BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part VIII)

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part VIII)

In our attempt to portray the PERSON and WORK of JESUS CHRIST, we will delve further into His TEACHING MINISTRY.  Perhaps, there is no better starting point than the message that many Bible scholars regard as His greatest, The Sermon on The Mount. (Matthew, chapters 5-7, et al)

The Sermon on the Mount commences with Matthew’s introduction: “And seeing the multitudes, he [JESUS] went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)  The Sermon on the Mount is actually a comprehensive overview of Christ’s teachings on the Kingdom of God. 

Following is a basic summary of the nine Beatitudes or Blessed Sayings of Jesus Christ.  Each refers to a desirable spiritual state or discipline that will be manifested in the actions and attitudes of believers through the ongoing operation of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s briefly consider each – bearing in mind that thousands of extensive sermons have been written on each one.

(1)     Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 5:3)

Here, Jesus refers to people who sense their insufficiency in the presence of The All-Sufficient One.  GOD, alone, is able to satisfy the deepest yearnings of the human heart.  Jesus described two opposite approaches to God: the Pharisees who exhibited self-righteousness and the publicans (sinners) who were keenly aware of their need for grace, mercy and forgiveness. (Luke 18:9-14)  His spiritual lesson is crystal-clear: God “resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5)

(2)    Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  (Matthew 5:4)

The Psalmist David wrote: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Mourning, the result of personal loss, is not (in and of itself) a blessing, but for every believer invariably leads to divine favor.  When Jesus references such mourning, He does so in the context of the comforting presence of His Holy Spirit which is dispatched posthaste to any believer who experiences the excruciating pain of the loss of loved ones.  The blessing in the mourning is the promise of the morning!  Jesus offers this blessed assurance.  “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

(3)    Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  (Matthew 5:5)

According to Dictionary.com, “meekness” means being “humbly patient under provocation from others.”  It is synonymous with a mindset that is “forbearing, unassuming, pacific, gentle and calm.”  In our age of self-promotion and braggadocio, meekness is indeed a rare commodity.  Christ uses this beatitude to portray the believer’s position within a spiritually oppositional world system.  We are IN the world, “not OF the world.” (John 17:14)  Our allegiances, actions and attitudes must reflect this fact. (Acts 20:32)  Therefore, our only “boast” is “in the Lord,” and we have His assurance that, ultimately, we win.  (Psalm 34:2 – Romans 3:27) 

(4)    Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be FILLED. (Matthew 5:6)

Only those who possess genuine and sustained “hunger” and “thirst” for the things of God will be sufficiently motivated to search until they actualize true covenant and fellowship with Him.  “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

(5) BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL: FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY. (Matthew 5:7)

MERCY is the application of grace (undeserved favor) despite willful personal trespasses or sins.  It is that loving quality of Almighty God which fundamentally distinguishes Him from all others.  His mercy is beyond human comprehension, so vast and so omnipresent that it defies description.  David could only summarize its extraordinary effects by declaring that “His mercy is everlasting” – “His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 100:5 – Psalm 118:1) Since we are afforded this magnanimous gift, it is incumbent upon us to emulate mercy in all our relationships.  Also, since our Father offers personal forgiveness IN THE SAME MEASURE as we mete it out to others, our demonstrations of mercy are indispensable keys to everlasting union with Him. (Matthew 6:12)

(6) BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART: FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD. (Matthew 5:8)

PURITY OF HEART is both a gracious gift from God and the product of personal choice.  Only the Father can completely purge us from sin and iniquity. (Ephesians 5:25-27) Nevertheless, in direct partnership with the Holy Spirit, WE become active participants in the process of personal sanctification. (Leviticus 20:7 – I Thessalonians 5:23) This process is SPIRITUAL PRUNING or SPIRITUAL PURGING. (John 15:1-3) We have a marvelous promise from God that motivates us: “IF a man therefore purge himself…he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (II Timothy 2:21 – II Corinthians 7:1) Only as we participate fully in the sanctification process are we eligible to “see God” in peace. (Matthew 5:8)

(7) BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD. (Matthew 5:9)

Paul wrote to the Church of Rome, “If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18) Believers do adhere to Biblical principles in our personal relationships.  Christians should never be rightfully accused of sowing seeds of “discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:14;19) Rather, we become proactive participants in the peace process, which means, on a practical basis, that our words must be wisely chosen, “always with grace…that you may know how you ought to answer” one another. (Colossians 4:6 – James 3:1-13) PEACE-MAKING begins or ends with the human tongue.

(8) BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE: FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. (Matthew 5:10)

The aging Apostle Paul warned young Pastor Timothy: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer PERSECUTION.” (II Timothy 3:12) Appearances notwithstanding, the Apostle James contends that TRIALS are fundamentally profitable for believers, who should “count it all joy” because “the testing of faith produces patience.” (James 1:2) Paul expands on James’ thought: “Perseverance (patience) produces character; and character hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)  The implication is quite clear.  The manner in which we believers handle persecution is a direct and effective witness of the Father’s love that resides within. (I Corinthians, chapter 13)

(9) BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN MEN SHALL REVILE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU, AND SHALL SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY, FOR MY SAKE. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12)

This final beatitude is necessary because of the future tribulation and martyrdom of Christ’s chosen apostles. Indeed, only one of The Twelve died due to natural causes.  Persecution was such an integral component of The Early Church that it was used by God to disperse the faithful and to actualize The Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20) Modern day believers are experiencing increasing levels of persecution.  Although we seem somewhat oblivious to it, believers in various parts of the world are currently ostracized, beaten, imprisoned and killed for their faith. Jesus Christ challenges those who exist in these dire straits to “rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12)  Think.  If such persecutions were to arrive at our shores, would WE be ready to faith-fully answer the call?

Jesus Christ culminates this part of The Sermon on the Mount with a powerful admonition for disciples:

Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

Bottom-line: It is our indispensable mandate to illuminate this generation – that Christ termed, “crooked and perverse” – with the life-changing “Light of the World.” (Philippians 2:15 – John 9:5 – Matthew 5:14)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!