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

Preparing to See God's Face

We place a high value on seeing.

I am not thinking about sight itself, but being in the presence of someone or something. It is one thing to see high quality photos of the Grand Canyon or to see it on the big screen. It is quite another thing to see the Grand Canyon in person, to actually see it with your own eyes.

I once saw President Regan. (Well, actually I saw his motorcade as it passed through town. With tinted windows, no one really knew which car was his.) But I did see President George W. Bush in person! I was in the presence of the President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world.

We like to tell family and friends and new acquaintances about our sightings. For many of us our special sightings give us a sense of pride, perhaps even, a sense of identity.

There were no more than a hundred people in attendance when I saw President Bush. He came to our school district to announce the enactment of a new education bill. Only those with tickets were allowed a seat at this event.

I had only recently been hired by the school district to oversee the district’s student data system. Because of my job I was housed in the district’s central office. Along with the school board, those of us in central office were given a ticket, so also a number of city dignitaries and a few others.

We were all told how to dress, what to bring, what to leave behind, when to arrive, and where to sit. For security reasons we didn’t drive; we were transported. The press conference was held in a high school gymnasium, but it was all very formal. I felt very important. (In reality, I was just lucky enough to have an office in the right building in the district).

I guess you might say that that’s my claim to fame. The President never looked straight at me, but only in my direction as he scanned the crowd. Still, I saw the President, in person.

___________

When Moses approached the burning bush, God told him to remove his sandals because he was he was standing on holy ground. Even then, it was an angel of the Lord that appeared to him in the burning bush. (Exodus 3:1-5)

When the Israelites were camped at Mt. Sinai, God told Moses that He wanted to speak to the people. However, they had to be consecrated. That means that they had to be set apart to God before this meeting could take place. They were to wash their clothes before approaching the mountain where God would come down to speak to them. A boundary was set and a warning was issued: Neither the people nor their animals should cross the boundary when the Lord came near. Anyone crossing the boundary would die. The reason? God is holy. (See Exodus 19.)

The Psalmist once asked who could stand in the holy place of God, that is, in the presence of God. The answer:

The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully. 

—Psalm 24:4

Jesus brought this psalm forward in a beatitude:

Blissful are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

—Matthew 5:8

In our day, those who are pure in heart and who avoid falsehood are rare.

Do you long to see God’s face?

Do you understand how to prepare your heart and your lips?

Mark Stinnett

January 30, 2022

Mercy Triumphs over Judgment

The driver didn’t even slow down. He ran a stop sign and turned into my lane just ahead of me. 

Can you believe that!? 

Where were the police!?

Driving home from a Christmas gathering with friends, I let our car coast down a long hill as we approached an intersection. In my rear-view mirror flashing lights appeared; I had coasted too fast. I hoped the officer would only give me a warning, not a speeding ticket.

I think my examples are typical. We most often want justice when we know that someone else has broken the law. But, for ourselves, we want to be an exception to justice. We want mercy.

Justice means that everyone gets what they deserve. The punishment fits the crime. Appropriate consequences follow sin. Wrongdoing is not swept under the rug (ignored). Related words are: fairness, equity and vengeance.

Mercy means that you do not get what you deserve. You do not have to pay the price for a mistake. For example, the owner of the tool you borrowed and broke bears the expense for repairing or replacing it. It means that you do not have to endure the consequences for doing something wrong. For example, you get a warning instead of a traffic ticket. Related words are pardon and forgiveness.

In ancient times, God was infuriated when His people played favorites, when His people oppressed the poor and denied justice to some. Solomon commented on this problem:

If you see the oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. 

—Ecclesiastes 5:8

Officials play favorites and watch out for each other as if to think, I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. Exercising the power of their position they ignore justice...because they can. Solomon simply informed us that, though justice should be expected, we should not be surprised when injustice occurs.

Even so, we should give careful attention to the words of James. Warning against showing partiality, he wrote:

Judgment will be merciless to the one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. 

—James 2:13

God is just. 

God is merciful.

