Blessed Are The Pure In Heart

                                                         Blessed Are The Pure In Heart

(Words From the Mountain)

 

In our series, "Words from the Mountain," we have been exploring Jesus' teachings to become better followers of Christ. So far, we have learned that the poor in spirit will enter God's Kingdom. As citizens of God's Kingdom, we mourn our own sins and the sins of others, and God comforts us with the gift of salvation. We recognize that only through gentleness can we win people over. When we hunger and thirst for God's righteousness, God satisfies us, and we become merciful to others just as God has been merciful to us.

We arrive at one of the most important teachings of Christ: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8. This beatitude is not about God's actions in response to our deeds, but about seeing God Himself. How exciting is the idea of seeing God in His Glory! We start our journey by understanding what is meant by the term "The Heart."

I. The Human Heart:

            The Bible uses the term heart in different ways. In Hebrew, two words were used for the heart: Leb and Lebab. Depending on the context, these words emphasized mind, emotions, and will. More often, they referred to the entire inner person, the inner man, or the personality. The Greek word translated as "heart" is" Kardia," which is still used today in modern medicine, such as in Cardiology and Cardiac disease, etc.[1]

According to Lloyd Jones, the human heart in scripture includes intellect, emotions, and will. It is the center of man's being and personality; it is the fount out of which everything else comes. It is the total man, and that is the thing our Lord has been after, the human heart."[2] The heart is not only the seat of our whole personality but also has been the seat of all our troubles.

This is how the scriptures describe the condition of the human heart since the Fall. Genesis 6:5-6, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled." Even now, God grieves by seeing how far humans have strayed in their wicked ways.

II. The Deceitful Heart

For the past few months, I have been acutely aware of my heart due to a specific heart condition. Several tests and scans were performed to evaluate my heart's health. I even joked with the technician performing the MRI: "Wow! You get to see my heart. What did you see?" I was amazed by the knowledge and skills of the radiologists and cardiologists who diagnosed a particular disease of my heart and found a suitable treatment option.

I wondered whether they have any idea how broken, sick, evil, and deceived my own heart, my inner personality, has been. Not to mention fixing my broken heart. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, accurately assessed the human heart. "The heart is more deceitful than all else, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 NASB.

King Solomon further revealed what truly occurs in the hearts of humankind. "The hearts of all people, moreover, are full of evil, and there is madness in their hearts while they live, afterword they join the dead. Ecc 9: 3 If no one can understand and heal our broken hearts, then who can? Only God! "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:10.

So we cry out to the Lord, saying, "Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed, Save me, and I will be saved." Jeremiah 17:14. How is your heart today? Does it need some fixing? We have recognized how sick we are and who can heal us. Let's explore what purity of heart looks like.

III. Blessed Are The Pure In Heart.

            Our main verse comes from Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." We will explore what it means to be pure in heart and how this enables us to see God. Have you ever wondered what motivates someone to commit a terrible crime like murder, adultery, or lash out in anger at loved ones? It is the evil that resides in their hearts. Jesus, while addressing the Pharisees' hypocrisy, reveals the impurity of the unregenerate human heart.

            Matthew 15:18-20, "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them." This is the true nature of the fallen human beings.

While making a point that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, Jesus said, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart." Luke 6:45. What have we stored up in our hearts today?

What is necessary before we can see God? Holiness! Psalm 24:3-4, "Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false God." Hebrews 12:14, "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

 What did our Lord mean by, "pure in heart'? A pure heart means a heart free of hypocrisy, which means single-mindedness.[3] Jesus taught his disciples about the single, and evil eye in Matt 6:22, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness! KJV. Then made a profound statement: Matt. 6:24, "You cannot serve both God and money."

The purity of heart, therefore, relates to singleness or complete devotion to God alone. One of the best definitions of purity is found in Psalm 86:11, "Unite my heart to fear thy name." NASB. The real issue with followers of Christ is a divided heart. We are distracted by many things that divert our focus from following God to the ways of the world. The need of the hour is to pray to God so that He might unite our hearts to fear His name.

To be pure in heart means to avoid evil and to live a life that glorifies God by obeying His commandments. Jesus said all the law and the prophetsthe prophets hang these two vital commandments. Matthew 2:37-40, Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." When we live in obedience to these commandments, we shall see God.

