The Beatitudes

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

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

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

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

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:1 - 12 New Revised Standard Version).”

            In the midst of physically healing people, Jesus stops to speak to the crowds which could be considered ‘spiritually’ healing people. Jesus gives the people nine instances in which they will be blessed. These situations are what one would not normally consider these as blessed events. Poverty, mourning, persecution and insults are never considered blessings. And in many societies mercy, meekness, purity, peacefulness, and pushing for righteousness are not valued but rather scorned as being weak or foolish. Yet, Jesus promises counterintuitive blessing to those who find themselves in these instances.

           I have heard and read these verses since I was a young child, but never understood them. Enlightenment started a few years ago with the meaning of the verse “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” but I could not relate it to the rest of the passage. Then a few months ago, I seemed to encounter resistance when working with a few people who seemed to be unable or unwilling to grasp the bigger people that God had in store for them and our community. This kept happening, too,  which frustrated me. As I shared in prayer with God my frustration over this a few months ago, these verses came to mind. Then when I was at a church service for All Saints’ Day, the service linked the death of the Iraqi Christians to the Beatitudes especially verse ten “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This moved me greatly; I had finally caught a glimpse of the depth of meaning in these verses.

         To Jesus’ original audience, he was telling them the following:

1.      Those who are so poor that they can only rely on God for their needs are the ones that receive his favor and entrance into the Kingdom. Those who, though not poor in reality, know that in spite of all that they have they really are fully dependant on God for everything share in this blessing. Those who think they have to do anything do not share in this blessing.

2.      Those who, like the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah (see Jeremiah and Lamentations), mourn and are deeply distressed over the state of Israel’s sin which has caused it to be dominated by the Romans can take comfort in the fact that the new Kingdom of Heaven has now arrived. They do not have to wait any longer for their salvation.

3.      Those who are gentle, mild and meek [but not servile], and do not have malice or retaliation in their hearts will inherit the New Heavens and the New Earth. They will be the ones to inherit something great and not those who are prideful, vengeful and belligerent or unkind. They may have to wait till the Second Coming but they will win out on top in spite of how things look now and in spite of what the Romans, Jews and common sense tell them.

4.      Those who cannot seem to get enough of God’s word in their hearts as well as hunger for God to act in justice that they are constantly begging God for him to act so have hope that God will respond. He might respond now, as in answering one’s call for salvation, or maybe later but definitely at the renewal of all things. Their work would not be in vain.

5.      Those who show compassion, forgiveness and mercy to others, including their enemies will be given this same treatment by God at the coming of the renewal of all things. This is in spite of what the Romans, Jews and common sense tell them.

6.      Those have a single-minded devotion to God will be rewarded by seeing God. This does not have to mean they will see him in heaven, but it could also mean that they will see him in a similar fashion as to Moses. They will times of sweet communion that others who are not wholeheartedly devoted to Jesus will never see.

7.      Unlike what the Romans believed and taught, as well as what common sense taught, the Children of God are really those who promote as well as work for peace.

8.      Finally, the strangest concept of them all is that persecution for God is a blessing! Not only are we to rejoice over it but leap over it. This does not mean one should have a martyr complex but to see the good that can only come from persecution on behalf of Christ instead of the easy life.  And those who die for Christ’s sake will receive an even great blessing.

The reason why I never could understand the beatitudes is simple. I rarely see Christians modeling them before me. And that is because most Christians either do not view them as possible for us to do, now, here on earth. I do not hear sermons preaching the joy of being meek and mild. Nor do I hear conversations in which the Christians around me obsess over “how can I become more meek?”  I have heard some sermons and conversations about the importance of reconciliation especially in South Africa in response to reconciliation. But that would be an exception to the case. In general, the culture around me on many levels is like that of the first century Palestine – meekness, peace, mourning over sin, poverty, hunger and devotion to God, compassion, mercy and fighting for justice are all viewed as weaknesses, defects, and ‘sins’. Yet, when we view the beatitudes as descriptors of kingdom living we see how truly radical Jesus’ message was to them as well as to us. The key is to remember that we can only do and become all this through God’s power and Holy Spirit working in us to renew the Image of God in each member of the Kingdom. As we learn to reject the  value systems of the culture around us and instead rely more and more on God to mold us and cooperate with his working within us, we then become the truly blessed who bless others and through whom God can use to draw others into His Kingdom. [btw, this is a summary of my 26 page paper on the subject.]

