Matthew 5:4-12

Matthew 5:4-12 (The Message)

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Over the past few weeks I've been thinking on, a bit at a time, these words of Jesus. I want to sum it up by looking at them all together.

The first thing that really hits home in my heart is that these words, this time I've spent thinking on them, pondering, considering parallel scriptures and what great classic commentators have to say, should have made more of a change in my heart and life. Instead, what I find is that I've become even more acutely aware of how short I fall. My heart especially aches when I see how tightly I hold onto my life; looking for what pleases me, being disgruntled when things don't go my way. When I know that I'm not in the least content with who I am. And to think that I could teach others how to cooperate instead of compete or fight when I can't even seem to sustain a peaceful relationship with my own husband lately?!

I'm reminded of some words written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his essays on Ethics, he talks of sometimes life is so difficult and confusing that all we can do is our best and then "throw ourselves on the mercy of Christ". This is where I arrive - at my need for His mercy and grace. An intense awareness that I am nothing without it.

Oh Jesus, I am so without worth. I thank you for your grace and mercy. I thank you that you died for someone like me. I thank you that you are all that is good and of value in this world. Oh Father, transform my life. May your spirit work within me to help me see, each day and every step along the way, how I should act. Enlighten me to see my flesh and when I'm following it. Empower me to those actions that are of You. Thank you Father. Thank you so much!