Living the Beatitudes

Their jaws dropped. Never had the Jews heard teaching like that of Jesus. It was not just the content of His teaching, but the way He spoke. The gospel writers tell us that Jesus spoke with authority, not like the scribes (Jewish teachers).

The beatitudes found in Matthew 5 differ from those found in Luke 6. That suggests that Jesus used beatitudes in His teaching on multiple occasions. The Greek word for beatitude was originally used in reference to the Greek gods. It described a state of other-worldly bliss, having a carefree and joyful existence free from work, hardship and anxiety. Later on beatitudes were used to describe great men after their death, still later, in reference to those whose existence in this life was, in one way or another, like the life of the gods.

So, a beatitude might be applied to the wealthy: Blissful are the wealthy for they are free from life’s troubles. Not all beatitudes had an extended explanation like those of Jesus: Blissful are parents who have good children. Beatitudes were spoken in praise of a person because of something truly wonderful in his/her life.

Jesus flipped the beatitudes upside down and that absolutely stunned His listeners. Of course, it was with good reason. His beatitudes were true, unlike the beatitudes of His day.

Until Jesus, beatitudes generally came from a purely human point of view. Even the earliest beatitudes were based on a human perception of the Greek gods. By extension people believed that human life would be full of bliss if only…

• If only, I had great wealth;
• If only, I had a position of power;
• If only, I was full of wisdom;
• If only, I had the perfect wife;
• If only, I had many children;
• If only, I had a superior education;
• If only, I had fame;
• If only, I possessed something great;

If only….

Jesus’ beatitudes exalt the poor, those who mourn for the lost, the gentle, those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness. His beatitudes left His listeners stunned and speechless.

Jesus was not being sarcastic: “Blissful are the merciful. Duh! Everybody knows it is blissful are those who show no mercy, but demand justice.” Jesus was not being humorous: “Blissful are the peacemakers. Ha, ha! Pax Romana!”

The beatitudes of Jesus expose reality. All of the beatitudes that exalt greatness, wealth, power, luxuriant living, etc. expose human desire. The most ancient beatitudes expressed what men believed about their gods. Jesus expressed what was true of God. Read the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and Luke 6. Which one does not describe Jesus?

The beatitudes crush human valuations by promoting the values and character of God. The beatitudes remind us that our world is broken and this life is not true life. The beatitudes are about hope, our expectation of eternal life.

The beatitudes of Jesus conflict with the values of man. They sound humiliating, almost shameful. Yet, the beatitudes are about Jesus...

The author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

—Hebrews 12:2

Joy is set before us if we will despise the presumed shame of the beatitudes.

Mark Stinnett

February 20, 2022

Because of Me

Jesus said, "Come, follow me."

Have you ever known anyone who took personal responsibility for their ball team’s loss because they forgot to wear their lucky cap or they washed their team jersey? They bemoan their teams loss, “because of me.”

Focus on that phrase, because of me. It suggests cause and effect. My example might seem silly, but, we know that there are many outcomes in life that are because of me. Good or bad, those outcomes are the direct result of something we did or a choice we made.

With that in mind, I want to think about something Jesus said:

Blissful are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

—Matthew 5:11

It is easy to read this and think that any persecution I encounter is because of my choice in following Jesus. There is truth in that thought, but that is not what Jesus said. He said, “...because of Me.”

We have no trouble understanding the phrase in the natural course of life. For example, as a teen, did you ever go along with a friend’s idea only to get into trouble? If your friend was a true friend they might have apologized saying, “I know that you chose to go along with me on this, but it was my idea. It’s all my fault. We got into trouble because of me.”

Now, let’s look at Jesus’ beatitude in a similar way...just to focus on the meaning of the phrase, because of Me. Jesus was telling His followers that as a direct result of following Him they could/would suffer hardship. But he made it clear that the suffering was not simply because of the choice His followers made; it was directly connected to Him, because of Him.

Some people refuse to believe in Jesus. Others embrace Jesus, but only partially. They like love and service, however, holiness and righteousness are not attractive. Those who reject Jesus or reject His teachings often also reject those who truly believe in Jesus.

So, what did Jesus do or say or demand that would cause people to persecute His followers?

Unless you believe that I am He [the Son of God], you will die in your sins. 

—John 8:24

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 

—John 14:6

Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

—Matthew 5:20

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

—Matthew 7:21

If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 

—Luke14:26

If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. 

 —Matthew 6:15

We might experience verbal abuse or far worse for our faith in Jesus. Ironically, when we suffer because of Jesus, we find bliss.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

—Matthew 5:12

Mark Stinnett

February 20, 2022

Do You Have Spiritual Grit?