What did Jesus mean by saying, "We shall see God"? Does it mean we shall see God in this world? Or when we get to heaven? Partially, this has been fulfilled here and now and in its totality in the Kingdom of God. In a way, Christians, God's children, have a unique sense of God's presence in and all around them. When we look at creation, we see God's fingerprints everywhere. When we see God's saving power in the way He saved us. We observe God's healing power as He heals our sicknesses and restores broken hearts.

All these partial manifestations of God are his mirror reflections in this world. I Cor 13:12. John the Beloved Disciple further amplified our future vision of Jesus. I John 3: 2-3, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." You and I, who are going through troubles and challenges in life, will one day see God face to face and live with Him forever? If we can grasp this glorious vision, it will revolutionize our lives!

 

Scriptures for further reading.

Job 19:25-27

Job 26:7-14

I Peter 1:8-9

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[1] Bruce Thompson, Walls Of My Heart page 35

[2] Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon On The Mount, Page 93

[3] Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon On The Mount, Page 94

 

Blessed Are The Merciful

                                                             Blessed Are the Merciful.

(Words From the Mountain)

 

Tim Keller shared a story about a man named Hasheem Garrett, who learned the power of forgiveness. Hashim was a 15-year-old living with his mother and hanging out on the streets of Brooklyn with a gang when he was shot six times and left paralyzed from the waist down.

For most of the next year, he lay in a New York City hospital fantasizing about revenge. He later wrote: Revenge consumed me. All I could think about was, just wait, till I get better; just wait till I see this kid."

But when he was lying on the sidewalk immediately after his shooting, he had instinctively called out to God for help, and, to his surprise, he felt this strange tranquility. Now, during his rehabilitation, a new thought struck him—that if he took revenge on this kid, why should God not pay him back for all his sins? "You see, six months before this happened," he wrote, "I shot a kid, for no reason except that a friend told me to do it and I wanted to prove how tough I was. Six months later, I am shot by somebody because his friend told him to do it."

That thought was electrifying … He couldn't feel superior to the perpetrator. They were both fellow sinners who deserved punishment and needed forgiveness.

Hasheem said, "In the end, I decided to forgive. I felt God had saved my life for a reason, and then I knew I had to fulfill that purpose … And I knew I could never go back out there and hurt someone. I was done with that mindset and the life that goes with it … I realized I had to let go and stop hating."[1] The natural instinct for Hasheem was to take revenge and harm the boy who had paralyzed him. But when God changed his life, He showed mercy by forgiving that boy.

In our series, "Words from the Mountain," we have been exploring the teachings of Jesus to become better followers of Christ. So far, we have learned that through the poverty of spirit will we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. As Kingdom citizens, we can now mourn our own sins and the sins of others. We recognize that in the end, pride is not what wins; it is gentleness.

We find satisfaction when we hunger and thirst for God's righteousness. We will examine what a forgiven Christian should do in response. I titled this message "Blessed Are the Merciful." The key verse is: Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." NASB. What is Mercy? What does being merciful mean, and what blessings accompany it?

 I. What is Mercy, and how does it differ from grace?

The word "mercy" is defined as compassion, leniency, or restraint (such as in the imposition of punishment), shown especially to an offender or someone under another's authority. It also includes acts of compassion toward those in distress.[2] Biblically, "mercy" is one of God's moral attributes. To understand how mercy motivates God, consider these scriptures.

Exodus 34:6-7, "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, 'The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."

 

The Psalmist describes these aspects of God's character:  Psalm 103:8-9, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. ⁹ He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever."

 

What restrains God from destroying us despite our sins? It is His Mercy. Lamentation 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

 

In the scriptures, various words, such as "compassion, lovingkindness, favor, and steadfast love, often appear to illustrate the idea of mercy. On a human level, mercy is the benevolent or compassionate treatment of someone suffering or in need. Mercy is an attitude that motivates us to act on behalf of the unfortunate."[3] In his pastoral letters, the Apostle Paul, while greeting, includes these words: Grace, Mercy, and Peace to explain how they are different.

Martyn Loyd Jones notes, "The best definition of the two that I have ever encountered is this: Grace is especially associated with men in their sins; Mercy is especially associated with men in their misery. In other words, while grace looks down upon sin as a whole, mercy looks especially upon the miserable consequence of sin. The essential meaning of being merciful is pity plus the action. While grace feels pity, mercy acts to alleviate someone's misery."[4]

The best illustration of being merciful in the NT is the parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37. On one occasion, four men were on a journey going down from Jerusalem. One man was robbed, beaten up, and left half dead on the side of the road. A Priest and a Levite saw the man from a distance and may have felt compassion and pity for him, but went on their way.

