Sermonette: August 26, 2024

Peace and Grace to you from our Heavenly Father.

We continue our discussion of the Beatitudes that we began a couple of weeks ago. The Beatitudes can be found in Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew. As we mentioned then, they are part of what has become known as Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. They are not a “to-do list” that we need to try to accomplish, but rather they provide a picture of what a Christian life looks like. We also discussed that first week that the order in which Jesus presented them was for a specific reason. They are in a specific order in which leads us from the first to the last, needing the one previous to reach the next. We covered the first two in the first installment, we discussed the next three last week and we finish up with the last three this week

The sixth Beatitude is “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” What comes to mind when you read this? A common response might be, well of course, as Christians we all will see God and join him in Heaven. Or some might say that as humans, we can't be pure in heart and we need God’s forgiveness because we lack that purity. Correct answers both. The answer arises in how we define purity. We tend to think of purity as something perfect so we might get confused when we hear Jesus say that blessed are the pure in heart. Jesus isn't' speaking about perfection here. Think of an uncut diamond. It is rough and doesn't have the sparkle of a cut diamond that we see in jewelry. That doesn't mean it is worthless. It is still valuable. Jesus speaks of a pure heart, not perfect, but a heart with value. So, what does purity of heart look like to us? We believe in our hearts that the one true God is our creator and that Jesus Christ is His son and our Savior. Think of I John 1:9 – we will be cleansed from all unrighteous. We trust with our hearts that Jesus' death and resurrection was done for our benefit so that we will face God with all sins forgiven. In Psalm 51, David asks for a clean heart and renewed spirit. Although a human with flaws, he was pure in heart in his relationship with God.

Next in line we have “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Pretty straightforward here. As Christians we certainly don't want war and we know we already are God's children. Why would Jesus point this out as an example of what a Christian life looks like? What we should be asking is what does being a peacemaker entail? For one, we should be proactive. I don't mean we should be self-appointed policemen seeking to restore order. But if there is trouble brewing in a family matter, perhaps between spouses or between siblings, or between parent and child, don't sit on the sidelines and let it simmer. Seek a way to settle the problem amiably and fairly. The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to find the solution. This doesn't only apply to families but in our churches as well. Disagreements among council members, councils and pastors, and so forth. Address the problem before it grows into hostility. In our daily lives, if you have been wronged, work to find forgiveness. Don't hold a grudge. If you have wronged someone, apologize and seek reconciliation. It sounds easier than it is but don't give up when success doesn't come immediately. I know of neighbors that harbored a feud for years, not speaking to each other. Paul, in writing to the Romans, said if your enemy is hungry, feed him. Good advice. This may take a very long time but, in the end, if your enemy dines at your table, chances are he is no longer an enemy, but a friend. You have promoted peace.

We come to the eighth on the list: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." The prior seven Beatitudes show what a Christian life looks like and that we hope they describe us, our faith and our behavior. However, this last one is in a category all its own. Verses 10 and 11 are considered as one Beatitude. Obviously this one is different because nobody strives or desires to be reviled or persecuted or have evil lies told about them because of their faith. But of those who suffer such indignities, Jesus says we will be blessed. Jesus told his disciples people would turn against them because they chose to follow Jesus. He also said his preaching would split up families. It continues. Islam is basically a religion of peace. However, some zealots have decided that Christianity is their enemy and have vowed to wage war against us at all costs. Under Caesar, Christians were often used for entertainment in fights to the death or had lions turned loose upon them. Why? Because Caesar was considered god and the Christians refused to acknowledge Caesar as god, saying their God was the one true God. Christian missionaries in some countries are at risk of being arrested. In a much milder example, even in some school systems our Christian youth are made fun of, thought to be “weirdos” because of their faith. Why do we put up with it? Because we know that God's kingdom awaits us. When our earthly lives are over, we will join God in heaven. It is the power and the promise of the Cross that assures us of that.

We've come to the end. I encourage you to go to Matthew 5:1-11 and read the Beatitudes once again. Hopefully, you will see them in a new light. Blessings to you.