"With Peace & Grace" (Matthew 5:9-12 part four)

“Blessed are the peacemakers”

A “peace-maker” is not just one who desires peace or believes in peace. A “peace-maker” actively works for peace. And surely peace-making activity is what we need at so many levels. We see so much inner turmoil and violent conflict everywhere.

The history of the world is a sad tale of nation set against nation. Conflict is as old as Cain and Abel. God’s ideal of peace was shattered by the human craving for power and control. Take a moment to consider how God feels when He is forced to watch wonderfully made human beings destroy each other.

Jesus rejected violence, and chose the path of a servant (rather than a master). Jesus is weeping over the violence in the world, as he wept over Jerusalem when he observed what was going on there in his time. This violence doesn’t just happen in war, but also, so sadly, in homes, and in neighbourhoods.

What is ‘peace’? Clearly it’s more than just our desire for bit of quiet (or time to ourselves). There is a deeply spiritual component to ‘peace’. There is the Hebrew concept of “shalom” which speaks of the well-being and harmony in which people live. This is in respect of their relationship with God, and also, their relationship with their land, their neighbours, and the whole of creation. “Shalom peace” brings wholeness, completeness, soundness; and thus should lead to less and less hostility. If we are thinking about the lack of peace, then we would be caused to first look within.

In the New Testament there is a clear connection between the presence of the Holy Spirit and the possibility of peace. The gift of the Holy Spirit brings the gift of peace – Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27). It is the Holy Spirit that enables Jesus’ work of peace-making to continue through us. Our effectiveness as a peace-maker … derives first … from having peace with God … through having accepted God’s gift of grace and forgiveness.

We have seen (from the earlier ‘beatitudes’) that it is the “poor in spirit or the humble”, and the “mourners or the repentant” … that begin the journey of gaining the peace … that can then be paid forward (through the Holy Spirit). Again we must say, peace-making starts within ourselves, allowing the space for Jesus, ‘the Prince of Peace’, to take up residence in our lives. Jesus went on to say to his disciples, “Peace be with you; as the Father sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). Peace is a divine gift, but also a human work. There is an anonymous saying, “I wondered why somebody didn’t do something for peace – then I realised that I am somebody”.

Frank Rees, in a recent blog, defined peace this way: “Peace is not just the absence of conflict, oppression, noise or demands—though an end to all those things is deeply desirable! Peace is a much more positive and enabling concept. Peace is about the well-being of life and therefore it is about the flourishing of community. Peace is about healthy living with ourselves, each other and with the earth and all its creatures”.

So it is this “flourishing of community” that peace-makers actively promote. This would involve bringing people together who may otherwise stay separate. This is about bringing peace to relationships (starting with our own), helping to reconcile people with people, bringing individuals together, assisting families to interact as well as possible, helping groups to work together effectively, bringing harmony to communities – pointing to common and worthy goals, breaking negative cycles (of abuse); all working toward the elimination of discord and violence.

What attributes or skills does the peace-maker need to develop???

·        Calmness – important, as some people just look like they are ready for a fight all the time.

·        Another skill required – is to be able to bring a broad range of opinions together, and facilitate people moving forward together. This requires good communication skills, and a careful use of words. And this is something we all need to work on (with the Holy Spirit’s help).

We also need to be open to God’s small voice … which is why we had to work through the earlier process … up to and including being ‘pure in heart’ (pure motivations and honesty). If we can be free of any selfish agendas, we have the space to hear God’s voice when we most need it. We need to be able to model forgiveness, as opposed to bitterness or retaliation. We need to strive for peaceful homes. And I think we should add … taking special care for the vulnerable.

In the church, we have the unique calling to bring people to God, who may, for a variety of reasons have been separated from God. Sometimes, tragically, things get in the way of this mission. When, at times, people in churches are using up good energy fighting each other, people are not hearing the Gospel, and also being turned away from the Gospel. When diverse (even competing) views exist, a peace-maker actively works to hold people together, seeing the vision of love as primary.

Over time a variety of attitudes have been brought to the notion of peace-making. On the largest scale, some nations will seek peace through deterrents or strong defensive measures; others through pre-emptive strikes or even invasion. We would always have to allow the teaching of Jesus to comb its way through such activity. Conversely, many people have refused to take up arms, even when their nation has gone to war. The notion of loving enemies, and being merciful, and the predominance of love, have led many to strongly critique war and aggression.

This is all complicated … because there can be NO peace, where justice or freedom is denied, or where important issues are evaded (rather than working creatively through them). In ancient Israel, a person could not truly be at peace if their neighbour was under any oppression. Peace can NEVER be reduced just to how I feel. There is NO shalom where excess and poverty co-exist in neighbourhood and nation – when the wealth of one is at the expense of others.

