Sermon delivered by the Rev. Richard Marsden
Blessed. It’s a word that means exalted happiness. If I were to ask you this morning how many of you would say you are blessed, I think many, if not all, would answer in the affirmative:
I am blessed to have a job, I am blessed with a wonderful family, a wonderful spouse, I am blessed to have the life I have.
Now in the gospel lesson we heard this morning from the fifth chapter of Matthew, we hear Jesus using that word blessed but in an entirely different sphere.
In talking to his disciples on the mount, Jesus repeatedly appeals to that state of being blessed but he deals not with external life, but interior life – soul stuff – because it is the soul stuff, the attitude of the heart that determines whether one is truly blessed by God. Jesus points out that being truly blessed may in fact run counter to what we normally desire, because it is not about our enjoyment or comfort but how we relate to God and the world; it is about becoming Christ-like, about being his disciples, having Jesus’ attitude about life.
Jesus says: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The attitude of being poor in spirit is to be humble before God, knowing that without him we are spiritually bankrupt. It is an attitude of coming to him with empty pockets as it were, to be completely dependent upon Jesus Christ.
The world tells us to be independent and self sufficient; a God helps those who help themselves proposition.
But for those who are humble in spirit, Jesus promises that they will be living in the kingdom of God. The result of being poor in spirit has immediate results – we experience God’s care and provision here and now. Kingdom living is complete and utter dependence upon Jesus and him alone.
Jesus says: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. To mourn is not merely to be sad over a loss we have experienced, though that aspect is surely included in this promise, but it is more about having the heart of the prophet who mourns over the sins of Israel. It is having the heart of Jesus who mourns over those caught up in rebellion against him. It is not to be indifferent to sin and rebellion. It is to feel grief that the light has come into the world, yet some choose darkness and death.
The world tells us why worry? To each his own, as long as it doesn’t affect me, but Jesus promises that for those who do have his heart, who grieve over those caught in sin, who intercede for them in prayer and action, we will be comforted, we will have the joy of his presence, his assurance that he is in control and is ultimately victorious. We will know his comfort both here and in eternity.
Jesus says: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
To be meek is to be strong to the world in faith and humble minded towards God. It is to accept his sovereignty and lordship in our lives and to humbly submit our will, our lives to his purpose.
The world tells us that we create our own success and that success can be gained at any cost. Might makes right, and the end justifies the means.
But Jesus tells us that for those who are submitted to his lordship, who submit to his power, they inherit the earth. It becomes theirs because it cannot control them.
Jesus says: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to yearn after a holiness and satisfaction that only God can give. It is to recognize that we live in a spiritual desert, and there are spiritual voids in our lives, and we must strive to be filled by that which the lord only can provide, or we die.
The world tells us to eat drink and be merry. It tells us that we should strive for self fulfillment, grab for the gusto, then we will be happy.
But Jesus says that for those who hunger and thirst after him, his promise is, if we seek we will find, if we knock it will be opened, and we will be satisfied completely.
Jesus says: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. To be merciful is to have compassion; to care for others in the same way Jesus has cared for us. It is to have a genuine concern for the well being of others, it is a willingness to sacrifice our own wants for the sake of another.
The world tells us: no mercy, survival of the fittest, eat or be eaten. Jesus says to those who show mercy, he will show mercy to them. We affirm this every time we pray: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Jesus says: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. To be pure in heart is to be God motivated, and God driven. It is to be pure and innocent in all our actions, thoughts, and behaviors, that our lives would reflect Christ.
The world tells us to be or to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Compromise anyone or anything to get your success. Jesus says: You who are my disciples are to have integrity, be transparently holy, and he will reveal himself to you and through you to the world.
Jesus says: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Peacemakers are those who make peace with others a way of life, getting rid of animosities and resentments against others in their lives. It is seeking to be a bridge builder between heaven and earth, to establish peace between God and man through Jesus Christ. It is to take the hand of a sinner and put it in the hand of Christ.
Jesus says: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus says: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of things against you because of me, rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
These last two attitudes reflect a willingness to let go of everything for Jesus, to be willing to sacrifice all for the truth that is in Christ.
The world would have us compromise, just get along, and use our experience our existence, our possessions to hold us hostage. Jesus says if you are willing to give it all up for me you will get it back with dividends.
Jesus tells us today that to be blessed, we must be a blessing. He tells us: Be my reflection in the world, let your life reflect my attitudes. If your eyes are on me, my hand is on you and you will be blessed.
Let us pray this day that Jesus, who calls us to such a high calling, will give us a heart to desire this calling and his Holy Spirit empower us to accomplish it.