"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.