A Samaritain saw the man in misery, had compassion on him, went to him on the other side of the road, dressed his wounds, took him to an inn, spent the night, took care of the man, and made provision for him. That is being merciful. It doesn't mean only feeling pity, but doing what we can to relieve the situation. Jesus commanded the Lawyer, saying, "Go and do likewise, (the acts of mercy). Let's see how God manifested this life-giving attribute toward us sinners.

II. God's Tender Mercies and The Gift of Salvation

            Several OT prophets prophesied that one day the God of heaven would send a savior to redeem his people who had gone astray from Him. As a prophetic fulfillment, John, the forerunner of the Savior, was born. His Father, Zachariah, while acknowledging his son's role in God's saving mission, prophesied this about the Savior of the World.

Luke 1:77-79, "To give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

 

Our gracious God, because of his tender mercies, saw the miserable state of humanity and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world. Jesus was full of grace, truth, and compassion. While he was on the earth, he performed many acts of mercy to deliver people from demonic oppression, healed the sick, and raised the dead. Mercy motivated Christ to give "himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God," so that, through Him, we might be forgiven of our sins and granted the gift of eternal life.

The salvation Christ offers is a gift. Eph 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Titus 3:5, "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." I Peter 1:3, "In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." What does our God, who is tender and rich in Mercy (Eph 2:4), expect from his children in response?

III. Blessed Are The Merciful

 

            Our key verse is Matthew 5:7: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Here, Jesus calls his followers to develop the divine trait of mercy. Luke presents it as a command rather than a suggestion and offers a reason. Luke 6:36 states, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." In a world that is vindictive, where people hate and fight with each other, how could that even be possible? Yet we are commanded to be merciful.

            Are we to be merciful to those deserving or to everyone? What about our enemies? God lets the Sun shine on all people, both the righteous and the unrighteous. God loves all people, including those who don't believe in Him and those who hate and oppose Him. God is merciful to all, including His enemies. Christ died for us while we were still His enemies. Rom 5:10

            Therefore, those of us God's children, whose sins have been forgiven, are given this command to be Merciful, which means putting our compassion to action. We are called to help meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those in need, especially members of God's family. James 2:15-16, "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? At Hope Church, we are mindful of one another's needs.

 If one member is hurting, besides praying, we do what we can to alleviate that person's troubling situation. We have the Deacon's fund, also called the Benevolence fund, to help temporarily those who might be financially challenged. When we help others in their time of need, God will be merciful toward us in ours. The same principles of “whoever refreshes others will be refreshed "Prov 11:25 and “give, it will be given to you,” Lk 6:38, apply to us being merciful. In closing, let’s examine ourselves. Are we being merciful, including toward our enemies? That is the test! Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Amen!

 

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[1] Tim Keller, Forgive, (Viking, 2022), page 16

[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy

[3] https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-mercy.html

[4] Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon On The Mount, page 84

Righteousness and Blessedness

                                              RIGHTEOUSNESS AND BLESSEDNESS

(Words From the Mountain)

 

On May 17, 2026, at the National Mall in Washington, a remarkable event took place. Thousands gathered for Rededicate 250, a nationwide prayer service in connection with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. President Donald Trump appeared via video, reading II Chronicles 7. Political leaders, along with evangelical figures, prayed and spoke.

The purpose of this gathering, however, seemed to be that if we, as a nation, publicly rededicate our country to God, then God will bless us and make us great and economically prosperous again. But what truly exalts a nation? It is not necessarily a public demonstration of rededication. In God's providence, the USA has been a blessed nation not because of its great people, but because many people trust in a Great God who is Just and Righteous in all His ways.

Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the nation, worried about what might happen when we violate God's gifts and turn away from Him. "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."[1]

In our series, "Words from the Mountain," Today, we will examine a crucial expectation of God for all His followers and the blessings that come with it, and also answer the question of what truly exalts our country, or any nation, for that matter. I title this message: Righteousness and Blessedness. Our key verse: Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." NASB. This raises several questions: What is righteousness? Who is righteous (Man or God)? What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and what blessedness does it carry?

