Delivered Jan. 20, 2008
by Pastor Eric Henderson
Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
On the hot dusty streets of Belize City, a crowd quickly gathered to watch and listen. Two men, one hitting the other with a long 2x4, were the center of attention. The one with the 2x4 was demanding repayment of money from the other who contended he didn't have the money and was trying to leave. Some in the crowd were yelling at the two men, others were talking to each other, most seemed content to remain uninvolved. The men and the crowd were living according to a set of ethics or beliefs.
We join the crowds gathered around TVs, computers, radios, newspapers and magazines to watch and listen. Bombings, shootings, debates, accidents, domestic violence, bullying in schools, the price of oil, tax hikes or tax cuts and the weather are the center of attention. Some in the crowd are yelling, others talking to each other, some are content to remain uninvolved. The people and events portrayed to the crowd and the response of the crowd are living according to a set of ethics or beliefs.
But today we join the crowd gathered around Jesus because we have heard him invite us to come follow and have decided to follow. We have watched Jesus forgive and heal and set people free from demons, and walked up to people inviting them to come follow me. We gather to hear Jesus teach a way of life, or ethic that affects how we live.
Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The crowd must have gawked in amazement. There on his knees before Jesus pleading was the highly respected intelligent leader of the synagogue. His daughter was dying and his praying, the physicians, the healers-no one had been able to stop her decline. He was at the end of himself. He probably couldn't believe that his righteous living and obedience to the laws hadn't resulted in a healthy daughter. Jairus was poor in spirit. So he knelt before Jesus and humbly asked for help.
William Barclay restates Jesus beatitude this way. Blessed is the one who has realized his own utter helplessness, and who has put their whole trust in God. Jesus pronounced a deep abiding joy or blessing for those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
If Jesus is king and there's a kingdom, the disciples figured there were important positions of power next to the king. So they asked who would be great in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus called a little child and placed the child in the middle of the group. Then he told the disciples to change and become humble like a little child.
There is deep abiding joy for the humble who know their own ignorance, weakness and need of God's forgiveness and pity. Then rely on God to secure their place in his kingdom.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Linda Witmer served and ministered about Jesus to the Keckci Indians of Guatemala for at least 20 years. Sometimes when Linda stories about their poverty due to injustices, physical abuse, addictions and other sins she cried for them. She has been comforted often because many Keckci people have become followers of Jesus and live in new ways.
There is deep abiding joy and comfort sometime for those who grieve the condition of the world due to their own sin and the sin of others.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
A traveling diplomat believed in God, but had some questions about some of the things in the book of Isaiah. Another man traveling the same way noticed the important looking man reading from Isaiah and asked if he understood. The diplomat didn't so the other shared good news about God and Jesus. The diplomat wanted to be baptized, so at the next stop where there was water, he was baptized and continued on his journey with great joy. That's my version of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian.
There is deep abiding joy for those who yearn for a deeper and right relationship with God and others. They are the poor in spirit who realize they have needs only God can fulfill.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Begging and pleading before the rich landowner was a man who owed millions. So the rich landowner took pity and canceled the debt. Soon afterwards the man was before him again, because he had not shown pity on someone who owed him some money. Jesus said God has forgiven us and has taken pity on us and expects us to forgive and show pity to others.
There is deep abiding joy for the one who forgives and shows mercy to others the way God has forgiven and shown mercy.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
A rich young man approached Jesus and asked him what he needed to do to get eternal life. Jesus told him to obey all the commandments which the man said he already did. Jesus said, there' one more thing. Sell all your possessions and give them to the poor, then come follow me.
Jesus could have made a deal, such as sell everything, give 50% away to the poor, keep 25% for yourself, and give me the other 25%. But Jesus was pure in his motives and life in all relationships and dealings. Jesus commitments and faith in all circumstances allowed him to see God and experience God intimately.
There is a deep abiding joy for those of genuine faith and commitment who have integrity in all relationships and in all dealings. They will know God in an intimate way.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Momma knelt before king Jesus, as a sign of submission before making her request. She wanted only the best positions for her two sons, and wasn't afraid to ask.
Word of the asking got back to the other disciples and caused anger in the other disciples. Meddling mothers, possible promotions, jealousies, anger-what an ideal mixture for an all out fight. Possibly resulting in twelve men returning to fishing, tax collecting, families and hometowns.
Jesus called the disciples together and told them if anyone wanted greatness and first place in the kingdom, they would be a servant or a slave.
A potentially destructive storm was calmed. Relationships were restored.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John had a heavenly vision of things that are and things that will be. He saw many in white robes surrounding the throne occupied by Jesus appearing like a lamb that was slain. John was told the ones in white robes are those who endured persecution because they completely depended on God, mourned for their sin and the sin of others, hungered for a right relationship with God, extended mercy, lived with purity and integrity, and were peacemakers.
Even though persecution awaits those who follow the ways of Jesus, a deep abiding joy is promised. Sometimes that joy is realized now, other times in the future.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Some recipes for cookies or pies call for a sweetener and soon after a small amount of salt. Salt is a contrasting flavor to sugar, honey, maple syrup.
If you turn on a lamp outside on a sunny day it's hard to tell if it's on or not. But if you turn a lamp on outside at night you can easily see if it's on or not. The light is a contrast to the dark.
This child born king-Jesus-reigned in a way that was a contrast to most other kings. He had no servant, but was a servant. He had no earthly castle or mansion, but promises a heavenly mansion to all who follow him. He had no military, yet conquered sin and death.
Followers of Jesus are to live as a contrast to others who do not follow Jesus.
Recently Coordinating Council has struggled to make a decision regarding insurance. Insurance companies advise churches and other groups that relate to many people to have insurance coverage for Abuse, Molestation and Harassment. To this point, no one is aware of any inappropriate behavior. The decision was made to create an Abuse Prevention Declaration that might allow us to have insurance coverage for Abuse, Molestation and Harassment. You will be asked at Annual meeting to decide whether to apply for that insurance or not.
Followers of Jesus are to be a contrast to others in the way we relate to those with less power, and those of the opposite sex. Statistics indicate that even in churches abuses occur. 37 orf43 documented cases of abuse took place in small congregations or rural communities.
As followers of Jesus, I suggest we can be a contrast-salt and light- by showing love and concern for one another in ways that would be difficult for someone to misconstrue as abuse of another.
It is difficult to misconstrue a hug as inappropriate physical touch, if permission has been asked and granted, the hug is to the side or most of the contact is from the waist up, and it's in a public place with others present. It is difficult to misconstrue as inappropriate treatment of children, if a child moves towards an adult and gives them a spontaneous hug or kiss in a public place with others present. An adult demanding or coercing a hug or kiss from a child while alone is inappropriate use of power.
In all areas of our life, in all our relationships Jesus desires that we are a contrast to others that follow a different ethic than what Jesus taught. Particularly, how we relate to those making decisions that we believe are not following the ways of God, or those that may have addictions, or needs for change. Let us practice the ways of Jesus as we relate to them.
Jesus promises a deep abiding joy now and forever as we practice the ethics of the kingdom.
Petitcodiac Mennonite Church