When
Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside.
Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him.
Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing
companions. This is what he said:
-
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less
of you there is more of God and his rule.
-
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to
you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
-
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no
more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners
of everything that can’t be bought.
-
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.
He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
-
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being
‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
-
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and
heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
-
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead
of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are,
and your place in God’s family.
-
“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
- “Not
only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down
or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it
means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are
uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer,
even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven
applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and
witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
What
an incredible insider's view into Jesus' ministry. The heart of the
matter – you are blessed. In ways too numerous to count! The
Beatitudes. A wonderful passage of scripture that can become so
familiar that we lose touch with the message. It can become rote and
then it becomes audible wallpaper...if I had read this same list of
blessings from the translations of our youth – you might be tuned
out by the 3rd or 4th “Blessed are” - give
it a try:
KJV
Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they
shall obtain mercy. By this time, I'm looking for check boxes like
I'm filling out a form at the doctor's office. Seizures? No. Sleep
Disorders? Yes. Meek? Not really. Mourning? Not at the moment.
That's
why I love Peterson's version of this encounter between teacher and
followers. Because it gives me a different perspective on the
“categories” of blessings. It places me in relationship to each
of them. And we'll take a closer look...in due course...
But
first I made a promise on social media to explain why the title of my
message for today is “# (hashtag) blessed” and I hate to
disappoint the 2 or 3 of you who might have seen it! I'm going to
need to explain what a hashtag is...for some of you. If you already
know, then take the next 60 seconds to post a selfie or something.
That
punctuation mark that we used to use for pound or number, it's now
referred to as a hashtag. The official definition: Hashtag (noun) (on
social media sites such as Twitter) a word or phrase preceded by a
hash or pound sign (#) and used to identify messages on a specific
topic. What is it good for? If you use it, then if someone searches
for things including that word or phrase – they see that stuff
first. That's the best I can do – get a 12 year old to give you a
better explanation.
Now
that you know what a hashtag is (selfies down) – know that I
searched for social media posts with #blessed. I found a WHOLE lot of
sports references. “Falcons
headed to the Super Bowl #blessed.”
And what were clearly some student posts. “Calculus
prof out with head cold. #blessed.”
And some great looking food pictures that just don't translate well
here... But there were also some blessings posted about that touched
my heart: “As
long as I was able to encourage/inspire at least one person, then I
did what I was supposed to do ❤️#blessed”
and “1st
generation high school graduate #blessed”
and “two
years sober today! I'm blessed to still be on this earth doing what I
love to do with the people that supported me the whole way.
#blessed.”
and I have to tell you this one: “Got
pulled over doing 42 in a 30. Told the police officer I'm in a rush
because Popeye's closes at 9:30 and he let me go. He a real one
#blessed”
Because
we have to recognize the blessings of laughter...and chicken...
I
used to think that the beatitudes were listing … I don't know …
something akin to prizes
for particular types of suffering. “Well...if you're meek enough
then you'll inherit the earth.” or “poor in spirit? You get the
kingdom of
heaven!”
And for those who are persecuted for my name's sake? Tell 'em what
they've won Johnny! Well...they get the
kingdom of heaven!”
Hey...I thought the poor in spirit got that...
Jesus
is describing how his followers (and that includes us) are to live as
God’s people in this world—not simply by calling attention to all
the many ways God has #blessed us personally—but by “being a
blessing for others.”
This
was a radically new teaching for the people in Jesus’ day. In the
ancient world, just like today, many people believed strongly in
cause and effect. They believed that if they were good people who
followed God’s commandments, worked hard, and tried to do their
best in all circumstances, God would reward them with good health,
food to eat, stable jobs, happy families, and prosperity. Likewise,
they believed that God punished the sinful with illness, poverty,
imprisonment, blindness, divorce, and the heartbreak of psoriasis.
Many believed that God even punished entire sinful populations
through war, famine, droughts, and other disasters.
If a
man was sick, or mourning, or poor in spirit, or starving, or
persecuted, it was his own fault for sinning. A woman who suffered
did so as the consequence of her own bad behavior because suffering
was understood as punishment for sin.
But
now radical Jesus is saying it doesn’t work like that in the
kingdom of God. It isn’t that we are wrong to feel #blessed when
something goes our way. But when things do not go our way, that
doesn’t mean God is punishing us either. God’s kingdom is a whole
different playing field.
