"Now Hear This" #3

Since Jesus had already begun his teaching ministry and his fame had begun to rapidly spread throughout the region, he took advantage of the multitude of people who had begun to follow he and his disciples and sat down to lay a very new foundation of what God's will for them was and still is. His Sermon on the Mount does not really contain the elements of the gospels requirements, but it lays out a dramatic contrast to the the Law that had been given to their ancestors by Moses. He said -

• "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17

During this sermon he repeatedly states, "you have heard that it was said........but I say to you" which obviously is intended to draw them away from what they had been taught all their lives. He even uses the scribes and Pharisees as an example to contrast what they were accustomed to hearing that was no longer acceptable to God. By using the word "fulfill" he emphasizes that the Law they were so culturally accustomed to was now brought to it's completion by God through him and his teaching.

He introduces this teaching with the word "Blessed". He uses this word 9 times to kind of lay out a new way of thinking and living in the Father's kingdom. That word means "fully satisfied". In fact each of those 9 statements could be prefaced with "because of me". So, as we read these statements we should have that phrase "because of me" in mind. Lets look then at Matthew 5:3-10 NKJV

• "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

This phrase is applicable to all of us at some time in our lives. It doesn't really mean one who is humble, but rather one who is helpless. Jesus says the Father wants to reach out to that faithful person who is struggling to see a way through some depressing, overwhelming circumstance.

• "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

This could apply to all situations of mourning/crying. However the word for mourn here probably is pointing to grief or sorrow over sin, all sin. The word "comforted" surely is the end result of being forgiven by God and a new way of seeing a new reality for self and others.

• "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

The 'meek' here are those who humbly submit to the Father's will. Meekness in this context is not  some mild mannered introvert who hesitates to speak up for themselves. No, this person recognizes the love and power of God and trusts that love no matter what. Jesus says, they will finally win.

• "Blessed are  those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled."

To me this seems to honor the person who is satisfied with the Father to hear and follow His word again and again and again and again. Being hungry and thirsty is a never ending part of life. So is being hungry and thirsty for the word and blessings of God the Father. Never ending.

• "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."

Mercy is a powerful and positive attitude that we all must learn to adopt. It is a learned reaction to our own and others failures. If you haven't yet done so, please resign from the judge's bench. Only God can judge because only He is qualified. Jesus will say this often during his ministry.

• "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

 This statement points to the heart of God as our model for our motives and actions. Purity of heart is a continuous commitment to reflect the heart of God in any and every circumstance.The word "see" here is a progressive recognition of God working in my heart and life. It can mean "experience".

• "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God."

In my spirit this points to a way of life that we can only learn from God. Being a peacemaker isn't always easy because Satan wants to control how we think, which is how he controls what we say and do. Sometimes you just have to look him in the eye and say, "NO!" just like Jesus did. We must allow God's love, mercy and grace to become a controlling aspect of our life.

• "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus knew what lay ahead for his disciples, and even for him. That persecution continues all over the world today. Even in those areas where it is ugliest, the kingdom is alive and growing. Persecution of Christians was belched forth out of the pit of hell itself . Jesus knew it would. Read Revelations 12 and know the devil will not win this war that began in heaven itself.

Thank you dear reader, for hanging with me here. Looking forward to seeing you again.