JP23: WHAT MATTERS TO JESUS: SOME SANITY FOR OUR CRAZY

A few years back, our family frequently visited the beautiful Mount Rainier National Park, where fast-moving, glacial rivers wore rocks smooth over thousands of years and, at times, removed entire campgrounds in minutes.  Similarly, it seems that we are learning how powerful cultural and institutional forces shape us over time.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting countermeasures adjusted how we socialize, gather in public, attend school, connect with family and receive routine medical treatment to name just a few.  As cultural structures strain under pressure, our collective character is starting to erode.  

As we consider resilient ways of collecting our thoughts and arranging our routines to roll with uncertainty, now is a good time to learn a timeless teaching from Jesus:

Lives shaped by Christ are consistently fruitful and hopeful regardless of the constant, damaging influences of a raging culture.

Let’s explore the Jesus way to stronger character as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel:

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus is Aware and He Cares

Please know that if you are dealing with powerful stresses, relational difficulties, anxiety, and fear that Jesus is aware, and he cares.  I can say this with confidence because of how Jesus related to his disciples in such a caring way.  He focused on loving and equipping them, leaving the crowd of adoring fans in the valley for the hills around Capernaum, to share a private teaching on life in his kingdom.

As his disciples, Jesus gives us direct attention when we pray and seek him first.  When we take the time to sit at Jesus’ feet, he gives us a helpful picture of spiritual qualities that mark the life of a disciple; resilient, eternal qualities that emerge in and through us by the grace Jesus provides.

Jesus Works Powerfully Through a Righteous Response

Jesus speaks highly of those who are poor in spirit due to their station in this world, those who mourn in their poverty due to their allegiance to Christ, and those who are meek - people who trust the power of God to work through a righteous response instead of the controlling power of position.  These character qualities of a true disciple stand in radical contrast to what finds applause in our culture.  

Jesus is teaching that a disciple constantly assumes a posture of humility and second placeness.  We run a race in this life in which how we run truly is the measure of greatness in God’s eyes.  We must live with a new scorecard, one that decides how we finish the race in terms of our character instead of material blessings, degrees, position, or any outward measure we might exchange for security in Christ.  True greatness is found in the hidden part of a yielded mind, body, and soul.

Obeying Jesus Truly Satisfies

We grow as yielded people when we "hunger and thirst for righteousness."  In the same way that an Olympic athlete has a singular focus on training to win a gold medal, the disciple of Jesus trains for the purpose of godliness and disciple making.  We simply live to obey Jesus and in that, we will be truly satisfied.  

Christ-followers are known for being merciful because they are aware of the mercy that is ours in Christ. Jesus says that disciples who are pure in heart, or of single-minded devotion, will see God.  What does it mean that we will see God?  Jesus is saying that people whose only goal is consecrated devotion to Jesus will routinely observe unmistakable evidence of God's presence in everyday life.

Live As Peacemakers in a Divided World

It's the kind of presence that inspires us to live as peacemakers in a world that is increasingly divided.  Peacemakers move into strife-ridden conflict with the assurance of God's power and presence to bring about harmony.  Peacemakers are more concerned with God's kingdom coming to earth in the form of meekness than establishing their own control positions and platforms.

Jesus concludes by explaining that his disciples will be persecuted and for that, they will inherit his kingdom.  As we follow Christ, we will stand out from the crowd, making us targets for accusations of narrow-mindedness, lacking tolerance, and hate.

As we receive ridicule for the sake of Christ, we can be glad as we store up heavenly treasure and join a long line of persecuted saints that went before us.  Remember, we're living in eternity now. Peacemakers are reminded that the power of the gospel unifies every nation, tribe, and tongue into one family under the loving banner of Jesus, our King.

Let us live like citizens of heaven here on earth by pursuing the spiritual qualities and character of Christ.  By God’s grace, you can trust that God's kingdom and rewards will be yours for all of eternity and that really matters to Jesus!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, you are my joy and hope.  Teach me Lord to find my satisfaction in your ways when I become self-righteous and arrogant. Make me, in my inner character, into someone who lived and loved as you did.  Create in me a heart that is okay with not having the last word so that I can be most useful in helping people who think differently than me to find their way to you.  Help me to set my mind on your kingdom and your righteousness instead of my kingdom.  Thank you, Jesus, for being my leader and for teaching me everything that I need to know. Amen.

What Matters To Jesus: Thoughts To Keep Us On Track as Christ Followers

1. Jesus is Aware and He Cares.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

2. Jesus Works Powerfully Through a Righteous Response.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:7-10

3. Obeying Jesus Truly Satisfies.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

4. Live as Peacemakers in a Divided World.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18