"Let's
examine a few of these blessing statements together," is what I thought I'd say next... You see, I was sharing
with my sister Denise earlier this week that I was going to base my message around a
different translation of some of the Beatitudes. She asked which
ones. A reasonable question. As I sat to write, I still didn't have
the answer. They are ALL so good!! After embracing this passage and
studying on it for a week – it's like deciding which three or four
of your nine kids goes to Disneyland. That first one, about less of
me and more of God...can't let that one go...I think I need to tattoo
that one on my forehead. And comforting the mourning...that's
important. Choir singing about the pure in heart, maybe I should
include that. And what about peace-making? Isn't that exactly what
this world needs today? This congregation? So many relationships, so
much hurt in need of healing. But I have to be realistic. I've either
got to pick or I'll end up the the Spark Notes version.
So I
stopped and prayed and took time away from writing – which is like
talking for me. And went back to listening. I said to God – you
know my struggle. I'm torn in so many directions. People keep saying
“you should speak on this. you need to lead the congregation by
preaching on love. Or forgiveness. Or accountability. Or commitment.”
And then I have the ME to deal with Lord. How do I make sure that I'm
keeping myself focused on your leading? Why is it hard to hear your
voice in this Lord? I'm at the end of my rope...
And
the cloud lifted and my direction became clear. Belva's message to
the children is accurate – this passage has ingredients for a
blessed life. And like all recipes...if you leave out an ingredient,
then you can't get the best results. My great grandmother was an
incredible cook. Not a fancy chef, and I don't remember much about
her knife skills – but she was one of those intuitive cooks that
never measure anything. Before she got sick, one of the family made
her write down the recipes for favorite dishes and especially her
baked goods. Those handwritten cards are treasured family heirlooms –
but they don't produce the same results that Nannie got. I dearly
loved her chocolate chip cookies and followed her written
instructions to the letter...but they weren't right at all. It took
years for someone to figure out that she left out the milk!
I
can't cherry-pick which blessings are more important because they
each apply to different aspects of our lives or different people in
uncountable ways! It is RELATIONSHIP advice – how we relate to each
other in the world and how we relate to God...and recognizing the
blessings of those relationships and experiences. Jesus was telling
us about looking at things in a new way.
He
said, your life will be richer IF you see the blessings around you
every day. When you are at the end of YOUR rope, then you're blessed
because HAVE to take a step back and turn stuff over to God. I'm not
God...and I see that more clearly when I'm humbled. I get to
thinking, “I've got this. God has plenty to worry about, I'll
handle everything around here. And I start believing my own ego –
and I take on more and more, until I'm overwhelmed and unable to do
any of it to my own satisfaction. And pride...well, that keeps me
from asking for help and then I'm at the end of my rope.” You
relate? Sound familiar? And you get reminded that there is only one
God...and it's not you, and it's certainly not me.
Jesus
said that there was blessing in loss because you have to turn to the
one who loves you, who created you, who knows your heartbreak and
wants to comfort you.
Jesus
said that you are blessed when you are meek. Humble, patient...
content... This is where I had to ponder a while on Peterson's
interpretation. The Message takes the familiar “blessed are the
meek: for they shall inherit the earth” to “you are blessed when
you're content with what you are – no more, no less.” then you
find yourself with everything that can't be bought.
Maybe
I had to ponder that for an extra while because meekness is a
character trait that I equate with weakness. But I'm wrong about
that. Meekness takes an extra measure of strength. Meekness is about
knowing yourself and your gifts and being willing to use those gifts
with humility in a selfless way. And when you give up the struggling
and striving that comes with needing to be best and first and fastest
– when you become content then you get these un-buyable, intangible
blessings of peaceful mind and heart, the quiet satisfaction of
letting go.
But
lest Jesus' followers think that contentedness leads to
complacency...he follows up with this ingredient: hungering and
thirsting for righteousness. A promise that if we seek righteousness
that we will be filled...a banquet of GOD! We are encouraged to work
up a good appetite for God. He's the food and drink in the best meal
we'll ever eat! Sustenance. The food that keeps us going.
His
next ingredients urge us to be aligned with the heart of God. To love
God and love who and what God loves. Mercy and caring because we have
received mercy and care from God and will surely continue to need
that. The next verse pushes us further – be pure in heart. You'll
be blessed when you get your inside – your mind and heart – put
right. We have to let go of our agenda and look to what God's agenda
is. What is God's agenda? God wants to be in loving relationship with
each and every human being on the face of the earth. That's his
agenda. Our agenda needs to be about deepening that relationship.
