One more look at the Beatitudes.  Matthew 5.1-12

Blessed are . . . this is a last look at the Beatitudes.

Well, the fact is, I worked all afternoon to create a graphic of a ladder on the left, with the beatitudes bumped up against it—all resting on a field of Grace:  first, Blessed are the poor in spirit, where Jesus started his teaching to his disciples that afternoon so long ago.  For when we understand our rightful place before an all-holy, and an all-righteous God, then we know we are in need of him, and without him, we perish.  (though I worked on it, when transferring to e-mail format, the whole thing got jumbled up…argh!!!)

The next upward rung of the ladder is Blessed are those who mourn-- realizing our broken state apart from God, we grieve our bent toward self-centered decisions and sin, but when united with God, we know comfort.  And then for those who grieve, there is certain comfort from our o, so loving God, who comforts by his Holy Spirit from within. 

Why am I revisiting the Beatitudes?  Just to tie a neat bow on them?  Not really.  I wish to challenge you with the thought of ‘which of these do you think that God would like to work out in you?’  For myself, I have loved the notion of each of the seven, knowing that the eighth I have seen, and will also be an eventuality. 

While meekness is not necessarily held out as a value in our world today, I would like to embody Jesus’ notion of it—enduring injury with patience, being gentle, and far from argumentative.  Blessed are the meek, Jesus said … yes, Jesus, I want to learn from you.  I want to be gentle and I want to easily offer forgiveness. 

It has been three weeks now, and I have watched a litter of five sweet puppies latch onto their mama—in hunger and thirst; God, I want to hunger and thirst for righteousness in just the same way.  I want to go hard after the things of you, and find myself a great deal less interested in the things of this world. 

Reaching my foot toward the next step, I now think of mercy.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  One thing I know—when face-to-face with mercy, you never forget it.  Mercy is rather unexpected, but so appreciated; mercy is not of this world, but of another; mercy is compassion when harsh judgment is expected.  The story of the Good Samaritan was not about a good neighbor, but all about compassion, and when it was least likely … from whom it was least likely.

From college days in 1978, I loved the esoteric thinking of ancient philosophers—not surprising then that I would be smitten by the Dane, Soren Kierkegaard, who said, ‘purity of heart is to will one thing’—that one thing, making up our minds about Jesus, no longer being spiritual or religious, but sold out to what Jesus Christ means to us as Savior.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Yup.

These are the days of personal rights and pursuing self esteem, which often fly in the face of making peace with others, right?  But Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”  I do not know if you have placed a premium on making peace with other people—family, business colleagues, neighbors or social acquaintances—but apparently, Jesus thought it important; so much so that he placed it at the top of the ladder of Beatitudes, the last to which we ought aspire. 

Finally, Jesus said, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.  Different experiences, different levels of persecution and rejection—but if we are true devotees of Jesus of Nazareth we are told we will see it, but whatever we face, God sees and he will reward us for our pain. 

I have loved this study, and I play its values will replay over and over in our minds, challenging us to be more like Jesus.  Again I would say, ‘how I would have loved to have been sitting on the hillside that day, listening to Jesus’…but somehow when I really desire it, I can almost hear his voice saying, ‘Blessed, you will be blessed, my child, if … when …’ these things are present in you. 

Seek after these things I pray, dear reader, dear fellow believer. Amen.