would consider such a person as leadership material. Our heroes are tough minded, bold, fearless and brash. According to Jesus the meek are blessed. Happy are the meek because they will inherit the earth.
The Greek word translated as earth is ga. It has many meanings. It could mean dirt or soil, good for growing crops. It could mean the solid ground on which we stand. Or it could mean a specific region, like the land of the Jews, Palestine or Canaan, the promised land. The word might mean the entire globe. Or it could mean the dwelling of humans and animals. According to my interlinear notes, Jesus' teaching means the latter. The meek shall inherit their place among men. It sounds vindicating doesn't it? When the kingdom of heaven comes in its fullness, the eyes of humanity will no longer be blinded by the values of this current era. What God values will be their own. We will finally understand that brute force only yields short term gains and longer term enmity. Violence begets violence. But humility and gentleness invites strong bonds of friendship.
Perhaps a gentle soul might seem boring and uninteresting to me. I'd rather hang with the life of the party kind of people, ones who inspire me or make me laugh. But I've learned that gentle people are consistently the kind of people to be counted on. And over the years my admiration for them has grown. I'd likely do whatever they ask of me, because of my admiration. The meek, that I know personally, have a place of influence with me.
I've met these gentle souls in the church, in Scouting, and in community theater, interestingly enough. Not all actors are larger than life off the stage. Some are very down to earth. Many of these gentle souls are mature in age. They've gained a peaceful disposition with the wisdom earned through the years. Some just seem to be born that way. They come from family environments that are gentle and mild mannered. However the meek got to be meek, I only know I'm not one of them. I'm not mild or gentle. I come from loud and boisterous, and a little bit ornery kind of people. You had to have thick skin to survive among my people. If I'm to find my place in the kingdom of heaven, I doubt it will be through this blessing. Unless the Lord fundamentally changes who I am, I don't think I'll ever be meek. I don't think I'd be happy trying to be mild mannered. It's just not me. So where does that leave me; on the outside, far from a place among godly men? I don't think so.
The point of Jesus' beattitudes is not to draw up barriers, but to invite inclusion to those who've been marginalized all their lives. The poor, the mild mannered, the mourning, and the peaceniks; these will find full inclusion and happiness in the kingdom of heaven. They will have an honored place at the table of the Lord. Often Jesus said those who are first in this life will be last in the kingdom, but those who are last shall be first. If you want to be honored in the kingdom of heaven become a servant, a humble slave, to others.
The Lord invites me to stop chasing after worldly trophies and accolades. Instead I am called to value what Jesus values, compassionate care for the poor, sick, depressed, and marginalized. I am called to love and serve them as my master. For when I do good unto the least among humanity, I've done good unto the Lord Jesus, the King of Kings.
What a blessing that would be!
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Matthew 5:4
Matthew 5:4 NIV
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Jesus presents an overturning of the world's power structure. Now the rich and politically powerful rule, but within the kingdom of heaven a very different arrangement is experienced.
Remember Mary's prayer in Luke's gospel?
Luke 1:51-53 NIV
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
What we value and what we see as strength is not eternal, but temporary and tied to a world power structure that is coming to its end. Love is the true power. Love conquers all. Love will triumph. And the greatest of all treasures is love. The Beatles said, "Can't Buy Me Love." Greater than silver and richer than gold is the love of God. But the world is blinded by belief that war is the answer, violence is the means by which to exercise authority. We believe the amassing of wealth is the way to the good life. Jesus will tell you not to store treasures up for yourself that can be stolen or diminish in value. Rather store up treasures in heaven that last forever.
In this life many suffer under the tyranny of the current power structure. Those who mourn the ugliness of this system that ignores the needs of the poor, enslaves workers, oppresses the weak and marginalized, and objectifies women, will one day see the birth of a new way of life in the kingdom of heaven. In the kingdom there is true justice. Every woman is a cherished sister and beloved daughter. Every man loves like Jesus, looking after souls. True justice and equity, righteousness, peace and plenty are the marks of this kingdom, the divine power structure, which undergirds all creation.
We may mourn now under the tyranny of unjust systems of greed, lust and apathy, but people of faith know they are not truly citizens of this world. Therefore we are comforted, even joyful in our hope in the kingdom of heaven.