Washing one's hands...or how to predict a recession...

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, 'Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?' He said to them, 'Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines." You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.' Then he said to them, 'You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition! For Moses said, "Honor your father and your mother"; and, "Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die." But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, "Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban" (that is, an offering to God)- then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother, thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this.' Then he called the crowd again and said to them, 'Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.' When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. He said to them, 'Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?' (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, 'It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.' Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Mark 7: 1- 23 (NRSV)

I am not financially minded at all. My parents' financial acumen got passed on to my cousins and missed me entirely. A college friend is in a similar way. She isn't financially minded either but does a family member who is a wiz at such a thing. Before the recession started and before some company crashed due to too much speculation [it wasn't Enron but afterwards...definitely Enronn like situation whose name I can't remember], my friend and I were constantly on the phone discussing this situation. We'd ask how can these companies stay afloat with all these greedy practices going on by the business industry? Sure enough, it didn't last forever and the business[es] collapsed and the market has had problems ever since. After wards, I read/heard some long-drawn out economic explanations for what happened. They went over my head...but really, I and my friend understood it from another aspect - 'It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come:... avarice... All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.'

"Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.' Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Mark 6:47- 56 (NRSV)

This scenario reminds me of a former church of which I was once a member. This church had a lot of problems in it and the people seemed rather helpless and fearful. I asked others to join me in praying for the church but only 3 people [one at a time] joined with me. This was discouraging but yet on the other hand, hearing from God each time we prayed really encouraged me. Each week I and the other person prayed, and God would reveal a part of his plan for the church. So when that plan was put into action before my and the other person's eyes, we were prepared and not caught off guard. Meanwhile, the rest of the church [which never joined us in prayer] were always caught off guard and always so fearful. I bolded the one verse above because that reminded me of the peoples' reaction at that church.

God told me and the other person his plans, not because we were super saints, etc but because we took the time to pray and become intimate with God. He rewarded our time with him by sharing what was on his heart. This gave me a lot of stability in the midst of the storm at that church.

Acting consistently...

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, 'If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?' We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. Galatians 2: 11- 21 (NRSV)

They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, 'John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.' But others said, 'It is Elijah.' And others said, 'It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.' But when Herod heard of it, he said, 'John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.' For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.' And he solemnly swore to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the baptizer.' Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Mark 6: 13- 29 (NRSV)

I was baptized as an infant. When I was in college, several of my friends renewed their faith and felt like celebrating it through being rebaptized. Not knowing a thing about the theology of baptism [once is enough], I still had an issue with it. I just didn't see the need to be rebaptized. But, I asked God for wisdom on the matter. His response was for me to live a consistent Christian life instead of being rebaptized. Both were actions showing one's faith, but anyone can be baptized *while it takes strength and reliance on God's Grace to be consistent in one's Christian walk. [* At least in North America where it doesn't have much negative repercussions.]

It does seem counterintuitive to say that being consistent is wonderful and a joyful thing when it might get one killed [or some other form of persecution], but there is joy in knowing one is in the center of God's will. God also gives the joy of his presence, grace and Spirit to encourage one to live consistently and as a 'reward' for consistent Christlike living. This then will have ripple effects as others around one are strengthened, encouraged and drawn to a deeper walk with Christ themselves.

Persecution

Matthew 10: 16 - 22 - 

 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.  On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,  for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 

Today, the Church commenorates the conversion of Paul found in Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22. Since Paul/Saul was known for his persecution of Christians this passage from Matthew can give a picutre of life as a new Christian during the time of Saul. These Christians were presented not just before fellow Jews in the synogues, but also before the Roman officials. Jesus was warning them that life in the kingdom would have joy but also persecution. But they were to take heart in that they would not be left alone, they would have the Holy Spirit with them, giving them the worlds that they would need in their defense.