There can be a sort of ‘pretend peace’ … through covering over the problems or agreeing to disagree, but this just leaves the issues simmering on the back-burner. “Peace in the sense of human community, a community of human flourishing, requires justice … where all have an opportunity to grow, learn, develop their potential” (Frank Rees). Thus peace-making may have a long struggle attached to it (involving some pain); working towards new ways of living together that prevent conflict or oppression and enable peaceful living. Ross Langmead wrote, “The task is huge, and all we can do is bite off a small corner and begin chewing away at it”.

From Paul, who knew something about conflict … Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”. There is the concession here that sometimes it may not be possible, or at least out of our control or influence. But there may still come a day, a day we might even pray for, where we can share a word or a good deed, that speaks volumes into a place of hostility. “Instead of delighting in division, bitterness, strife, or some petty ‘divide-and-conquer’ mentality [that’s the world], disciples of Jesus delight to make peace wherever possible” (D A Carson).

After a stabbing attack in SW Sydney on Saturday 10th September that left grandfather Wayne Greenhalgh in hospital with serious injuries, two Anglican pastors visited Minto mosque with a message of support. In a letter they delivered to the mosque, seven Anglican ministers from South West Sydney said, "We know that the overwhelming majority of our Muslim neighbours want nothing more than to live peaceful lives, working together with everyone else to make Australia a great place to be". The letter encouraged all people in the local community to "rise to the challenge of reaching out in love and friendship to our Muslim neighbours at this difficult time".

The blessing of being a “peace-maker” … is to be regarded so like God, that we can be “called” his children. I want to be called a child of God (mainly by God)! This is how important peace-making and reconciling is – it taps into the very centre of who God is. God is a Peace-maker, and we cannot be like God, or grow into the image of Jesus, without being a peace-maker ourselves. You cannot initiate, perpetuate or ignore conflict, and truly be a child of God. How much does the world need to see the children of God!? Romans 8:19 reads, “… the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God”. You can’t get any bigger need than that.

The call to be a “peace-maker” naturally leads on to the thought of persecution, because people who are content in their hates and prejudices, won’t be particularly warm to a peace-maker. Some level of persecution seems inevitable when we have adopted the earlier ‘beatitudes’. The arrogant don’t understand the humble. The care-free don’t understand the repentant. The ‘closed of opinion’ don’t understand the ‘open’. The apathetic doesn’t understand an appetite for purpose. The world doesn’t understand the (Holy) Spirit. The revengeful or heard-hearted don’t understand the merciful. The selfish don’t understand the ‘pure in heart’.

Courage – “Blessed are the Persecuted”

John Stott wrote, “Persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value systems”. We can have many things in common with most people … just from being human. The crunch often comes when we state and live out an allegiance to Jesus. And this is the crunch that needs to come, lest we live a sort of double-life, where any difference we may make for good gradually dissipates. In some ways, persecution (which we might define as … an attack or opposition to what we believe and who we are) is a compliment, because the words you are saying and the role you are playing is significant, and being noticed, and making a difference for good. Persecution is good, in that it brings an end to nominal Christianity (people just going through the religious motions) – only the real Jesus-followers will be seen, for they will be ones who can endure and persist, as they demonstrate their allegiance, loyalty and good works – and great is their reward in heaven.

When Jesus lived out what he was teaching … the people stuck him on a cross. What people don’t understand, they tend to destroy (or at least strike out against). How then did this play out for the Jesus-followers of the first century? They suffered ridicule, slander, social isolation, torture, imprisonment and execution. Why? They were different – their conduct and moral integrity threatened the consciences of others. Their ethics – the way they felt about and treated other people – challenged the ‘dog-eat-dog’ social norms of the time. They refused to worship Caesar or any other ‘gods’. They promoted mercy – i.e. forgiveness and compassion.

We might be okay with the word ‘witness’, because it might sound mild compared to what we are talking about here. However, the same Greek word that is translated “witness” in some places, is also translated “martyr” in other places [depending upon context]. In the first century to be a ‘witness’, was likely also to mean being a ‘martyr’. As we follow in the way of the first disciples, they followed in the way of God’s righteous ‘prophets’ before them – experiencing opposition.

Opposition can happen when we are working on the side of righteousness (God’s ways and will), and working on Jesus’ account i.e. being willing to, or preferring to, suffer for what is right and fair (whatever than means in terms of sacrifice – financial, time, position), rather than just accepting injustice; standing up for people, rather than letting them be oppressed or discriminated against. This involves being willing to stand out in the crowd when necessary; but also to quietly work away at building relationships with due patience. This involves seeking to be consistent in all contexts and all circumstances (no matter what group of people we are with). And we grow in trust that God will provide.

So the lesson here is ‘courage’ (a very real application of faith) … no room for fear, and absolutely no room for promoting fear. With courage and faith we can challenge the world’s values. We come to accept our present toil and tears, remaining steadfast, however much shaken, in our commitment to God.

This is a call to courage ... just like from the psalmist of old - "Even though I walk through the darkest valley [or, the valley of the shadow of death], I fear no evil; for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4a). To truly be with Jesus we must go to the valley of death, not to a bubble that has removed itself from the world [idea from Gemma Bell, CCVT magazine "The Edition", August 2016, p.31].

