Issue 10, Jul 2008
In the previous two issues of this ezine, we began an examination of the Eight Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-10. Specifically, we looked at the meaning of “blessed”, “poor in spirit”, “those who mourn”, “the meek”, and “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”. (Matthew 5:3-6)
In the Fifth Beatitude (Matthew 5:7), Jesus offers this blessing: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (NIV) Unfortunately, many people today understand this Beatitude as a command of law demanding an action to be chosen by a believer on a case by case basis. However, the original Greek word is really an adjective so that could be translated as “the merciful ones." So the ones blessed are they who are merciful in the very essence of their being, not just in their actions, whether those actions be thoughts, words or deeds.
The First Beatitude should be considered alongside this one. In the First Beatitude, the “blessed” are “the poor in spirit”. As we saw, the “poor in spirit” are they who daily empty themselves in contrition and repentance, dying to self and living only in Christ through Baptism. They are filled with Christ Jesus. In that they are now defined as ones alive only in Christ, their lives are Christ at work within them.
In essence only Christ Himself is truly merciful. However, in that He is the One working in us in the Gospel, recreating us new by Word and sacraments, He is the One Source of that merciful essence within us. It is He who equips and empowers us to manifest that mercy in our lives. We are free to be dead to self and alive to serve others.
Withholding mercy from another, or in any way avoiding being a merciful one in any particular circumstance of life, is, in reality, turning away from the Gospel and Christ Jesus Himself. It is not simply choosing to avoid an opportunity for an action of mercy. It is to deny the very presence of Christ Jesus in you.
In the Sixth Beatitude, our Lord Jesus Christ blesses the pure in heart, promising that they will see they God (Matthew 5:8).Once again, in that this is Gospel, we must first seek the Person and work of Jesus in this passage. He is the Son of God and the Son of Man. He is the only One truly pure in heart, in His entire humanity. In fact, Jesus is the very definition of purity. If Jesus Christ is the only One who is truly pure, then the question arises as to how are we included in this Gospel passage?By His Word and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the Triune God not only imparts saving faith into us, but He preserves us in Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord. Through that saving faith worked and preserved by God, the purity of our Lord Jesus Christ is ours solely on account of the Person and work of Christ.
Now lay this Sixth Beatitude next to the Second Beatitude that speaks of “those who mourn." Behold the reality of sinners living in a sinful world, deserving only wrath, yet saved through faith alone. By that faith we receive the very righteousness, holiness and purity of Jesus. And all this is by God’s unmerited grace.
Defined by Christ's free gift of forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life, we confidently endure everything in this life, moving forward in faith with hearts and minds focused ever on Him.Grace alone. Faith alone. Christ alone. Scripture alone. To God be the glory!-----------------------------------------------------------------------