Falling totally, hopelessly and unconditionally in love with God. And
sharing the good news with everyone that we encounter – that he
wants to love them too.
Blessed
are the peacemakers. That's the Beatitude I always felt aligned with.
I am a pacifist. I dislike conflict so much that I didn't even like
it when the Bradys fought on TV. I've come to understand something
though...conflict avoidance is not really the same as peace-making.
Working cooperatively is about getting along, sure...but unless we
can be honest and authentic with each other, the “peace” is
merely covering up the underlying conflict. Mediation is about both
(or all) sides being able to express their point of view...agree to
hear each other...and then you do the hard work of negotiation. And
when you learn to get through the messy process, you are blessed with
stronger and deeper relationships.
But
the last two verses in the list recognize the fact that it isn't
going to be easy. Jesus knew that he was presenting a new paradigm.
He was shifting the view of God from stern and punishing parent to a
God who loved us so much that he sent his only Son to earth. God came
down and walked among us, fully human and fully divine – to build a
new kind of relationship. And this news wasn't going to sit well with
the people who were used to the old “follow the law, pay your dues”
model. Some people were going to feel threatened. Others will just
not understand. But when you feel persecuted, reviled, put down, lied
about – you're still blessed. The world isn't always going to
appreciate you. But if you stand up for God, listen! Heaven is
applauding. You're on the right track! Don't focus on the struggle –
focus on the reward. Don't focus on the lack – focus on the
blessings.
Once
you start listing the blessings in your life, it gives the struggles
less power. It takes practice. It needs to be intentional. I was in a
deep depression a few years ago. I had lost a job that I loved, felt
hopeless, cut adrift...at the end of my rope. A friend suggested that
I list my blessings. I think that my reaction was the one that my
family refers to as “the hairy eyebrow.” I considered telling her
to list her....well, never mind my initial reaction.
I
opened a new “note” on my Blackberry (yep, this is a few years
back...) and started listing things. No format. No categories. Just
random stream-of-consciousness listing. Blessings in my life: sun on
my shoulders, sushi, my mom, my intelligence, the river, Taylor's
smile...
I set
myself a task, to add at least 5 things to the list every day. And
some days it was hard to think of 5, some days I added 20. And
learning to see my blessings was a healing experience. Because I
stopped focusing on the things that I lacked and saw what I had.
As a
congregation, we have struggles. We feel lack – and at times it
seems like that is all we can focus on. Council meetings have felt
joy-less as we discuss the shortfalls in money or volunteer needs
like Sunday school teachers or physical building challenges. I think
we need to climb the mountain and hear what Jesus is telling us about
how to deal with struggles. Find the blessings! We think we are at
the end of our rope? Then we need to lean on God! We aren't done with
our mission here on Rivermont! We've lost so many leaders, especially
to age and health. God hasn't left us! We can be comforted in the
knowledge that he is still here. And Centenary will work to bring
mercy and care and cooperation and peace to the world.
And
when we feel like we are being put down or we feel discouraged then
we know we just have to stand up for God's agenda. We'll count our
blessings and be uplifted and soldier on. We are #blessed and we need
to start acting like it. We serve a risen Savior and God is on our
side. Nothing can stop us if we are aligned with God.
Note:
these were instructions that Sunday morning for an exercise in
counting your blessings. As you came into the sanctuary today,
you received a pen and some post-it notes. We are going to take a few
short minutes for an exercise. I want you to write Centenary's
blessings on these pieces of paper. Could be a person, a program, a
feeling...no rules... We are going to start today with focusing on
our blessings instead of our struggles. Turning from the lack toward
the abundance. Steve is going to play a short song while we write and
then Lee Boyd is going to come forward for the Stewardship moment.
During
the final hymn I want you to come forward and stick our blessings all
over the altar. And then we will pray together for the mission and
ministry of our congregation. How will we impact our world? With
God's help, even the sky is not the limit.
I
don't mind telling you that it was one of the most powerful
experiences I've had in a long time. I was unsure how it would go –
and so I stepped out on faith and trusted the Lord. The song that was
played (after I listened to dozens of possible choices) was Matt
Redman's 10,000 Reasons (aka Bless the Lord, O
My Soul). I'm listening to it right now on Youtube. And our final
hymn was Let There Be Peace on Earth. My only regret is that the
final hymn I had chosen was so short! But there was a flood of
humanity sticking yellow notes all over. The stacks passed to me from
the choir took Denise until the end of the benediction response to
place. Powerful. Thank you Lord for letting me be a part of this.
#blessed
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