Claude Alexander, bishop of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, urges Christians from all walks of life to step up into bold leadership. Here's his take on bold leadership: There are questions that beg to be answered. There are dilemmas to be overcome. There are gaps to be filled, and the challenge is for you to fill them. That is the essence of the high call of spiritual leadership. There is a purpose for your being here. You are meant to answer something, solve something, provide something, lead something, discover something, compose something, write something, say something, translate something, interpret something, sing something, create something, teach something, preach something, bear something, overcome something, and in doing so, you improve the lives of others under the power of God, for the glory of God.

And there is a blessing attached for this level of courage and boldness (the same blessing as for the “poor in spirit”) – truly knowing God. Part of this blessing is the knowledge that God dwells within any trials and suffering that comes as a result of our living for Jesus. Out of this persecution comes the opportunity for growth. It is those living on the edge (out of their comfort zone), sharing their faith (against the tide) – thus likely to face persecution of some kind – who will experience a special measure of God’s presence (and enabling power), and get to grow (toward their full potential). In our courageous bearing of suffering, we really experience God.

Paul epitomises this blessing in Romans 8:31-39:

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 

32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 

33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 

34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 

39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion

As we look at all these ‘beatitudes’ and consider how close we are to them, and how much we experience the “blessing”, we should think in two ways: (i) we are works in progress that God is not finished with yet; and (ii) we should feel discontent until we have pushed the envelope as far as we can … pushing ourselves up the growth curve (or rather, allowing the Holy Spirit to get the job done). The goal is always … becoming like Jesus.

"A Heart of Mercy" (Matthew 5:7-8 part three)

Introduction

We are on the upward journey. We, hopefully, are being filled – filled with (the capacities of) the Holy Spirit … becoming the sort of person (and people) that God created us to be. This has become possible as we have been emptied of all the blockages to our growth. We have dispensed with pride and humbled ourselves (“poor in spirit”). We have mourned our sin, become emotionally honest, and repentant. We have opened ourselves to the new and become teachable (“meekness”). As we have been emptied of all selfish agendas and egocentric attitudes, we are ready to fully focus on God – we “hunger and thirst for righteousness” and thus can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

We are on the upward journey. In this way we can become like Jesus. The remaining ‘beatitudes’ guide us in our assessment of our growth. We might call these ‘check-points’. If we are truly being “filled”; if we are growing, and becoming more like Christ – then we should be exhibiting “mercy”, being seen as “pure in heart”, actively being “peace-makers” in everyday life, and dealing well with any set-backs … specifically showing courage in the face of persecution.

“Blessed are the merciful”

There are two basic ways we can be merciful!?!

1.     Compassion

·        Feeling for others – if we are not moved with compassion because of the needs, struggles and suffering of others, then we would have cause to look at ourselves and wonder why! Could it be that we are somewhat ‘battle-weary’ or hardened? Sometimes our own journey has understandably led us here. A sense of ‘compassion fatigue’ can build. But sometimes there are other factors … mindsets where our own desires are rated much more highly than anyone else’s needs. That is why, if we feel less than compassionate, when compassion would be rightly expected (as a Jesus-follower), we would need to go back to those earlier emptying steps … to see if we have really fully completed them. Are we humble, repentant, teachable and desperate for God enough?

Are we willing and able to let the struggles of others touch us?? Jesus himself, when confronted with disease and a great variety of needs, was moved with compassion to the depths of his being – he was often ‘gutted’ by what he saw. From this level of empathy, Jesus was truly able to demonstrate “mercy”. In this way, compassion unites us with the very heart of God. We should NOT be able to easily turn our eyes away from any tragedy and suffering.

·        Neighbour love – we know from Jesus’ teaching … that our ‘neighbour’ is actually anyone in need. Solidarity with a neighbour involves considering what it is like living in their shoes. This involves developing an understanding of, and empathy for, the difficult experiences that many people have endured. This involves being non-judgmental, slow to condemn, and not giving in to the sort of gross generalisations many people make (typified again this week by Senator Hanson). No doubt that Jesus was here challenging a society that generally lacked compassion (and held onto their racial animosities)!

Also, the “golden rule” (Matthew 7:12) indicates that we need to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves. How would we like to be persecuted as a religious minority, or a victim of violence, forced to flee by any means available, and then be stuck in a detention centre (God knows where) having committed no crime! What sort of support and help would we desire (or even expect) when we were in that place of suffering? This then surely guides our response to others.

·        Acts of kindness – practical compassion means acting in kindly ways; which may in some cases be a very hands-on approach with the person next door, and people from here have been wonderful helpers of others, one-on-one, and through involvement with Anglicare and the like. On other occasions (on a broader scale), practical compassion involves a lot of advocacy i.e. talking, social-media activity, letter-writing, project development and fund-raising. If you are interested in this sort of conversation and activity, then we have just formed a group to work and pray in these areas.

