Psalms (70), 71 * 74; 1 Kings 22:29-45; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15; Matthew 3:1-10We are beginning with the Beatitudes this morning, as provided to us by Matthew. Look at what Jesus equates:
Poor in spirit --- receive the kingdom of heaven
Mourners ------- receive comfort
Meek ------------ inherit the earth
Righteously thirsty and hungry -- filled
Merciful --------- receive mercy
Pure in heart --- will see God
Peacemakers --- called children of God
Persecuted for righteousness ---- the kingdom of heaven
Jesus is pointing us to a way of being, a way of interacting with the world, a way of acting toward each other. Jesus is saying, without equivocation that God's love for us never leaves us, that we are never alone, whether things are going "well" or whether things have turned to crap. The kingdom of heaven is ours if we can find a way to alter how we see the world, how we interact in the world, how we act toward each other. Not so hard? Ha! Many days, seemingly impossible. But in reality, what we are called to is a reordering of how we think about things, how we see the world. From this list it is obvious everything will not be wine and roses (that is if you like wine and roses), but through the good times and the not so good, the comfort and gifts God promises to us are ours for the taking. This kingdom is ours.
jfd+
Copyright 2009, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.
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