Have you ever been persecuted?

You might answer tentatively, “Maybe, but nothing like Jesus or Paul.”

Near the end of the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews is a brief list of various ways that early Christians suffered for their faith. History has added to that record. Then, in their book Jesus Freaks, authors Toby McKeehan and Mark Heimermann recorded story after story of individuals who suffered imprisonment, harsh persecution and even death for their faith in Jesus. The shocking thing is that their stories come from around the world in the 20th century. Persecution continues today.

At the heart of the New Testament word persecution is the idea of driving, pushing or setting in motion. Persecution is not just a harsh act against a believer, but the malevolent pursuit of that person because of his/her faith.

When Jesus healed a lame man on the Sabbath, it created quite a stir. The Bible says:

For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus…. 

Therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him…. 

—John 5:16, 18

It was not the case that the Jews simply disagreed with Jesus. They did not merely judge against His actions on that occasion. They were in pursuit of Jesus, desiring to kill Him.

Perhaps you remember the persecutor Saul of Tarsus (later known as the Apostle Paul):

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

—Acts 9:1-2

Later, Paul had to endure persecution while preaching. He encountered Jews who followed him from city to city stirring up the people against him. He was beaten, imprisoned, and once, left for dead after being stoned.

It is my guess that most of us have not had to endure harsh persecution for our faith. Even so, persecution is not always extreme as it was with Jesus and Paul.

In our seemingly peaceful nation with free speech and religious freedom we are seeing increasing opposition to biblical Christianity. The Bible speaks of one God, one Lord, and one faith. Today’s tolerance movement simply will not tolerate anything absolute. Times are changing and you and I need to be ready. You need to decide NOW how you will stand in your faith, even in the face of persecution.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 

—2 Corinthians 4:8-9

And we labor, working with our own hands; when we are verbally abused, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we reply as friends.... 

—1 Corinthians 4:12-13

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

—2 Timothy 3:12

Read Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. Make note of the one who was persecuted. We must have the spiritual grit to endure. After all, we have a promise...

Blissful are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

—Matthew 5:10

Mark Stinnett

February 13, 2022

How Do You Make Peace?

The 'Colt Peacemaker'

The 1872 Colt revolver was the standard pistol for the US Army and popular among lawmen. It was nicknamed the “Colt Peacemaker.”

However, that was not the first time strength was used to keep peace. You might remember Pax Romana (Roman Peace), first instituted by Caesar Augustus. The phrase was descriptive of the peace-keeping presence of the Roman military throughout the Empire.

Today’s social media is buzzing about a new film series based on a DC Comics superhero called Peacemaker. He is passionate about peace saying, “I made a vow to have peace, no matter how many people I have to kill to get it.” Translation: Vigilante justice.

Do you see the common thread? Whether it is the Colt Peacemaker, Pax Romana or the Peacemaker comic book character, the assumption is that peace can be achieved by force.

You might categorize my examples as: history, ancient history, and fantasy. So, what about us, reality, today???

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 

—Hebrews 12:14

God expects us to pursue peace, but there is no guarantee of peace. Jesus knew that:

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. 

—John 16:33

Even the common Christmas peace wish is rarely quoted fully. It holds a restriction:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. 

—Luke 2:14 (italics added)

God did not promise peace on earth among men. Jesus said:

Do you suppose I came to grant peace on the earth? I tell you, no but rather division. 

—Luke 12:51

Jesus recognized that the gospel would be rejected by many. As a result, there would be division within families. Friendships would end and opposing sides would be taken. Looking back to the verse from Hebrews (above), God desires His people to pursue sanctification, that is, a life set apart and devoted to the Lord. However, many people do not wish to lead a life that is sanctified. Many strongly resist it, resulting in division.

The Messiah was promised, not to bring peace between men, but between God and man.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

—Colossians 1:19-20 (italics added)

In the Old Testament, God’s anger burned against Israel when they made and worshipped a golden calf at Mount Sinai. The Scripture says:

Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him to turn His wrath from destroying them. 

—Psalm 106:23

Moses was a peacemaker. He made peace with God, not by a threat of force, but by confession of sins and by humbly pleading for mercy. Jesus made peace by offering himself as a sacrifice.

Blissful are the peacemakers, 

for they shall be called sons of God.

—Matthew 5:9

Peacemakers will be called sons of God because they are...

     just like Jesus, 

                 the Son of God, 

                                 the Prince of Peace.

Mark Stinnett

February 6, 2022