2.     Forgiveness

Why do we need to forgive??? For both others and ourselves – to release both others and ourselves.

·        Letting others go – we need to forgive others … so that they might have the maximum chance to change and go forward. This does NOT mean that what they did (and we suffered) was in any way acceptable, but rather it means that the future is opened up … it is the future where potential lies. This does NOT mean that we give ourselves to more abuse, NOR does forgiveness mean that we will necessarily trust the person again – but it does mean that we won’t deliberately take actions that will make the problem worse.

In movies, books, and on reality TV, revenge is celebrated, so much so that ‘revenge’ itself is a bit of a cultural norm. It’s easy to fall into that mode of … because you have done that, you should get this! Justice becomes vengeance. ‘Sweet revenge’ has become acceptable. But this is NOT the way of Jesus, who looked into the face of rejection with the eyes of love and mercy. We should leave all of the accounting to the only wise judge.

Even where a person has not sought forgiveness (and remains seemingly unrepentant), offering forgiveness may open the opportunity of a better future. No-one had sought forgiveness … when Jesus, in torturous agony, opened his heart of gold, and said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing”. In this statement, Jesus forgave them [i.e. all those responsible for him being there on the cross] regarding any personal offence toward him, and also had a mind toward God forgiving them for this whole act of violence. In this way, a whole new future opened for all humankind. We also are forgiven for putting Jesus on a cross; in fact, we are forgiven because Jesus went to the cross in the ultimate act of self-giving.

·        Letting ourselves go – retaining bitterness is the most soul-destroying thing we can deliberately do to ourselves! Harbouring resentment or ill-will towards others demeans us. We need to dispense with bitterness. When bitterness is allowed to build, it destroys more and more relationships. Forgiveness, on the other hand, releases us. And not only that – we bring ourselves into the place of God’s mercy! Without forgiving others, we deny ourselves forgiveness. Through unforgiveness, we put up barriers between us and God. Only those who show mercy, receive mercy.

We shouldn’t just expect mercy, for that blessing, which is mercy, is only afforded to those who first show mercy themselves. That is why, when Jesus teaches us how to pray (Matthew 6:12, 14-15), it is here taken as a given, that we are a forgiving person, and because of this we have the right to ask for forgiveness ourselves. We will only be recipients of forgiveness, after we have forgiven all others ourselves. Only the forgiving, receive forgiveness; only the merciful, receive mercy! We cannot hold back on mercy, while expecting mercy ourselves.

·        Breaking the cycle of negativity – old animosities and hatreds continue to bring destruction through the generations. New disputes occur because of a sense of being offended against. Someone needs to stand up and put an end to this, with an act of radical forgiveness. Allan Meyer tells a story about the thief who comes back hoping for relationship, wondering how we might react to this! “Mercy is a heart attitude that moves a person to act in love – even when there are reasons not to”.

The blessing of receiving “mercy”

Let’s receive the blessing of mercy – being forgiving towards others (together with a heart of compassion) releases God’s stream of mercy toward us! And we really need this blessing … we really need mercy … we really need forgiveness!! We may have caused unnecessary hurt, we may have uttered an unguarded word, we may have treated someone unfairly, we may have broken a promise, we may have let someone down, we may have broken a trust, we may have been dishonest or selfish, we may have contributed to existing hostility, we may have just been apathetic. In your mercy Lord, forgive us and heal us!

Then, when God has forgiven us, we should be prepared to forgive ourselves. If God has determined to put aside our sin, then we should do the same. If we ever feel unworthy of forgiveness, then we could reflect on the extent to which God went to give us forgiveness – which shows how much God values us. However, if we continue to feel unforgiven, we need to consider whether we just might be holding back forgiveness (or holding tightly to some form of ill-will toward another), which may be blocking our own forgiveness and healing. “Our forgiveness of others is the outstretched hand by which we are able to grasp the forgiveness of God” (Athol Gill).

IS THERE SOMEONE WHO HAS HURT YOU … THAT YOU HAVE NOT FORGIVEN, AND THUS YOU ARE HOLDING ONTO BITTERNESS?

IS THERE ANYONE THAT YOU NEED TO FORGIVE RIGHT NOW??

LET THEM GO – AND RELEASE THE CHAINS FROM YOURSELF!!

DO YOU NEED TO SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM ANYONE OR FROM GOD?

WE WOULD BE HOPEFUL CONCERNING HUMAN FORGIVENESS!

BUT WE CAN BE CERTAIN ABOUT GOD’S FORGIVENESS (ONCE WE HAVE SHOWN MERCY OURSELVES)!!

“Blessed are the pure in heart”

What does it mean to be “pure in heart”?