To personalize this [since most North American Christians probably won't experience this level of persecution], we can remember that persecution then and now also includes persecution by family members. I think of the beatitudes in which it is said blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the poor in spirit, etc these go against the North American culture even within the church. I've encountered persecution [albeit in a much lesser degree than what the Persecuted Church encounters through beatings, amputations, jail time, etc but still it happens]. I have been told by collegues that there is something weak and contemptable about me showing mercy to former students, being utterly dependant on God as if I am wasting his time and seeking peace insted of attacking political opponents. But as Jesus told his hearers in Matthew, what matters is sticking with what I know and relying on him when others around me don't understand. There is joy is knowing I am on the right track even if it doesn't seem so at the time.

A faith to withstand the storms of life...

Galatians 1: 1 - 10

Paul, an apostle–sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead – and all the brothers with me,

To the churches in Galatia:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Tonight I was having dinner with a Christian friend of mine. As part of our conversation, I suddenly became impassioned with the subject of shallow faith versus a deeper faith. I wondered what was up that I suddenly got all passionate about this subject but when I read tonight's passage from Galatians, it made sense finally.

I bolded the one section because it reminded me of a few people I know who can follow God when things are ok, or have a "Sunday School" faith but are afraid to ask God the tough questions of life. One friend had been taught that God is to be reverenced so much that to present any doubt whatsoever to him, was sin. Thus when the troubles of life got too much for her, her faith wavered and almost died. Thankfully, God saw here through the battle and she came to realize that God can handle her doubts and anger.

Refering more specifically to the bible passage I bolded, the Galatians [and I would say all of us who follow him ] are benefited by a small amount* of these troubles of life if only to help us realize what in our faith is trustworthy and really from God, versus what is not. Before I was a teacher, one day God impressed upon me that no matter what, I am to be completely honest with him about everything. So at the end of a bad day of teaching [which seemed to happen alot], I would be brutally honest. Looking back on those days, I believe it was the only thing that kept me alive and sane as a teacher. Doing so, deepened my faith and helped me to become more intimate with God and not see him as a "Sunday Doll" - someone to play with on Sundays and then forget about for a week.

One way to help one to not desert God when life is rough is to tell him everything. Remember his shoulders are broad and he can handle whatever we say, think, feel or do. And who else is better equiped to take care of us during our struggles?

* I say small amount because there are some folks [ex. Haitians] who seem to have more than their fair share of woes meanwhile others live the life of leisure. Something seems wrong there.

Jesus said "'Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, 'What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.' For he had said to him, 'Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!' Then Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?' He replied, 'My name is Legion; for we are many.' He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, 'Send us into the swine; let us enter them.' So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, 'Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.' And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. Mark 5:1 - 20 NRSV

Though maybe not as dramatically as with this poor soul who could only live amonst the tombstones, there are many of us who carry with us a similar, albeit smaller burdens that prevent one from living life to the fullest.One can be saved but if old wounds are never exposed to Jesus for his complete healing, these wounds will fester and eventually control us, thereby affecting ourselves and affecting others around us. Since one in this state can survive in society, or have the inner strength to deal with wounds, most often people don't realize that truly living in abundance [John 10:10] means giving to God ALL of our wounds even the little ones that don't seem that big of a problem. But eventually, a time will come when is old and infirm and can't control the anger and pain caused years ago and out it comes...only to affect the innocent. Plus by the time it is often too late to deal with it properly.

A friend who worked at a nursing home told a story of an elderly woman who would walk the walls constantly fightly with her father. Said father had died years ago but the two never worked things out so this lady in her dementia continued the fight. We are all like this. Imagine holding a basketball under water. As long as one's arms are strong one can keep the ball underwater. But when the arms weaken or the body gets sick, up comes the basketball and it hits us in the face. This is what happens when we don't resolve long lasting issues - we'll be ok until something happens and we no longer have the strength to stuff the pain.

Ask God today, everyday and if need be every second of the day to heal you of these words. Everyday give God your pain, wounds and anger. Over time, you'll notice a differnce for the better.