How can justice and mercy exit in harmony in the character of God?

God is the very definition of justice. Sin cannot be ignored, there must be payment. Sin demands death. God has never let anyone escape the penalty for sin.

However, God is also the definition of mercy. He has provided the payment for sin. He provided the sacrificial lamb that would pay the sin debt for every sinner. With the sin debt paid, no sinner has to pay for his own sin. That is mercy.

At the death of Jesus on the cross, justice was served; payment was made for sin. At the same moment, mercy triumphed over judgment.

Do you know why God instructed: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay”? Humans are just like the governing officials of Solomon’s day. We parcel out justice and mercy according to our whims.

So, what does God expect of us, we who have been shown mercy? 

Jesus taught His disciples:

Blissful are the merciful,

for they shall receive mercy.

--Matthew 5:7

Mark Stinnett

January 23, 2022

The Desire for Satisfaction

Have you ever walked out of a restaurant and smelled the savory offerings of a neighboring restaurant, only to think, “Ahh! that smells so good, I’d like to eat that”? Then, of course, you immediately recognize, “But, I just ate.”

That might be a key idea to marketing any product: Appeal to people’s senses so that they want what you have to offer whether they need it or not. It is the idea of creating the sense of a need and then proposing to offer a way to satisfy that perceived need.

When is the last time you saw a magazine ad, billboard or television commercial for fasting!?

Self-restraint just does not seem to be something that will bring happiness. Rather, happiness is to be found by engaging in all things fun and exciting and pleasurable and filling.

As kids my sister and I would ask mom if we could sprinkle salt into the palm of one hand and lick it up. Satisfying…. We had to ask permission because of what dad always said, “Too much of anything is bad for you.” Salt was his ’go-to’ example. “Our bodies need salt, but too much salt can harm your body.”

Yet, we craved salt as well as fruit flavored sugar balls (lemon drops and other sweets). We had little self-restraint. That was mom’s job.

As adults we all realize that it is no longer our moms’ job to force self-restraint on us. Yet, for the most part, our society is no friend to self-restraint.

Tolerance: Everyone, including yourself, should be able do as he/she pleases. For many people today, the greatest injustice is in keeping someone from doing what they want to do or telling them to do something they prefer not to do.

From sex to drugs and alcohol to entertainment, “Don’t tell me I can't have what I want.”

From vaccinations to taxes, “Don’t tell me what I have to do.”

Our society has created for itself an atmosphere of satisfaction that practically abhors restraint. We cannot seem to grasp the contradiction that so many of us live out in our day:

We eat to our satisfaction with the selection, quantity, quality we want, but destroy our health and find it difficult to function. We are not satisfied.

We buy, buy, buy; then, rent storage and buy more. We take out loans and work more. All of our stuff consumes our time and our thoughts. The momentary satisfaction fades long before we (or our kids) sell our stuff at huge discounts at an estate sale. We are not satisfied.

Our society is full of people who follow their fleshly desires for intimacy. (Wait! Let’s call it what it is...sexual pleasure.) Yet, our society is full of people lacking meaningful relationships. The momentary pleasure does not satisfy.

Money itself does not satisfy.

Self-control...

• It is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5;23). 
• It is a mark of spiritual maturity (1 Peter 1:6). 
• It is a matter of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7).

Would you like satisfaction that is not fleeting? Would you like to be truly filled in a way that has lasting results? It will require self-restraint regarding the dazzling promises of happiness in this life. It will require a different perception of what is good. It will require that you ignore your fleshly impulses; that you ignore the gluttonous marketing of our day. You must value true life.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

—Matthew 5:6

Mark Stinnett

January 16, 2022

Oaks of Righteousness

How do you see things in our society? I am thinking about some of the moral changes that have taken place over the past few decades.

I would like for you to look at our society, perhaps, our world, through a special lens. I would like for you to make an evaluation. The lens I wish to use involves a prophecy.