·        Pure motivations – our “heart” is the place where our motivations (or our ‘drivers’) lie; these are the internal workings that determine our decisions and behaviour. To be “pure” is to be unmixed – with no ‘impurities’ … not mixed with other substances; or to have been purged of all undesirable elements or pollutants. Proverbs 4:23 reads, “Above all else, guard your heart; for it is the wellspring of life” (NIV); or, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT). So purity of behaviour rests in purity of heart.

Being “pure in heart” is about being truly in harmony with God’s ways, and seeing the things around us as God sees them. This is being really tuned in, even single-minded – no double vision! The “pure in heart” will never serve more than one master. Evil and darkness is rejected, worthless pursuits are shunned; light is embraced! In reading this verse, we are caused to check our motives, goals, desires and priorities – we can take an internal audit, asking: ‘what drives me’, and, ‘why do I do what I do’??

·        Honesty – when a heart is not right or “clean”, often anything goes, and easy justifications follow. To be “pure in heart” is to be sincere, genuine, the ‘real deal’, having integrity – outward actions and inward thoughts are in total harmony. To be “pure in heart” is to be moral and ethical in all our dealings, having good character, having clarity, being transparent (Oxford meaning: free from disguise) … then maybe even translucent; to be clearly/obviously set apart … for a purpose (i.e. “holy”). Using the simple basic ‘yes’ or ‘no’ avoids being loose with commitment. The “pure in heart” will have straight honest open communication. In this way, the “pure in heart” will be very naturally able to critique negativity, falsehood and evil. “Why don’t people come to church”, we sometimes ask – this is what they need to see … the “pure in heart” … have they seen it … will they see it??

·        Resources – the resources of the “pure in heart”, along with the Holy Spirit, are prayer, worship and bible study. Each of these connects us with God, who is, of course, the very essence of purity and holiness. The more we pray (individually and in groups), the more we worship together as the church, the more we search God’s Word (individually and together) for truth and understanding – the more we will sense, know and see God.

“For they will see God”

In fact this is the blessing for the “pure in heart” … “seeing” God. In this way, the “pure of heart” will hold up under pressure, and will likely make a huge difference in the lives of many. As God is the epitome and the definition of ‘purity’, only the “pure in heart” can truly see and understand God for all of who He is. How do you rate on the “pure in heart” scale? Be encouraged … we are works in progress.

Let God in to purify your heart, and more and more we shall see God in all his wonder, beauty and majesty. We see God’s brilliant creation every day, and the provision of sun and rain, and all the other resources we need. But human lives too, can demonstrate God’s greatness. Let’s be part of God’s grand design! As God looks upon the heart, the “pure in heart” are able to see God.

"From Empty to Full" (Matthew 5:5-6 part two)

Introduction - we started out last week considering the 'path to blessing'. We asked ... what blessings can we receive, and how do we get them? We saw that humility leads to really knowing God, and mourning (or being emotionally honest) and repentance leads to a deep sense of comfort and peace. We continue on that quest today ... looking at two more of Jesus' statements.

Also, there is a bit of a process happening in these 'beatitudes' (as taught by Allan Meyer), whereby the willing, as they work down the list, are making the required space - dispensing with certain negatives, and thus becoming empty so they can be freshly filled.

The Meek – there is a particular blessing attached to those who are “meek”. What does it mean to be “meek”?

Obviously arrogance is out, and aggression is out, as well as being harsh or rigid is also out. Yet “meek” is not timid, in the sense of fearful; is not weak, in the sense of being without personal resources; and is not passive, in the sense of doing nothing.

“Meekness” is about being gentle enough not to over-power or dominate anyone else. “Meekness” is having more of an instinct to serve than command. Yet within “meekness” there is still a strength of conviction – Jesus described himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29), but in response to injustice cleared out the temple of those who were cheating and disrupting the lives of honest worshippers.

We can be confident in what we believe, and take whatever decisions our faith dictates; but at the same time not require other people to believe and act this way before they are ready. And, we would take into account, that what we think is important, may not be so important to others. Sometimes we have to ease up a bit, and be a bit more gentle and respectful! “Meekness” is actually the antidote for the sort of close-mindedness that starts wars. How easily unthinking words can crumble relationships.

“Meekness” is about being open enough to receive other people’s contributions to your life. “Meekness” is about being prepared to be a team player. “Meekness” is about hearing alternative opinions. “Meekness” is about being open to learn something new, being prepared to change your mind, and becoming a life-long learner. We can learn, not only from God and each other, but also, from some unexpected sources.

“Meekness” is about spiritual maturity, because God has been given full sway. The meek exhibit self-control, better … God-control. “Meekness” can be seen where forks-in-the-road or various struggles are handled with calm, wisdom, consistency and growing maturity. When Jesus was under pressure facing the cross, he was able to say to God, “Not what I want, but what you want {not my will, but yours}” (Matthew 26:39).

The key characteristic of “meekness” is ‘teachability’. We experience the “meek” when something of significance is shared with someone, and you see the lights go on and a smile appears. From that moment, this person will never be the same again, because they have received new and significant understanding. You hear them talking about it weeks later, because they are continuing to process this new and impacting revelation. Such a person is growing before your eyes. Blessed are the "meek".

