Jesus’ sermon on a mountain began with what are called the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:2–13)While many interpretations are offered, I see them as a progression in spiritual growth. At least, this is how they seem to appear in my own life.
Jesus first says the poor in spirit are blessed. My thoughts
go to Isaiah 57:15 where God, who is high and lifted up and inhabits eternity
and whose name is Holy declares, “I dwell
in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly
spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the
contrite.”
God has never blessed my pride or my ‘I’ll do it myself’
independent attitude. His blessing comes when I am broken, unable and weak, and
humbled before Him. Believe it or not, true spirituality and blessing from God comes
then, not when I’m patting myself on the back and congratulating myself for
being righteous.
The second statement is similar to the first: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall
be comforted.” While this has been used at funerals, it isn’t about that
kind of death. It is about the sorrow and grief over my sin that brings me to
my knees in contriteness of heart. It is about mourning my rebellion against God
and about taking it to a graveside where it is put to death. Yet even in this
state, God comforts me. I am where He wants me to be.
This poverty of spirit and mourning produce an attitude
called meekness. Some liken it to a wild stallion that has been tamed, whose
strength is still there but under control. However, my concordance says this: “Meekness
is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in
God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not
occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human
will.”[1]
Therefore, when Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” He is
talking about the work of the Spirit to bring me to a place of no resistance to
whatever happens, not because I’ve caved in but because I trust Him totally. At
that point, all the resources in the world are available to me. He will supply
everything I need!
Such meekness includes willingness to see that I am not
the person I thought. Apart from Christ, I am a sinful, self-centered,
self-seeking person. Because of meekness, I’m not only open to such a horrid
revelation, but also filled with a desire for change. This is a “Blessed . . . hunger and thirst for
righteousness” that comes with the promise that I “shall be satisfied.”
With that, the focus changes from selfish gain to a God-given
attitude of mercy toward others, even others that I normally would have looked
down my nose on, or shook my fist at. When He has worked in me a merciful
heart, then I also “receive mercy” from Him and from others.
The next Beatitude is usually thought of as a future
promise. “Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God” in the sense that purity of heart now is an
indication of eternal life and the promise of being with God after I die. However
true that is, I’ve an additional experience and understanding . As God works in
me, even as He is showing me the deepest needs of my heart, the hidden dark
places and the garbage I’d not suspected, and as He forgives and cleanses, I
see Him more clearly, especially in the lives of others who have undergone this
same process. He shines through those who are trusting Him totally, to the
point they are meek and transparent, without concern what others think of them.
They know that God holds them in His
hand.
Sadly, not many Christians are like that, but those who
are experience life with an attitude that is both attractive and misunderstood.
Others might chalk it up to temperament, or are annoyed by it. This happens to
me too, but God has taught me that if I feel that way and cannot see Him in the
lives of His people, it could be they are blocking that revelation, but it is
more likely that I’ve some impurity in my life that is blinding my heart’s
vision of Him.
This is where I am. I’d like to be called a peacemaker “for they shall be called sons of God.”
I’m not too eager to be one of “those who
are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Or
be blessed when “others revile you and
persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.”
But I do want to be the “salt of the earth” not salt that “has lost its taste.” If these verses describe a process, then I will
not be surprised if God puts me into places where I need to be a peacemaker, nor
will I be shocked if my life is making someone thirsty when they don’t want to
be thirsty.
No matter what happens, He is teaching my heart to say, ‘Blessed
by the name of the Lord, for my life is safe in His hands.’
No comments:
Post a Comment