Are You Blessed?

In Matthew 5, Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount.  In response to a large number of people who had come out to see Him, probably hoping to see some miracle performed, Jesus went up on a hillside where He would be better heard.  Once in place, He took the posture and attitude of a Jewish teacher, but His words were unlike anything the people had ever heard before.

In the first 10 verses of the sermon, Jesus effectively challenged every idea a first century Jew would have on how he or she should live.  What He said didn’t just have an impact on the people around Him the day He delivered the message.  His words also tell us how to live, and He tells us that we are to live exactly the opposite of what the world says is the way to go.

When the world says, “You can do it on your own,” God says, “No, you can’t.  Depend on Me.”

When the world says, “Suck it up and move on,” God says, “Let me heal your hurts.”

When the world says, “You’re the only one who matters,” God says, “Put others above you and be a servant.”

When the world says, “Do what feels good,” God says, “Fill your life with things that honor Me.”

When the world says, “Win at all costs,” God says, “Love people and help them.”

When the world says,, “There is no standard,” God says, Yes, there is.  It is me.”

When the world says, “Fight for everything you want,” God says, “Find a way to make peace.”

When the world says, “They’ll make fun of you for living like God says,” God says, Yes, they will, but you have Me.”

When the world says, “We will mistreat you to the point of death for talking about Jesus,” God says, “I’ll be right beside you.”

And what do we get by doing this and following God?

Joy!

Over and over, Jesus says, “Blessed are the…”  He is not talking about material prosperity.  That is a lie from Satan that has no place in Christian thought.  He is also not talking about happiness, because happiness depends on circumstances.  For example, a bride and groom are happy on their wedding day, because circumstances dictate that to be the case.  However, in the course of a marriage, there will be times when one or both parties, for whatever reason, are not happy.  But, if they are in a good, God-honoring marriage, they will have joy, because they know their spouse still loves them and is still walking through life with them.  So it is with a Christian.  In Philippians 4:10-13, the apostle Paul said this:

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.  11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (NASB)

Paul wrote these words from a prison cell, but he REJOICED!  He felt joy, because he knew that no matter where he was or what he was doing, Jesus was filling his heart, mind, and soul with the strength to do what needed to be done.  He knew that Jesus was walking with him.

May you all feel that joy that comes from knowing that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!  May you all find that joy that comes only from Him!

Dedication and Temptation

Today’s reading was Matthew 3:1-4:11.  These passages talk about the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus’ baptism, and Jesus’ temptation by Satan.  These events preceded the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and were necessary for Him to be able to begin proclaiming the Gospel message.  

I am struck by John’s dedication to his calling and the message he was given.  John was the fulfillment of old testament prophecy of  “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3).  His parents were told that he would be the one to announce the coming of the Messiah.  John lived a life that was dedicated to the simple declaration the Messiah was coming!  He included in his message a call for repentance, for the people to turn away from sin and turn to God.  He was not afraid of delivering this message to anyone.  He even called out the religious leaders of the day, blasting the hypocrisy of their message compared to their lifestyle as destructive to the people of Israel.  However strong his message and however large his following, John knew who he was and what he was about, for he immediately yielded to Jesus when the Christ appeared before him.

Jesus Himself was obedient to God the Father by going to John for baptism.  His was not a baptism of repentance.  He had committed no sin, and so needed no such action.  However, it was a baptism of identification, to let the world know that He was the long-awaited Messiah come to the people.

Finally, in Christ’s temptation, Jesus gave us the ultimate guide on how to handle temptation.  He fought Satan’s attacks with one weapon - the Word of God.  Each time Satan hit Him with a challenge, physical gratification, earthly treasures, or selfish action, Jesus quoted scripture that countered what Satan was trying to do.  He came out of the encounter with His body, His spirit, his integrity, and His perfection intact.  He walked with God through the trials by the very Word that He wrote and lived!  

Take the time each day to get into God’s written word so that you can know the Living Word, Jesus Christ!  It will change your life!

Searching for Jesus

An observation from from my bible reading today:

I read Matthew 2:1-12.  This passage details the visit of the magi to the young child Jesus.  Perhaps as much as a year and a half had passed since His birth, and these men had traveled from a country far to the east to see the child who was born king of the Jews.  What a trip for pagan men to undertake to worship a child that would have no direct authority over them, at least not as an earthly king.

Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

These pagan men, who had dedicated their lives to watching the stars, had seen evidence of the Creator in the created.  They had acknowledged God, heeded His call, and, following His leading, searched and found Jesus!  

Now, I don't know if I will ever see these men in heaven.  I hope I do, because I would like to ask them questions about how they heard God call, and what it was like that day in Bethlehem when they worshiped Christ and gave Him their gifts.  But  I do know this - these men knew that they needed to find Jesus!  What a great realization to come to!  If you have never met Jesus, I pray that you would see God's irrefutable evidence that He  exists, and heed the call to come meet Jesus!