eFollowingJesusJan16 - Blessed (read Matthew 5:1-8)

   On a lovely hill, Jesus spoke to people who were poor, meek, overtaxed, hungry - nobodies really, eager for God to intervene and improve their lot.  Poetically he pledged them God's blessing.

   In a way Jesus is recommending what we need to cultivate in our hearts:  a poverty of spirit aware of its need for God, a humble meekness, a pure heart, mercy, a hunger for intimacy with God.  In another sense, these "beatitudes" are autobiographical:  Jesus was poor, he mourned not just death but also how the world gets out of sync with God.  He was meek.  His food was doing God's will.  He was merciful with the worst people.  His heart was pure...  So, the closer we get to Jesus, the more these "beatitudes" describe us.

   The blessings promised?  Great job, big house, grand vacations, fashionable clothes, cool friends?  No.  Jesus offers us a place in the kingdom of God, comfort when there is no comfort, the satisfaction of righteousness, mercy, and a reasonably clear glimpse of God - which is plenty enough, right?

   Lord, help me begin to discover in my soul a palpable poverty, mourning, purity, mercy, hunger for righteousness, and meekness - and to expect Your blessings of mercy, comfort, seeing You, the Kingdom.

James

james@mpumc.org

I've just had published a new book on this passage:  The Beatitudes for Today (if you'd like to probe more deeply).

Here is the full text of Matthew 5:1-8 -  1: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2: And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

The full eFollowingJesus series (thus far!) may be found on our web site.