The particular blessing here, for those who are as open and teachable as this, is the curious phrase … “they shall inherit the earth”, which could also be translated, “they shall inherit the land”. This is an expression of complete well-being in all aspects of life.

This phrase draws upon the close connection between the Israelite people and their land, whereby their sense of living on their land was closely connected to their relationship with God (much like our own indigenous peoples). When the people of Israel experienced exile in a foreign nation (and absence from their land) due to military defeat (which was often blamed upon rebellion against God), there was also a deep sense of spiritual loss.

To have the blessing of “inheriting the earth or land” … meant that all was put back right – their “inheritance” as God’s people was safe, their physical connection to land and spiritual connection with God was all back in alignment. All of life in community was coherent and harmonious again. This is because the “meek”, rather than being rebellious, have their eyes and ears firmly fixed on God.

Psalm 37:11 reads, “But the meek will inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity [i.e. blessing]”.

How do you rate on the “meekness or teachable” scale from 1 to 10?? How is your sense of well-being in life?

Now if we were to rate ourselves at the low end, then we need to quickly remember that we are works in progress. God has far from finished with us, and we also have the opportunity of investing in one another, so that we all move up the scale.

The Hungry and Thirsty – there is a particular blessing for those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness". In this context, to “hunger and thirst” is to have an ache for something, even be desperate (to the point of death) for something. Hunger and thirst take us to the edge. There is a seriousness about this, to the extent that if the remedy or solution (or the particular food and drink) became available, you would really go for it.

If you hunger and thirst for something, you really want it bad! This is about being fully focussed on and committed to those things that we really need. We can no longer be easily diverted. We hunger and we thirst, so no longer can we be half-hearted or wishy-washy or accepting of mediocrity! And our hunger and thirst cannot be satisfied by things that are bad for us (or less than the best).

Our “hunger and thirst” is for “righteousness”. This, of course, is NOT about some pretense of being 'holier-than-thou' or better than anyone else - absolutely not! This is also NOT about some human striving to be good (through our own effort) – quite the opposite! This IS again about our relationship with God … being “right” with God.

Our minds could go to the thirsty deer in Psalm 42 – “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you, O God” (verse 1). This is about being able to live in a way consistent with the way God would want us to. And this is NOT possible in our own strength. We have too many issues and complications, and frankly, we sin too easily. So we need help. Knowing this, God through Jesus took all the pressure and sense of failure off our shoulders and took it all to the cross. As the old song put it, “Our burdens are lifted at Calvary”. Here is the radical forgiveness we all need. Surely we would be “hungry and thirsty” for this!

Here is the end point of the process of emptying ourselves that I mentioned earlier.

Ø We have given up trying to make it by ourselves. We dispense with pride. We give up on power and control. We admit to being “poor in spirit”. We become happy with a humble approach to God.

Ø And we deeply regret the misdeeds of the past such as we are ready for change. We become emotionally honest. Truly we are “mourners” seeking comfort. We are now better in tune with the needs of others.

Ø And rather than believing we have all the answers (and can find our own way forward), we accept the path of “meekness”. We become newly teachable. The possibility of our original inheritance is now back in view.

We have emptied ourselves and created space ... space that can now be filled. Thus we are “hungry and thirsty” ... "hungry and thirsty" for “righteousness” … for salvation, freedom and new life. To put it another way – our stomachs are now empty and desperate for the right sort of nourishment. “Righteousness”, or, being as God would have us be, will be first sought on the inside, so that then it can be lived on the outside – in a humble public 'righteousness' that makes a difference, shines a light, and promotes hope wherever we go.

Jesus identified that the Samaritan woman at the well (in John chapter 4) was really thirsty. She was thirsty for a relationship in her life that really counted. She had misjudged that relationships with men could fill the void in her life; going from relationship to relationship to relationship with constant disappointment. This woman had failed to understand that each person, first and foremost, has a need for spiritual fulfilment in God. If we neglect this fact, then more likely than not, other things will not work out well. We will look for our acceptance, value and belonging in the wrong place. 

Jesus said to this woman:

Everyone who drinks of this water [speaking of the physical water from the local well] will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life (John 4:13-14).

This woman responded positively to Jesus, seeking this “living water”, and began telling people all about how Jesus had looked deeply into her life and touched her at her deepest point of need. She was indeed thirsty, but then, when given the way forward, drank deeply. When Jesus later referred to himself (in John 6:35) as the “bread of life”, Jesus also said, “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty”. This statement followed on from the feeding of the five thousand (which had already proved the point).

Jesus can fill us abundantly. [There are even basketfuls left over.] The more room we have, the larger our capacity for blessing. Jesus provided for those disciples he left behind; and in his absence, he also provides for us ... to the very end of the age.

So, the blessing here, for those who are “hungry and thirsty for righteousness”, is that we will be “filled”. “Filled” with what???