I. What is Righteousness?

 According to the definition, a righteous person is someone who acts in accordance with divine or moral laws, free from guilt or sin. However, the question is whose moral and divine laws are these? The Bible defines righteousness as one of God's moral attributes. It is God's standard that He wants humanity to conform to, but can humanity reach it?

II. Who is righteous, (Man or God)?

Is there anyone truly free from wrongdoing or deception? The wise King Solomon lamented, "Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20. Paul, writing to the Romans, explains how a sinful person thinks and acts. Romans 3:10-12 states, "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

If none of us is righteous, then who is? Only our God is righteous, and all He does is just and right at all times. Moses wrote this song about God's character after seeing how He brought justice. "I will proclaim the name of the LORD, Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock; his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God, who does no wrong, upright and just is he." Deut 32:3-4. King David confessed, "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does." Ps 145:17.

Not only is God righteous, but His Kingdom is also righteous. Isaiah prophesied that God, "will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever." Isaiah 9:7.

King David declared, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne.” Ps 89:14. What exalts a nation is not man’s great ideas, but it is God and His people living according to His righteous standards.

Paul challenged Corinthian believers to know this fact: “the unrighteous and anyone unholy will not enter God’s Kingdom.” II Corinthians 6:9 In heaven, sin is finally dealt with.

If entering heaven requires a high standard of righteousness, how can a sinful person ever gain entry? In their sinful nature, they are unable to do so, so God provided a solution. That solution was His Son, Jesus Christ, who was completely sinless. God made Him to be sin for us so that, in Him, we might become the righteousness of God and enter His Kingdom. II Cor 5:21

Not everyone, but all those who have believed in Christ, and have their sins confessed and forgiven, will be clothed with robes of righteousness. Listen to the joyful singing of a saved soul, “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10. Well, it is all about our future in heaven, but we are not there yet! What are we supposed to do in the meantime?

III. Righteousness and Blessedness

Jesus continued his teaching by saying, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." NASB. Let’s look at what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness and the blessings that are associated with it. An attitude of spiritual helplessness is the entry point into God’s kingdom, enabling us to be sorrowful for our own sins and others’ sins. Through gentleness, a believer actively combats sin rather than adopting a passive, indifferent attitude. Only then do they hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness.

In Greek grammar, those who hunger and thirst are understood not as a continuous action. So, it can be said, “the hungering ones and the thirsting ones,” indicating constant and repetitive satisfaction with God’s righteousness, similar to physical hunger and thirst. Hunger and thirst are our primary drives that fulfill our survival needs.

Jesus used a physical phenomenon to encourage believers to pursue God’s righteousness and to be satisfied with Him. Just as food and water are vital for our physical survival, spiritual bread and living water are crucial for our spiritual growth. Only Jesus can meet both our physical and spiritual needs. After feeding over five thousand people, Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger.” John 6:35. On the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus made another powerful declaration of himself.

            John 7:37-38 says, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The timing of Jesus’ offer of living water was perfect. “During the feast, each morning for seven days, a priest led a procession with music from the temple to the nearby Pool of Siloam.

He fills a golden container with water and carries it back to the temple as the people sing praises to God. At the altar, the priest pours out the water, while another priest offers a drink-offering of wine on the opposite side of the altar. On the eighth and final day, according to some sources, the water-pouring ceremony was not repeated. It was on that waterless day that Jesus stood in the temple and declared that He Himself was the source of living water.”

What does this mean for us? This blessing of contentment with Jesus is granted to those who believe in and accept Him as their Savior. When we regularly and consistently turn to Jesus by reading His Word, He will satisfy our spiritual needs. The Holy Spirit will reveal God’s Kingdom principles and empower us to do His will.

It is the grace of God that “teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:12-14

 

 

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[1] https://www.azquotes.com/author/7392-Thomas_Jefferson/tag/god

Blessed Are The Gentle (Words From The Mountain)

                                               BLESSED ARE THE GENTLE! 

One day, my wife Wilma and I visited a farm in our small town, Sharon, to buy plants for our church and home garden. As we were leaving, I pulled out of the parking lot in front of a pickup truck driver, whom I believed was at a safe distance. The driver looked angry and honked loudly at me, then continued tailgating to intimidate me. When I slowed to pass a stopped truck carefully, the driver behind me grew even more irritated and honked loudly again.

