LIVE Later: BlessED 2

LIVE (much) Later would be a better title for this post.  I'm determined to keep myself accountable with blogging, so better late than never!

Last week, Matt started his series on the Beatitudes with a discussion on what it is to be "poor in spirit" and why those who are poor in spirit are blessed.  To be impoverished is to be dependent on others for many basic needs; as followers of Jesus, we need to be aware of our spiritual poverty so that we look to the Provider, Sustainer, Healer, and King- Jesus.

This week, we looked at Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

To be honest, I've never given this verse a second thought.  The idea of being "meek" does not appeal to me, nor would I use it to describe myself.  In fact, outside of this Scripture, I wouldn't normally consider the word "meek" to be a complimentary adjective.  I'm so glad my husband taught on this verse!

Webster's Dictionary defines meek as "having or showing a quiet or gentle nature; not wanting to fight or argue with people; enduring injury with patience without resentment; deficient in spirit and courage; not violent or strong."  .... deficient in spirit and courage?  That does not sound like the type of person that Jesus would bless or let "inherit the earth."

The Greek word used in this verse is "Praus."  This word, "praus", was also used in describing 3 things:

soothing medicine

gentle breeze

broken colt

What do these 3 things have in common?

All 3 are powerful, potentially deadly things that are under control.  So, the picture that Jesus is painting with His use of the word "praus" (that we have translated to "meek") is something strong that is under control.  Let's work with a new definition of meek and disregard Webster.

Meekness:  strength under control

Matt gave some examples of Biblical men that exemplified meekness.  Abraham (who preferred his nephew, Lot, even though he had every right to display his power and authority in choosing what land to inhabit), Moses (who stood before Pharoah and led 2,000,000 people around for 40 years), and, of course, Jesus.
Jesus.  The man who broke down the gates of Hell, raised the dead to life, stood up to the forces of nature- this Man let men crucify Him. Spit on Him.  Mock Him.  The ultimate display of strength under control.  For the sake of love and restoration, He preferred mankind over himself.

These men did not consider their personal preference worth fighting for- they only considered God's plan and purpose worthy of fighting and sometimes dying for.. meekness.

In my personal preference, I am to walk in meekness.  Prefer others.  Choose what hills to die on and what hills to surrender.  In His plan, walk in strength and power and boldness.

The Bible promises that the meek will inherit the earth.

Matt used a lot of basketball analogies in this series (which was a little over my head at times LOL)..But, one thing he said struck a chord with me.  In all sports, a fair amount of trash-talking and arguing happens (between players, fans, coaches, refs...).  My husband talked about his own strategy when playing pick-up basketball:  meekness.  He tries to always defer to the other player.  Instead of taking the bait when fouls are called, he lets the other team have it "their way."  Although it isn't easy to swallow his pride, especially in a competitive atmosphere, he knows it isn't worth a fight.  And what happens when he wins?  The victory is so much sweeter after the other team has had their way for the whole game.  I think this is a little glimpse of how it will feel to those who inherit the earth.
Like a great, cosmic pickup game- Jesus will hand  the earth over to those who have walked in meekness, even when they felt they had the "right" to defend themselves.  Won't that be the sweetest victory ever?

The result of meekness is greater than the responsibility.  The blessing is better than the burden.
That's how it works in the Kingdom.
You won't always see the fruit of your sacrifice right away, but rest on His promise that there is MUCH to be inherited.

I'm loving this series because these are Jesus' words on how to live a life of blessing and purpose.  What better way is there to start off a new year??

God, help us to recognize those moments that call for meekness and humility.  Give us eyes to see our own pride and the strength to operate out of a teachable spirit.  I want to trust that YOU are my Defender.  Thank you for Your Holy Spirit that enables us to walk in meekness, despite how unnatural that can feel.  Amen.

LIVE Student Ministries meets at 6:30pm on Sunday nights at Church Alive.  Follow us on Twitter: @LIVEfvnc and on Instagram: LIVEfvnc

LIVE Later: BlessED 1

This week my husband preached on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5, otherwise known as the Sermon on the Mount.  For the next 2 weeks we'll continue studying some different ideas found in Jesus' sermon that have to do with what blessing is, what it isn't, what brings it, and what repels it.

Our first focus is in verse 3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."
What is it to be truly poor?  Impoverished. True poverty is a lack or shortage of necessary things (money, food, shelter).  Those who find themselves in this situation must rely on the help of others.  That help might come in the form of government aid, the church, family, food banks, etc.  In an age of "first world probs" many of us have never experienced true poverty.  This verse is easily misunderstood or even overlooked.
 Jesus is saying that to inherit the kingdom of Heaven you must recognize the impoverished state of your soul and be dependent on and desperate for the help of the Holy Spirit.

In Luke7:36-50 Jesus is eating with some Pharisees when a woman (we can only assume she had been a prostitute) came in and began weeping, anointing Jesus' feet.  At this, the Pharisee questioned Jesus for allowing the woman to touch him.  Uhoh.
What does Jesus do?  He tells a parable.  We all know it:  2 men owe money- 1 man owes a substantial amount more than the other.. both debts are forgiven.  This is a huge deal if you pay attention to context:  in Jesus' time, you were imprisoned until you were able to repay the debt.  Problem: how could you earn money to repay the debt if you were imprisoned?  Exactly.  Life-sentence.
So, both men have had their debts forgiven, thereby avoiding life in prison.
Jesus asks, "Which of them will love the moneylender more?"
Simon responds, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
Jesus then brings it all home, in case the Pharisees missed it: He points out that she washed his feet with her tears and anointed him with priceless perfume while the Pharisee didn't even greet Him with a kiss (a big deal at this time in history).
She loved Jesus more because she was aware of the debt that had been forgiven.  The Pharisees had yet to see that they had a debt that needed to be forgiven.

Your sin, no matter how little or how much, gets you the same punishment as every other sinner.

To be poor in spirit, like the woman in Luke 7, is to remain aware of the debt you once owed that has been forgiven.  To be poor in spirit is to be aware of how much we desperately need God.
Paul called himself the "chiefest of sinners."  He was poor in spirit which meant he was fully empowered by God's blessing.

The Pharisees walked in spiritual pride, unaware of their wretchedness and unable to accept the free gift of forgiveness.  If you are spiritually prideful you cannot experience God's grace and blessing.
In order to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ you have to know you need a Savior!

God, help us to remain poor in spirit.  Thank you for loving us freely and without limit!  Thank you for your work on the cross that allows us to experience debt-free forgiveness.  Thank you for your blessing.  Tuck this Word into my heart so that I never forget the revelation.  Amen.

LIVE Student Ministry meets on Sunday nights at 6:30 at Church Alive in Fuquay Varina, NC.
Church Alive's weekend services are Saturday nights at 6pm and Sunday mornings, 9am and 11am.

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