9/27/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5.8)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Preposterous? Inconceivable? Impossible? Do any of those words come to mind when you first read or heard read the beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”? Let’s be honest with ourselves and one another in considering this question. In this beatitude, Jesus creates two realities which seem to be in conflict with us in the world. Hear them again.

First, Jesus speaks to the reality that those who are “pure in heart” shall be blessed, are blessed and will be a blessing. All three of those interpretations are true to the construct of “blessed are….” The problem is not the blessing because it comes from God. God is the creator and bestower of all blessings. Even those acts we perform in our kindness, gratuity and mercy toward others be they family, friend, or enemy as merely the affirmation and transmission of the blessing which comes from God. Many of us “old school” disciples have sung this reality in the Doxology. That liturgical song declares at the very start “Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, you heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. AMEN.” The good thing is that we do not have to be “pure in heart” to share a blessing from God with others. Even strangers or enemies may well be a carrier of a blessing from God to us. I know it sounds strange, but God does work in mysterious ways His wonder to perform! Certainly their intentions may have been dubious, hate-filled or self-intended as Joseph’s brothers when they sold him into Egyptian slavery and fabricated a ruse to confuse Jacob leaving him in mourning for a son he dearly loved. It probably didn’t do Rachel any favors either. But, as the story progressed through the days and years of their lives, Joseph was able to confer a blessing on his brothers. After several mechanations, Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers saying, “What you intended for evil [harm], God has worked for good.” How many times have we experienced the relentless pursuit of a loving God to redeem a people who seem far from being “pure in heart”? Who then apart from the Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit (and maybe Mary the mother of Jesus) could be “pure in heart.” Yet, there it is in black and white. If Jesus declares a thing, then that thing must have the possibility of “recognized” truth. So, what does “pure in heart” mean? It certainly cannot exclusively mean “perfect in thought and actions.” I mean, after all, even in our state of salvation, we still are far from perfect as we are being perfected. It may not be until we pass through the gate of Heaven that the truly new creation we are promised to be becomes reality. So, maybe Jesus is speaking of our intentions as honorable, God-worthy, servant-like in administration, loving, kind and merciful. Maybe then, we can allow ourselves to accept the possibility of being “pure in heart” even if it is just for a moment at a time.

Then Jesus exposes the blessing for our consideration as what is possible for those who are “pure in heart.” He declares, “…for they shall
SEE God.” There are but a handful of individuals throughout the Biblical story of faith who are credited with “seeing God.” The admonition is that “No one can look upon the face of God and live.” (Exodus 33.20) It is obvious, however, to the Hebrew community at the foot of Mt. Sinai when their eyes “see” Moses that Moses has “seen” something. He is changed. I suppose a talking, burning but not consumed by fire bush would be sufficient. But, they have seen far more than that by this time. Egypt was visited by ten plagues which could not be assuaged by Pharaoh’s wise men, magicians and priests. They saw Pharaoh release them from captivity to fly into the wilderness like a flock of birds. They saw a whirlwind of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night which led them in the direction they should go. They saw the sea open up so they could escape Pharaoh’s wrath once more. Passing through on the seabed with walls of water piled up on either side, the evidence was seemingly supernatural. Of course, the force of the falling water was catastrophic for Pharaoh and his army as they pursued the escapees on what had become dry ground for 2.5 million people, their possessions and their livestock. We know of Enoch, Adam and Eve, Elijah and Jesus. They are had “seen” God. But, Jesus was not speaking of “seeing” God as if one was looking in the mirror or walking up to the Almighty to fist bump or high five. Instead, the word used in Greek is “horao.” It means “to acknowledge,recognize, declare a truth about a thing.” How many times has a concept become clear after being dim, cloudy or muddled and you said, “Oh, I see!” That is the meaning Jesus wanted the people to understand and embrace. It is the opportunity to recognize “God is in this place,” “This could be none other than the hand of God,” or “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God.” And it is that last phrase which may well carry the most significant meaning of all. It speaks not of every day things we humans wish we had or could do. It speaks of salvation, saving grace and redemptive mercy. We cannot save ourselves, only God can. And He has saved us through the sacrificial giving of Jesus, His Only Begotten Son. It is by and through His love that all things can be worked together for our good. Our good can be nothing more or less than our salvation and restoration as a person and a people of God. It is there at the cross we will hear from a Roman Centurion stationed nearby to guard the crucifixion the words of “they shall see God.” Having observed all the things which lead up to and now included the dying and death of Jesus, he said, “Surely, this was a man of God.” There was nothing in it for him in that moment to say such a thing. It was spoken out of the purity of his heart recognizing the purity of Jesus’ heart for God’s people, friends and enemies alike.

What is the condition of our hearts, mighty ones of God? Are we focused on ourselves and drawing attention to the “holy me”? Or, are we focused on “seeing God” at work in and through all things for the good of His people who are and can be called by His Name? Do we give God all the glory, credit and honor due His Name? Or do we allow others to carry responsibilities for things that truly are not theirs? Oh that we can say “I see God.” And how much more for others to be able to say “I see God in you.”

TODAY’S PRAYER IN LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain the eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.