My wife said, "Don't drive rashly, giving in to his anger." I stayed within the speed limit and, at a traffic light, chose a different route to avoid this unreasonable driver. In similar situations, we have sometimes encountered rude gestures from young, arrogant drivers. Later, when we reached home, we prayed for his soul to be saved. Why is it that, in our culture, more people are becoming impatient, rude, arrogant, and enraged on the road, especially when things don't go their way? Incidents like these are sure signs of the end times. II Timothy 3:1-5

How can we, as followers of Christ, live differently in a culture that values less morality and shows less care for others? I believe the answer is found in following Christ's teachings and helping others do the same. We aim to rediscover the counter-cultural messages of Christ that he shared on a mountaintop with the crowds, his close followers, and all the believers.

We have examined two Beatitudes. First, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom." Second, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Now, we will look at the third one, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5. We must remember one thing as we study the Beatitudes: they are not spoken impulsively by Jesus but in a logical order, with each leading to the next. For example, those who recognize their spiritual poverty would mourn over their own sins and the sins of others; they are the ones who will be meek or gentle and are blessed. I titled the sermon "Blessed Are the Gentle."

The words "meek or meekness" are not commonly used in everyday conversation; furthermore, meekness is often confused with weakness. For our study, instead of meekness, I am using a more familiar word: Gentleness. "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Matt 5:5 (NASB). This beatitude especially surprises people because it runs completely counter to the Spirit of this world. "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth!"

It suggests that the conquest or possession of the world belongs to the gentle among all people. However, the world believes differently: it is through military power, strength, and toughness that people think one can conquer. People assume that the more you assert yourself and show aggressiveness and control, the more you will succeed and win in life.

For such people, Jesus' words may serve as a harsh wake-up call. Jesus did not say that the arrogant, proud, rich, or powerful will inherit the earth, but that the gentle will. Therefore, we need to understand what Biblical Gentleness means, identify examples of gentleness in the scriptures, and learn to cultivate and demonstrate it. The world could use a few gentle people!

I. What is Gentleness?

            Let's start by clarifying what gentleness is not. Loyd Jones lists several negatives first before explaining what true gentleness really is. First, it is not a natural trait. It is not a matter of natural disposition because all Christians are meant to be like this regardless of their natural temperament or psychology, is meant to be like this. It is not apathy or being pleasant and soft.

Neither does it mean weakness, compromise, or peace at any price. It is compatible with great strength, authority, and power.

A gentleman is someone who believes and stands for truth, and is willing to die for it if necessary. It is not merely a matter of outward manner but also, and still more, of inward Spirit."[1] What, then, is gentleness? Lloyd-Jones sums it up this way:

            Gentleness is fundamentally a true perception of oneself, expressed through attitude and behavior toward others. It reflects my attitude toward myself and is manifested in my relationships with others. Lloyd-Jones adds, "A gentle man is not proud of himself; he does not in any sense glory in himself and does not assert himself. You see, it is contrary to the popular psychology of the culture, which says, 'assert yourself, and express your personality."

"John Stott provides a modern interpretation of meekness, asserting that it represents a balance between excessive anger and complete absence of anger. Contrary to misconceptions, meekness is not synonymous with weakness; rather, it embodies the gentleness of the strong, who exercise control over their strength."[2] Here are a few biblical figures, aside from our Lord himself, who, despite their natural temperaments, exhibited gentleness.

II. Biblical Examples of Gentleness

            Abraham demonstrated an exemplary gentlemanly attitude when he allowed his nephew, Lot, a younger man, to choose the land first and then accepted what remained without quarreling. Genesis 13. Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter and the privileges that come with it; instead, he chose to be mistreated along with God's people, hence regarded as the meekest man on earth. Hebrews 11:24-25. King Saul, out of jealousy, pursued David to kill him, but David never retaliated. Instead, after he became King of Israel, he showed kindness to Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-12). We remember him as a man after God's own heart.

Jesus exemplified gentleness. Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Dane Ortlund, in his book Gentle and Lowly, envisions this gentle Savior this way.

"Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, or easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms."[3] Paul describes how Jesus personified gentleness in Philippians 2:1-11 and urges the believers to have the same mindset as Christ in their relationships with one another. What blessings are in store for those who are gentle?

III. The Gentle Will Inherit the Earth.

"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Matt 5:5 (NASB). This is certainly not the picture of our world. Who leads the nations today? It is often the rich, powerful, and arrogant. Then what does it mean, and when will the gentle inherit the earth? According to Lloyd Jones, "the gentle already inherit the earth in this life, in this way. A truly gentle man is always satisfied; he is already content."[4] They might be poor, but are very rich in Christ.

