The opening verses of Matthew 5 are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. Each of the nine beatitudes begins with “Blessed are . . .” and then provides a condition for blessing. I wrote an introduction to the Beatitudes in a previous post which you might find helpful.

In the USA, we might think we are blessed if we have a loving family, a good church, a comfortable house, a reliable car, a rewarding job, and . . . Each of our lists would include things that most people, of every culture and time in history would think necessary for happiness or to feel blessed. We likely think of blessing in terms of physical comfort and pleasant distraction. But Jesus shows us that he thinks otherwise.

F. Hauck, in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, refers to the beatitudes in Matthew 5 as “sacred paradoxes” where God affects a reversal of all human values. He goes on to say,

“True happiness is not for the rich and secure, but for the poor and oppressed who are rich only in pity, purity, and peace. Blessing is also for the persecuted, for those who hear the message of the kingdom (Mt. 13:16), for those who meet it with faith (Lk. 1:45), for those who make no false demands (Jn. 20:29), for those who watch (Lk. 12:37) and stand fast (of Jesus (Jn. 13:17),”

What hit me this morning is that none of the conditions listed by Jesus are tied to the current situation of the one to be blessed. The conditions for blessing are internal and not external. They are based on choices we can make, not circumstances forced upon us. More specifically, in those conditions for blessing, Jesus outlines the correct response to the things that trouble us.

I am writing this to remind myself and my readers to focus on allowing my thinking to be transformed (Romans 12:2) so that I can see things from God’s perspective and be obedient to what he has called me to do no matter what goes on around me.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:5, ESV

I read the opening verses of John this morning and the phrase quoted above grabbed my attention.

Later in the same Gospel, John records Jesus acknowledging that the world brings us plenty of tribulation and trouble (John 16:33) but also tells us we can be of good cheer despite that trouble.

How?

We have difficulties in relationships, health challenges, financial challenges, and sometimes life is just difficult. On top of that, we have a culture in the West that is increasingly hostile to Christian belief and practice.

In my country, we are months away from a Presidential election where one of the candidates is a reputed womanizer and certainly a bully and the other openly promotes abortion and policies that lead to the breakdown of the family. When I listen to the news or hear ads from the candidates, I want to put my hands over my ears and scream, “la, la, la, la.”

Darkness seems to be increasing.

But then there is Jesus, the Light of the World, shining in the darkness.

John reminds me that the only response to the darkness is to focus on and walk toward the light. If I keep my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and remember that not only will he come again and set things right, he is now with me even in the hard things (Matthew 28:20), then I can maintain equilibrium and have some sense of peace.

The darkness cannot overcome the light.

That promise is like a life preserver that keeps me afloat when adrift on the water of this culture.

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.”

Jonah 4:1, ESV

Those of us who have been in the church for a while can read or hear Bible stories without allowing ourselves to be challenged by them. They can be so familiar that we encounter them without thinking about what we are to learn from them.

In listening to the story of Jonah this morning, I was struck by the phrase I quoted above. Jonah was angry that the Ninevites repented and that God showed them mercy. Jonah had contempt for those to which he was called to preach.

When I was young, the church I attended was a small Conservative Baptist congregation in a borough in Eastern Pennsylvania. It was a group of people who were like-minded and comfortable (for the most part) with each other. But the church was not experiencing any growth no matter what standard was used to measure it.

One Sunday a Christian ministry that performed puppet shows to share the gospel message was featured in the morning worship service. The local newspaper learned about it and sent a reporter to cover the event. This was a great opportunity for the church to reach others with the message of Jesus Christ.

What stands out from that event is that some (many?) in the congregation were angry that the reporter came into the church wearing blue jeans with his hair long enough to have a ponytail. This they considered improper attire for Sunday Worship. Not only did they disapprove, they did a good job communicating their contempt for the reporter’s appearance.

Jonah was angry rather than delighted about God’s acceptance of the Ninevites; the church members were angry that God had brought this young man into the church to hear the gospel.

Lest we begin to feel contempt for those people or Jonah, I am reminded that we all tend to see the worst in others while ignoring it in ourselves. This is why Jesus gave us this parable:

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Matthew 7:3–5, ESV

Jesus used a humorous story to show us that we all tend to see the small defects in others while ignoring the large ones in ourselves. If you would like additional observations on this parable follow this link to a previous post.

The best way we can put ourselves in the proper frame of mind to spread the gospel is to keep in mind our own need for it.

It is hard to condemn others when we understand that flaws and rebellion are deeply seated in our own hearts and we all need God’s grace which has been extended to us through Jesus Christ.

If you are encouraged by this post or would like to join in a conversation, please use the comment form below to offer your feedback. If you are reading this in an email and would like to comment, you can reply to the email or click on the “Read in browser” link below to go to the web page where you can enter a comment. I enjoy hearing from you.

The opening verses of James are familiar to anyone who has been in the church for a while. But when we slow down long enough to consider them closely, we have to ask some questions.

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 1:2–4, CSB

The first thing that I notice is that we are commanded to have great joy when experiencing trials. This is counterintuitive in that we are conditioned to avoid trials. I know that I am more inclined to pursue comfort rather than trials.

It is interesting to me that this is a command. We are not encouraged to try and have joy. He does not say we might have joy eventually. James is saying that we need to choose joy in the circumstance. How is that even possible?

Regular readers of this blog will probably see a pattern here because again it comes down to trust. Do I trust God enough to be able to have joy when my circumstances militate against joy? Do I trust that nothing takes place outside of God’s superintendence? Do I trust that God will somehow get me through the difficulty?

James gives us a reason for considering trials as a means of having joy. He tells us that the trials will produce endurance.

The way I have historically understood this is that I need to step back and take a long term view of the situation and see that I will grow as a result of the trial. And while this is true, I still find it hard to have joy in the necessity of enduring the trial. “Grin and bear it” is the best I can do on my own.

I am finding that God is using my circumstances to teach me the lesson that I am not in control of my circumstances. Or, at least, I have very limited control over them, and even my limited control is a gift from God.

The verb translated consider carries the idea of thinking it through and coming to a conclusion. This is far different than a snap reaction to our trials. I think that James is encouraging us to slow down our reaction and think it through to determine the correct response.

Did you notice that not only should we think of joy when we encounter trials, we should think it to be a great joy.

Yup. I will need a little help with that.

If you are encouraged by this post or would like to join in a conversation, please use the comment form below to offer your feedback. If you are reading this in an email and would like to comment, you can reply to the email or click on the “Read in browser” link below to go to the web page where you can enter a comment. I enjoy hearing from you.