Philippians 3:20-21 NIV
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Those who mourn will be comforted in the glory of the new creation, which has begun in Christ and in all who have received the Spirit. For the Holy Spirit gives us a foretaste of good things to come.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Jesus presents an overturning of the world's power structure. Now the rich and politically powerful rule, but within the kingdom of heaven a very different arrangement is experienced.
Remember Mary's prayer in Luke's gospel?
Luke 1:51-53 NIV
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
What we value and what we see as strength is not eternal, but temporary and tied to a world power structure that is coming to its end. Love is the true power. Love conquers all. Love will triumph. And the greatest of all treasures is love. The Beatles said, "Can't Buy Me Love." Greater than silver and richer than gold is the love of God. But the world is blinded by belief that war is the answer, violence is the means by which to exercise authority. We believe the amassing of wealth is the way to the good life. Jesus will tell you not to store treasures up for yourself that can be stolen or diminish in value. Rather store up treasures in heaven that last forever.
In this life many suffer under the tyranny of the current power structure. Those who mourn the ugliness of this system that ignores the needs of the poor, enslaves workers, oppresses the weak and marginalized, and objectifies women, will one day see the birth of a new way of life in the kingdom of heaven. In the kingdom there is true justice. Every woman is a cherished sister and beloved daughter. Every man loves like Jesus, looking after souls. True justice and equity, righteousness, peace and plenty are the marks of this kingdom, the divine power structure, which undergirds all creation.
We may mourn now under the tyranny of unjust systems of greed, lust and apathy, but people of faith know they are not truly citizens of this world. Therefore we are comforted, even joyful in our hope in the kingdom of heaven.
Philippians 3:20-21 NIV
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Those who mourn will be comforted in the glory of the new creation, which has begun in Christ and in all who have received the Spirit. For the Holy Spirit gives us a foretaste of good things to come.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Matthew 5:3
Matthew 5:3 NIV
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
A lot of people have written on the subject of the Beattitudes in Jesus' opening to His amazing Sermon On The Mount. I'm not likely to share anything new, but I will simply reflect on the question, "What does poor in spirit mean for me?"
I'm not poor in finances. Americans live far above third world subsistence living. Although I'm not rich compared to many of my fellow citizens, I'm still part of the shrinking middle class. So I can't credibly comment on what it's like to be poor.
Matthew makes poverty a spiritual issue, not an economic one. Poverty is living without certain means. Poverty means surviving not thriving. It means you are focused on getting through the day alive by scrounging for your basic needs, like shelter, food, and water.
What are my basic needs, spiritually speaking? I think they are similar to physical needs. I need to know that I am safe and secure. The psalms speak of taking refuge in God as our fortress or strong tower, to take shelter in the shadow of His wings. In the same way I need to continually reassure my soul that God is in control, that God is good, and that He works all things together for good, for those who love Him and seek to serve His redemptive purpose in the world. Often the fear of the moment generally works itself out in time, so my panic is unfounded and illogical. Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will remind His followers not to worry, but to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness. All else will be provided. God knows what we need.
I need nourishment for my soul. Encountering the word of God feeds me spiritually. Give us today our daily bread! I search the scriptures, less for information and more for inspiration. God's breath gives me energy for living, like food does for my body.
And I need renewal. Water is vital for life. Without it we diminish and die. Jesus promised that all who come to Him will never thirst again because He would give them the water of life. The Holy Spirit, He said, would well up inside of us overflowing to eternal life! Daily prayer, the Lord's Supper, baptismal renewal, and other means of grace fill me and refill me with the Holy Spirit. My soul's thirst is refreshed and I am renewed.
I think to be poor in spirit means to daily reach for these vital necessities through study, prayer, and the many means of grace, like helping others with the love of God. I recognize I don't own God's grace. I cannot put it in a bank and live off the interest. I can't even purchase grace or work to earn it. I can only receive grace freely given, when I open myself to seeking the kingdom within me and around me.
Some days I'm dirt poor in spirit, and I'm blessed because I know where to go, and to whom, in order to find sustenance.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Indeed. Amen.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
A lot of people have written on the subject of the Beattitudes in Jesus' opening to His amazing Sermon On The Mount. I'm not likely to share anything new, but I will simply reflect on the question, "What does poor in spirit mean for me?"
I'm not poor in finances. Americans live far above third world subsistence living. Although I'm not rich compared to many of my fellow citizens, I'm still part of the shrinking middle class. So I can't credibly comment on what it's like to be poor.
