In this episode of Rediscovering God we complete the remaining beatitudes in Matthew 5. Blessed are the Merciful, Pure in Heart, the Peacemakers and the Persecuted. In each one we describe what it is not referring to, then what it means and then how we find it in Jesus life. We conclude with a look at how God is each of these beatitudes. As Christians we are assured that as we grow in relationship with Jesus we will also become these attributes rather than something we are to strive for. Welcome to the Kingdom of Heaven where these attitudes prevail.
SHOW NOTES
5 Mercy
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Jesus could be quoting Psalm 18:35: ‘With the merciful, you show yourself merciful.”
Merciful does not mean we are kind because we want something from the receiver of our kindness. It is not acting out of fear for an opponent.
Mercy does mean we offer unconditional forgiveness in place of revenge. Giving undeserved kindness because of the compassion of the giver’s heart. Mercy and forgiveness are siamese twins. Mercy is costly. It is to give with no thought of return or reward. A merciful person will often lose a great deal of their comfort and equity, but they have the certain knowledge that they are people of compassion. Mercy nurtures life. Where there is mercy there is hope. We are merciful because God has been merciful to us. The Hebrew word for mercy is “rah-CHUM” and its meaning is compassion, pity, showing restraint in imposing punishment.
When Moses asked to see God’s glory the LORD proclaimed his mercy and compassion (Exodus 34:6). Thus when Paul defines sin as coming short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) he means sin to lack mercy and compassion.
Jesus is promising that on the last day, mercy will be shown to those who have been merciful. This is an important promise because at times the merciful are shown no mercy in this age. Jesus is the best example of a merciful person who received no mercy during and especially at the end of His earthly life (Jeremiah 31:34; Matthew 6:12; Matthew 18:21; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13; James 2:13).
6. Pure in heart
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Psalm 24:4a-5b “The one with clean hands and pure heart will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of their salvation.”
Pure in heart does not mean faking it to make it. It does not mean showing kindness because you have a selfish motive. Heart purity does not mean ignorance of wickedness.
Pure in heart does means that one has integrity, there is no ulterior motive. It means to have a holy focus on making joy and happiness for others. It refers to the motives which drive our thinking and feeling. Purity of heart refers to motives not information. God knows everything but is not sullied by anything because of the pureness of his heart of love.
We only see what we are looking for. I will never see the first robin in Spring. This is left for the bird watchers. I do not see wedding dresses as my wife sees them. To see God means there is a desire to see him as he is. Because God is pure this is reserved for the pure in heart. Our eyes are ever looking for that which we desire in our hearts and minds. Those who are pure in heart will see God in many instances where the worldly, those who seek position, power and possessions are blind. They are blinded by the god of this world who would fascinate them with glitter and glamour at every turn.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
To see God is not referring to literally seeing. When we say, “I see!”we often mean we understand. To see God is not confined to the physical observation of God, as those who saw Jesus Christ with their own eyes 2000 years ago, or those who will see Him come again. To see God means to comprehend a little of the wonder of Him in our thoughts and feelings. The “tourist” sees what he wants to see.
Jesus came to our planet 2000 years ago and many did not see Him as the LORD. They saw only a carpenter, a miracle man, a Galilean. It was their hearts that prevented their “eyes” from comprehending what was before them in flesh and blood. I attend a symphony concert and miss most of what happens because I do “hear” but not comprehend the interwoven melodies and counter play between the instruments. It is those who have disciplined their musical skills who hear mor of the music at a symphony concert.
The Old Testament writers understood heart purity.
Psalm 24:3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Saviour. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah.
7. Peacemakers
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.
Psalm 34:4 “Turn away from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.”
Peacemakers are not troublemakers. Canadians had the reputation of being peacekeepers but peace makers are more than peacekeepers.
Peacemaking is normal in the Kingdom of Heaven. Making peace requires more energy and resources than keeping peace. Making a fine vehicle requires engineers and sophisticated tools and processes. Keeping a fine car only requires new oil, soap and water and a vacuum. It is the sons and daughters of God who can make peace because they have met the Prince of Peace. It is hard work. It means one can never consider one’s own desires but the best good of the kingdom. It is to be other worldly in the best sense.
Peacekeeping requires the keeping of the antagonists apart. Peacemaking means the antagonists become friends. The apostle Paul starts most of his letters with “grace and peace” to you. He was angry with Jesus Christ and His followers at the beginning of his life. After the Damascus Road confrontation he is a man of peace. There is the security of knowing that he is loved and valued in heaven which changes him from and angry, vindictive, harsh man into the writer of 1 Corinthians 13 the most quoted passage on the nature of love. Peace making on this planet often, if not always, requires the absorption of anger and hostility. This is what the cross demonstrates. By absorbing our hostility (Romans 8:7) Jesus made peace (Col 1:20).
James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. We press on then, in peace, to raise this harvest for the Prince of Peace.
8. Persecution
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Is Jesus quoting from Psalm 31:15? “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.”
Persecution for righteousness is not persecution for our stubbornness, pride, prejudice, and our ideologies or our goodness.
Persecution for righteousness does mean we are persecuted for our allegiance to Christ and His character. As we share in the suffering, he endured we are blessed.These are the times that before we enter His glory we must share in His suffering (Romans 8:17).
Suffering is not the condition for glory but the path to glory in a world of sin. Suffering
never surprises the citizens of the kingdom. It might be physical, emotional or spiritual but we have a hope in our hearts which triumphs over suffering (Hebrews 12:2). It is not to be taken personally for anyone who stands for the Kingdom of Heaven will be persecuted.Since we will be persecuted and we need to take care of ourselves. Jesus took good care of Himself through going apart in prayer and meditation. He also prepared for ministry by being a carpenter for 15 years. When there is a loss of pressure in an aircraft cabin you need to take the oxygen mask first before you help others get theirs. It is imperative to care for yourself in all situations.
When we are falsely accused and insulted because we belong to the Kingdom of Heaven we do not respond with the same. We overcome evil with kindness and compassion as Jesus did.
God and the Beatitudes
Does God live in harmony with the above teachings of Jesus? A resounding yes.God is poor in spirit and humble (Philippians 2:5-8). God mourns for the effects of sin (Matthew 23:3?). God is meek and gentle (Matthew 11:29-30). God hungers and thirsts for righteousness on our planet. God is merciful. God is pure in heart. God is a peacemaker. God is persecuted for his righteousness.If we focus on Messiah, we find that Jesus lived out these principles exactly in His life and death and Resurrection. Jesus is God incarnated as a human being, thus if Jesus’ behaviour is consistent with the Beatitudes, then we can conclude that God’s thoughts and actions are consistent too.
Christians and the Beatitudes
We are “beings” not “doings.” It is in our “being,” or in our identity that we identify with Christ rather than in our “doing” or performance. There is always doing but it flows from our being or identity. We might act to make an impression but the truth about ourselves will surface eventually.What does it mean to “be”?
We know we are royalty in the making (Romans 8:17). We know we are loved and affirmed by God and we pass love on. We are interested in others because they too are children of God.
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