When Jesus had provided forgiveness and salvation, and confirmed that those who entered into the new experience of life were to follow him i.e. follow Jesus into his missional concern for all people of all nations, and to represent Jesus in all the avenues of life, Jesus told his disciples that they would need and receive help. Prior to his ascension, Jesus said,

And see, I am sending you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). This, [Jesus] said, is what you have heard from me; for John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (Acts 1:4b-5). But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a vital part of our spiritual journey. We know this because the fully human Jesus needed the Holy Spirit himself to deal with all the challenges of the ministry that lay ahead of him over the ensuing three years. It was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to have victory over all the testing and temptation through 40 days in the wilderness. It was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to heal the blind, the leprous and the demon-possessed, and raise the dead. It was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus, when faced with the torture of the cross, was able to opt for God’s will over his own sense of trepidation.

The Holy Spirit will also implant in us the seed of becoming like Jesus, leading to the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23a) growing on our tree. Also, the Holy Spirit bestows gifts on us ... so that together we can effectively be his body … bringing heaven to earth. The Holy Spirit is seeking to write the life of Jesus within us (Frank Viola).

Conclusion - from here we will be on an upward trend – toward being merciful against the tide, exhibiting a purity that is noticed and makes a difference, towards active peace-making, and dealing positively with the notion (and potential reality) of persecution.

Are we hungry and thirsty enough? Have we got into the game? Allan Meyer talks about the difference between being active participants on the sporting field, as opposed to those who just observe from the sidelines.

Have we emptied ourselves so that we can be filled? Where are we on the hungry/thirsty scale? Is the Holy Spirit evident in our lives? Are we becoming more like Jesus? Have we opened our lives to maximum levels of blessing?

We shall continue to assess these matters with the four remaining beatitudes over the next two weeks.

"The Path of Blessing" (Matthew 5:1-12 part one)

Introduction

What is blessing, and how do we get it?

We would surely want to live under blessing!

How can we consider ourselves blessed?

What is the path of blessing?

Jesus provided 8 statements that describe this!

Interesting Phrases

Jesus “saw the crowds” – natural concern, from which he would give of his best. Given the state of the world (and religion) at this time, Jesus would be teaching things that would stand in clear contrast to the ways of the world. Given the state of the world at most times in history, this same teaching would stand out as crucial and life-changing.

Jesus “went up the mountain” – this resembles Moses going up Mount Sinai to receive God’s ten commandments. This would indicate that Jesus would be adding new meaning to the commandments of old, especially in respect of how they can be lived in the cut and thrust of modern community life. Where certain interpretations had gone astray, and become restrictive rather than life-giving, Jesus would be going back to basics. Jesus made this clear a little later (5:17), when he said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfil”. This then shows the continuity between what God had tried to establish in days gone by, and now how Jesus would personify the ways of God in his very, life, death and resurrection. Jesus would get in behind the letter of the law, and show how this could be effectively lived out in a positive way.

Jesus “sat down” – this was cultural, what any respected rabbi would do to share important truths.

“His disciples came to him” – those that had already responded to Jesus and begun to follow him, would need to be the first in line to get this teaching. They could not expect the crowd to understand it or believe it or apply it, if these disciples didn’t do so first themselves. The disciples would need to be the first models of the attitudes and character traits that bring real and lasting blessing.

Yet we sense that this teaching was for everyone to hear and take notice of. We picture a broad gathering of diverse people coming to listen to this ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Following Jesus’ baptism and victory over temptation, Jesus began to teach with authority and heal the sick. People were coming from everywhere to see and hear Jesus. What the disciples would hear in the front row, would also be for the crowd that gathered in behind – as they became interested in what all the fuss was about.

Blessing

The root Greek word translated “blessed” in Matthew 5 is makarios, meaning: receiving divine favour, being fulfilled, having spiritual joy and peace, and experiencing God’s grace and presence. When we hope for “blessings” on behalf of others, this is surely what we would mean. In our text (Matthew 5:3-10), Jesus also mentions particular blessings that flow in response to certain attitudes or priorities or behaviour or character traits. We shall look at these one by one. Here, the basic lifestyle of a Christian (Jesus-follower) is mapped out. We would need to embrace these 8 characteristics if we are to live out our faith with credibility.

Fathers’ Day

Men, especially, as they consider their roles and responsibilities of being father, husband, grandfather, son, brother and friend, should look carefully at the character traits being presented by Jesus. Some of these have been read as soft or weak at times, but this could not be further from the truth. Here in the mouth of Jesus are the most significant and family-building attributes around. And, if males looked at these more seriously, they would avoid so many behaviour patterns that cause family disruption.

Leadership

If anyone wants to be a rode-model, or leader, in home, church or community, then here are the points to consider. If anyone doesn’t like the way the world looks or acts, then here are the ways forward to make a difference. If we want to offer hope in our neighbourhoods, then here is the pathway. Here is an alternative vision of interactive community life. Here are high, yet achievable, ideals. You’ll note that these character traits are NOT about ability, rather about availability … availability to God, and then to others.