Matthew makes poverty a spiritual issue, not an economic one. Poverty is living without certain means. Poverty means surviving not thriving. It means you are focused on getting through the day alive by scrounging for your basic needs, like shelter, food, and water.
What are my basic needs, spiritually speaking? I think they are similar to physical needs. I need to know that I am safe and secure. The psalms speak of taking refuge in God as our fortress or strong tower, to take shelter in the shadow of His wings. In the same way I need to continually reassure my soul that God is in control, that God is good, and that He works all things together for good, for those who love Him and seek to serve His redemptive purpose in the world. Often the fear of the moment generally works itself out in time, so my panic is unfounded and illogical. Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will remind His followers not to worry, but to seek God's Kingdom and righteousness. All else will be provided. God knows what we need.
I need nourishment for my soul. Encountering the word of God feeds me spiritually. Give us today our daily bread! I search the scriptures, less for information and more for inspiration. God's breath gives me energy for living, like food does for my body.
And I need renewal. Water is vital for life. Without it we diminish and die. Jesus promised that all who come to Him will never thirst again because He would give them the water of life. The Holy Spirit, He said, would well up inside of us overflowing to eternal life! Daily prayer, the Lord's Supper, baptismal renewal, and other means of grace fill me and refill me with the Holy Spirit. My soul's thirst is refreshed and I am renewed.
I think to be poor in spirit means to daily reach for these vital necessities through study, prayer, and the many means of grace, like helping others with the love of God. I recognize I don't own God's grace. I cannot put it in a bank and live off the interest. I can't even purchase grace or work to earn it. I can only receive grace freely given, when I open myself to seeking the kingdom within me and around me.
Some days I'm dirt poor in spirit, and I'm blessed because I know where to go, and to whom, in order to find sustenance.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Indeed. Amen.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Matthew 5:17-20
Matthew 5:17-20 NIV
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You won't hear these words quoted very often by lovers of the scripture. You may not hear these words talked about in Evangelical circles today. These are the words of Jesus after his opening to The Sermon on the Mount. He gives the stirring and beautiful Beatitudes, speaking of the Blessed within the kingdom of heaven, and then turns his attention to the morality of those blessed persons.
Christians today seem to pick and choose which rules from the scriptures they will adhere to and which ones they will ignore, saying that these no longer apply. Matthew's Church was collection of Jewish Christians. Like Messianic Jews today, they sought to live out both covenants faithfully, the Covenant under Moses through observing the law, and the Covenant under the blood of Jesus Christ through by living through love and grace.
Jesus follows these words by giving examples. To curse someone under your breath is the same as murdering them in your heart. To lust after another in your heart is the same as committing adultery. The Blessed of the kingdom of heaven love their enemies, they pray for those who persecute them, and they do not resist an evil doer. They do not repay evil with evil. They turn the other cheek. Moral behavior begins in the heart and mind.
Someone in history once said the only problem with Christianity is that no one has ever tried it. Here's one such quote.
"Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried." - Gilbert K. Chesterton
The teachings in The Sermon on the Mount set a very high bar. It's a bar set so high it requires the grace of God. Perhaps that's the point.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You won't hear these words quoted very often by lovers of the scripture. You may not hear these words talked about in Evangelical circles today. These are the words of Jesus after his opening to The Sermon on the Mount. He gives the stirring and beautiful Beatitudes, speaking of the Blessed within the kingdom of heaven, and then turns his attention to the morality of those blessed persons.
Christians today seem to pick and choose which rules from the scriptures they will adhere to and which ones they will ignore, saying that these no longer apply. Matthew's Church was collection of Jewish Christians. Like Messianic Jews today, they sought to live out both covenants faithfully, the Covenant under Moses through observing the law, and the Covenant under the blood of Jesus Christ through by living through love and grace.
Jesus follows these words by giving examples. To curse someone under your breath is the same as murdering them in your heart. To lust after another in your heart is the same as committing adultery. The Blessed of the kingdom of heaven love their enemies, they pray for those who persecute them, and they do not resist an evil doer. They do not repay evil with evil. They turn the other cheek. Moral behavior begins in the heart and mind.
Someone in history once said the only problem with Christianity is that no one has ever tried it. Here's one such quote.
"Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried." - Gilbert K. Chesterton
The teachings in The Sermon on the Mount set a very high bar. It's a bar set so high it requires the grace of God. Perhaps that's the point.
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