The prophet Isaiah was sent to the people of God with a message, a warning. (Chapter 58)

Isaiah described the activities of God’s people:

• They sought after God, to know His ways;
• They acted righteous;
• They called on God for justice;
• They were delighted in God’s nearness;
• They fasted and humbled themselves.

Yet, God did not respond. And why?

The people were guilty of strife and wickedness. They oppressed their fellow man and did not share with the homeless and poor.

Then Isaiah revealed:

Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,

And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

--Isaiah 59:2

Among other sins was the lack of justice, and no one was astonished that no one interceded for the oppressed. (59:15-16) Then came the voice of judgment:

“According to their deeds, so He [God] will repay.” (59:18)

Then came God’s message of hope for Israel, if they would turn from their sin. (Ch. 60) However, it is what God said next that has captured my attention and caused me to reflect on our society today. Isaiah then turned the focus to the oppressed, but not all who were oppressed.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives

And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn…. 

--Isaiah 61:1-2

Later these who were oppressed were referred to as oaks of righteousness, as ones planted in order to glorify God. These were God’s people; the ones who remained righteous in spite of the evil in their land. They were ones who were affected by the sin and wickedness. They were astonished because the ways of God had been abandoned. They witnessed the changes in their society as it degraded due to sin. They understood the necessity of God’s judgment against His people. For these things they mourned.

Yet, they would be comforted because God would make an everlasting covenant with them. Isaiah’s prophecy was looking forward to the new covenant that would be established by the Messiah. God’s promise would bring comfort.

I know that America is not God’s chosen nation as was Israel. Yet, I wonder how the degrading conditions of our society affect you? In recent years we have seen behaviors that God considers sinful to be legalized, promoted as normal, and even presented as good. How does all that affect you? Do you think God will not judge our nation? Do you pray for our nation?

Will you remain faithful? Do you hate sin? Are you deeply affected by the condition of our society? Jesus assured...

Blessed are those who mourn, 

     for they shall be comforted.

Mark Stinnett

December 26, 2021

Wealth Can Buy 'Almost' Anything

Upper elementary school. The late 1960’s. Howard Hughes.

My school buddies and I enjoyed bringing up the name Howard Hughes. We might have known that he set multiple world air speed records or that he built the ‘Hughes H-1 Racer.’ And who wouldn’t want to talk about the Spruce Goose, the nickname given to the famous wooden aircraft built by Hughes? But his name was most often mentioned in reference to his status as a millionaire.

We talked about Howard Hughes as if we were well-informed. It gave us a sense of pride to throw out a fact about this famous film producer, pilot, engineer, businessman. He was a millionaire and the average annual U.S. household income in the 1960’s was under ten thousand dollars.

If you work out the math, my dad would have had to save all his money for more than 100 years just to make his first million. Of course, Howard Hughes had many millions. In fact, he died a billionaire; but in 1968, that was not a part of our vocabulary.

Wealth is alluring and intoxicating. I think most people believe that life would be better if they just had a little more money. Even Solomon seems to agree:

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

—Ecclesiastes 10:19

Remember, however, that in the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon was looking only at the created universe and asking the question, “Where can I find meaning?” So, looking only at this life, his comment about money is not surprising.

However, Solomon also wrote a number of warnings against hoarding money and against placing one’s trust in money. Here are a few insightful proverbs about wealth:

It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.

--Proverbs 10:22

He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

--Proverbs 11:28

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.

--Proverbs 22:1–2

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

--Proverbs 23:4–5

Do you remember how Jesus spoke about wealth? When observing the gifts that people were bringing to the temple treasury, He took notice of a poor widow. He commended her gift over the gifts of the wealthy because she had given from that which she needed. The wealthy had given, but only from their excess.

Even more startling was His beatitude. Do you remember it? Do you grasp the failure of wealth? The poor of this life who are disciples of Jesus live in true bliss now because they are citizens of the kingdom of God. Money may be the answer to everything in this life, but money simply cannot buy life eternal!

Blissful are you who are poor, 

for yours is the kingdom of God. 

—Luke 6:20

Mark Stinnett

December 19, 2021