Beatitudes

1.     The Poor in Spirit – there is particular blessing attached to being “poor in spirit”. Now this was, and is, right in the face of a world culture that prizes power, wealth and status. This refers to an emptying of self, such that there is maximum space for God. There is here the admission of spiritual bankruptcy without God. This is like accepting our weaknesses as opportunities for God to be our strength. This is a move from self-dependence to God-dependence. This is a return to the way we were meant to be. Rather than having to push ourselves up, this to be utterly content to be dependent on God. This is a reliance and trust in God way above any material possessions or personal ambitions. This is to understand that a preoccupation with money and worldly goods often means that others lose out. This is about NOT taking upon ourselves all the pressure to succeed or to win or to be great. That only produces anxiety. Our only goal … is to be the person God created us to be.

So we could say that being “poor in spirit” refers to humility – the sort of humility that allows God to shine. This is the sort of humility that allows us to see ourselves clearly, where our failings lie, maybe where some of our blind-spots have been, and how much we need God. We have often been so keen to impress, that we haven’t taken time to notice or attend to these areas. The humble throw themselves on the mercies of God. At the same time, this is the sort of humility that frees us from being … driven, performance based, people-pleasing, anxiety ridden wrecks. The disciple Peter was there that day on the mountain in the front row. Later, at a time of reflection, he was able to write these words in a letter (1 Peter 5:5b-8):

And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.

The blessing here, for those who are “poor in spirit”, is the “kingdom of heaven”. Here is the understanding of what ‘heaven’ is about, what God stands for, the wisdom of the ages. This is the blessing of truly knowing God. This is the blessing of knowing that you are participating with God is his reign over his Kingdom. This is the blessing of a citizenship far and above that of earth. We live on earth, but we are really citizens of heaven – God’s eternal people. We don’t sing so much “Advance Australia Fair”, but rather “To God be the Glory”. And, we remember that the “kingdom of heaven” (or the “Kingdom of God”) has a king, and his name is … Jesus!!

God brings favour to those who humbly seek him with an acknowledgement of their powerlessness and poverty, and a commitment to faith and simplicity. How do you rate on the “poor in spirit” or “humility” scale from 1 to 10?? Are you receiving the blessing of truly knowing God?

Now if we were to rate ourselves at the low end, then we need to quickly remember that we are works in progress. God has far from finished with us, and we also have the opportunity of investing in one another, so that we all move up the scale.

2.     Those Who Mourn – there is a particular blessing attached to those who “mourn”. These are those who open themselves emotionally to what is happening around them, and especially to how life impacts on them and on others. This is the opposite of closing off to the need of others, and the opposite to denying one’s own behavioural deficiencies and need. “Mourning” is often about regret, especially where others have been hurt. We regret what we did, and we also regret what that has meant (in the lives of others). Allan Meyer calls this attitude ‘emotional honesty’. “Mourning” or ‘emotional honesty’ is about a sense of unease about the more negative or sinful aspects of our life. We “mourn” that everything is NOT as it should be, and that there is so much more of God that we could be appreciating.

To “mourn” is to be prepared to be vulnerable and confess our sins. In James we read, “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed” (5:16). That probably doesn’t mean everybody, but it does mean trusted supportive wise others. Rather than covering them up, those that “mourn” talk openly about their struggles, let others into their pain … with a view to gaining support, wisdom, and being able to move forward. Those “that mourn” do NOT resort to appearance management (to avoid the issues).

Those that are prepared to be brutally honest about themselves, are likely also to be the ones who will take the required action i.e. to repent (to change). The true “mourners” will also seek to make amends where they can. An new testament example of this sort of "mourning" is Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Those who “mourn” also respond with encouragement to others who are suffering or struggling – they will “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). The feelings of others will be acknowledged; where others have burdens, we sense that we carry (or share) those burdens as well.

To be a “mourner” is also to “mourn” the situation so many people find themselves in … within such a broken world – spiritually, and also in the sense of oppression, persecution and the victims of violence. Godly “mourners” refuse to close their eyes to any human sorrow. When our heart is broken because of the world’s suffering, we have opened ourselves wide for God’s comfort to enter!

So, the blessing here, for those who are sincere in their “mourning”, is “comfort”. Essentially I think that this would be God’s comfort. God will say that “I am here for you … I always have been”. “I will forgive you … and guide you on the path of change”. God will say, “I love you, and in the midst of your mourning and emotional honesty, I will comfort you, and accompany you through to the other side”. God says, “ I have heard your prayers for the needs of the world”.

But God’s comfort is not the only comfort we might receive. Vulnerability and honesty can lead to new friendships, through which human solidarity and comfort can be found. Comfort comes as life is shared together.

How do you sense [God’s] comfort???

How do you rate on the “mourning or emotional honesty” scale from 1 to 10?? Are you receiving God’s comfort?