Jesus changed the world

Children and Parents

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise– “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.  Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

I've never liked this particular passsge as it didn't seem to be truly freeing to those who were undertrodden. But, it is important to know the context of the situation in which Paul is speakingn to the Ephesians. To our modern ears, it seems like Paul is saying that we must have a hierarchial view of life. But really, as my friend James puts it "I believe Paul intends to put stress into the reading because while wives, children, and slaves all are expected to submit as those who are the least in the society and culture he writes in, the idea that husbands, fathers, and masters should become like Christ and make themselves the least and serve the wives, children, and slaves undermines these hierarchal systems." When Paul tells husbands to treat his wife sacrificially, and slave owners as equals and fathers with care to how their children will be affected by this fatherly treatment he's showing them a better, godly way. While not as  'revolutionary as we in the 21st century would like, it definitely was revolutionary for its time.

For more imformation see :Does Ephesians 5 and 6 endorse or subvert hierarchical systems and relationships?

He said to them, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!' And he said to them, 'Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.' He also said, 'The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.' He also said, 'With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.' With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. Mark 4:21-34 NRSV.

I grew up not really hearing too much spoken about the kingdom of God. I have rather heard alot how need to have Jesus save us so that we don't go to hell. I have found that this approach is lacking. It sets up people to believer that salvation is only about 'fire insurance'. In reality is is becoming a part of God's kingdom on earth and in heaven.

And what does this kindgom mean? It is a belief and mindset that I am a part of a community of believers that are on the path towards sancification. This kindgom has different values in comparison to the world around us. Ex. from the beatitudes, we learn that having a kingdom mentality means seeking peace more than my own way, seeking mercy is more important that the letter of the law, being poor in spirit when the world around us emphasises matieral blessing, and being meek is a a blessed thing to Jesus while might makes right is NOT a virture. For some Christians this comes as a shock but it is true none the less. 

For the longest time I never understood the beatitudes. But then I realized in my study of them, that it was because people found them hard to follow so gave up on them. In reality, they are not hard if one is open to God's leading and enbaling. When we show God 's power through the beatitudes, we can be powerful lights shining for all the world to see how Christ's love has made a difference in us.

"Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."

Luke 5: 12 - 16
12	While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."
13	And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him.
14	And he charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people."
15	But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities.
16	But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.

"Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." This has been my prayer for healing for several years now. I have prayed this concerning chronic migraines for over a decade. I have done this along with regularly asking my pastor or any pastor to anoint me for healing. Over time I have been assured of God's healing and can already see a lot of progress.

This kind of regular praying comes from a desperate heart. Mine is not the only one desperate. The people in verse 15 were desperate as well so much so that they followed Jesus where ever he went. They wanted to hear him as well as be healed by him. The more desperate one is for God, the more one will do whatever it takes to be closer to him. A former pastor told about when his daughter was on the way to the hospital. As he was desperately praying for her, God told him to always remember this sense of desperation because that is how God wanted him to approach God. This attitude of desperation is what Matthew 5 refers to as "poor in spirit." These are people who have the attitude that says "I know that all that I have comes from God". This attitude is what helps to grow and deepen the relationship with God. The good news is that this attitude is blessed by God because he "rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6)." One of the many rewards of earnestly seeking him is the reasurance of his presence. It can also be some sort of healing, spiritual growth, or seeing God in a new, fresh way.

Happy Epiphany

Matthew 2:1-12

The Visit of the Magi

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east  and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. NIV

Yesterday [January 6th] was Epiphany. The free dictionary gives several definitions for epiphany one of which is a revelatory manifestation of a divine being. When the Magi from the east [astrologers] visited Jesus as a child their search was rewarded by receiving this revelatory manifestation of God's son. They were not Hebrews and probably did not have much knowledge of God from the bible, but by following what knowledge they did have, they sought God and found him.

God, the creator of the universe, still reveals himself to all who diligently seek him [Hebrews 11:6]. I went through a period of time where all I said was "your face oh, Lord, do I seek. [Psalm 27:8] and I really came to love verse 4 which says "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. "  I prayed this because I had read how some Christians over the centuries had really come to experience God in deeper, more profound ways which produced a hunger for the same in me. God rewarded my earnest seeking so that over the years I have had some profound times of communion with God in which he revealed himself in such a way as to give me my own "Epiphany".

New Year's Blessings

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." ' Numbers 6:24 - 26