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| In a reenactment, Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount. |
Those who mourn are those who are prepared to renounce and live without everything the world calls happiness and peace. They are those who cannot be brought into accord with the world, who cannot conform to the world. They mourn over the world, its guilt, its fate, and its happiness.
No one understands people better than Jesus’s community. No one loves people more than Jesus’ disciples.
That is why they [Jesus’s disciples] stand apart, why they mourn; it is meaningful and lovely that Luther translates the Greek word for what is blessed with “to bear suffering.”
The important part is the bearing.
The community of disciples does not shake off suffering, as if they had nothing to do with it. Instead they bear it. In doing so, they give witness to their connection with the people around them.
At the same time this indicates that they do not arbitrarily seek suffering – that they do not withdraw into willful contempt for the world. Instead, they bear what is laid upon them and what happens to them in discipleship for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Finally, disciples will not be weakened by suffering, worn down, and embittered until they are broken. Instead, they bear suffering, by the power of him who supports them. The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of him who bears all suffering on the cross.
As bearers of suffering, they stand in communion with the Crucified. They stand as strangers in the power of him who was so alien to the world that it crucified him.
DIETRICH BONHOEFFER
Interesting that the translation for “blessed” comes from the Greek word that means “to bear suffering.” I had never read, or heard, that before, but it makes sense.
Just like true followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus’s disciples were apart from, but at the same time, a part of, the world. Others (the unsaved) just don’t get a true follower’s devotion to living as He would have us live, nor do they understand the commitment that entails.
A true follower of Jesus picks up his cross daily as required in Luke 9:23 (NIV), bears the suffering, and proceeds to spread the Word of Him who would save the world.
A true follower of Jesus bears the suffering of the world because….
A true follower stands “in communion with the Crucified.”
Are you a true follower of the Word?
Do you pick up your cross daily?
Do you love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul?
Are you…?
In this Lenten season of introspection, please take time to consider these life-altering questions. Take time to make your peace with God. Take time to ensure your eternal future.
Repent; confess your sins; become a follower…TODAY!
After all, who other than Jesus – and the United States military – ever died so that you could live? The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:3 (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
He died in my place, yours too, so that we could see glory with Him. He died to secure my eternal future.
Give yourself to him. What do you have to lose, except your eternal soul?
This post began with a commentary on the Beatitudes. Here, for your reading enjoyment is the entire text of Jesus's introduction to the Sermon on the Mount.
Meditate on these words of enlightment from the fifth book of Matthew (NIV) –
The Beatitudes
[Jesus] said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
May God bless you today and every day. AMEN.
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