In Paul's words, the gentle believers are: "known yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet living on, beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." II Cor 6:9-10. But the ultimate inheritance is not on this side of the world, but when Christ returns, we will become co-heirs with him, inheriting everything, and will reign with him forever in His everlasting Kingdom.

Romans 8:17, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God—and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." In the meantime, as God's children and co-heirs of Christ, let us have Christ's mindset and reflect the heart of our Savior and Lord, as Paul says: "Let our gentleness be evident to all." Phil 4:5:

Let us show kindness in everyday relationships. In workplaces, families, and friendships, our gentleness is demonstrated through speaking graciously, listening carefully, and not seeking revenge when wronged. Kindness is not innate; it can be cultivated, as it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Gal 5:22-25, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Studies in the Sermon On The Mount.” Pages 55-56

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meekness

[3] Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, (The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers). Page 19

[4] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Studies in the Sermon On The Mount.” Page 59

Mourning, a Blessing?

                                                        MOURNING, A BLESSING?

(Words From the Mountain)

 We started a series called Words from the Mountain, based on the Sermon on the Mount. After witnessing the powerful demonstration of God's Kingdom, crowds followed Jesus. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountainside. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them these powerful, counter-cultural, and life-transforming teachings of God's Kingdom. His teaching included eight pronouncements of blessings, known as the BEATITUDES.

The Beatitudes and the rest of the teachings show how Christ followers are supposed to live in this World according to God's Kingdom principles. This past week, we examined the first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Being blessed in this verse doesn't refer to material wealth or success. The Greek word for "Blessed" means to be fully satisfied through the indwelling presence of Christ.

We will now examine the second Beatitude in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Like the first, this sets the believer apart from the rest of the World. In fact, the World would see this statement as completely foolish—"Blessed are those who mourn!" The World generally tries to avoid mourning. The overall focus of the World is on being happy and carefree, seeking maximum pleasure through any means.

People fear death, struggle with sorrow and grief, and often do not know how to mourn when someone passes away. Instead of mourning properly, we tend to focus on celebrating the person's life. What did Jesus mean by saying, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted"? Our Lord didn't say, "Blessed are those who mourn over someone's natural death, will be comforted." Instead, He referred to spiritual mourning, as we learn from the first Beatitude, that the poor in spirit are not financially poor but spiritually impoverished.

Similarly, this Beatitude isn't about our physical life and death in this World, but rather focuses mainly on our spiritual condition. Many biblical passages discuss mourning over loved ones' physical death and how the God of all comfort consoles us during our grief. In this context, God cares more about our souls. This Beatitude emphasizes mourning over the state of human souls. Is there a blessing in spiritual mourning, and what does it look like? Matthew 5:1-4

I. Mourning, a Blessing?

Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Let's take a closer look at this. In the first Beatitude, the blessedness depends on recognizing one's spiritual poverty or helplessness. In the second, the blessedness comes to those who mourn their own sins and the sins of others. First, let's examine how this personal mourning works.

In the OT, the Israelites quoted a proverb that said, "The parents eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?" Ezekiel 18:2. The sour grapes here refer to the sins of the fathers and their negative effects on future generations (Numbers 14:18). The Israelites, quoting this proverb, instead of taking personal responsibility, blamed their ancestors for their sins.

As if God were tired of hearing it, He wanted to eliminate such a flimsy excuse through the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel 18:3-4, "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die."

Let's not underestimate the devastating consequences of parents' irresponsible behaviors on their children. For instance, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes, "unfortunately, abusing drugs while pregnant can have several effects, such as fetal development, birth defects, risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and other physical and behavioral problems, such as difficulties with concentration, attention span, and general conduct."[1] Though children may face consequences because of their parents' sins, ultimately, God holds each person accountable for their own sins, and they must face eternal consequences. Therefore, we need to stop playing the blame game, as Adam and Eve did, and start taking responsibility for our own sins and repenting. In doing so, we will experience God's blessings.   

In the Bible, there are several examples of people who took responsibility for their sins and were comforted, as well as those who didn't repent and faced consequences. Consider these notable Old Testament figures: King Saul and King David. Saul was a typical example of someone from a humble background who rose to the throne of Israel and became a King.

Although he achieved significant victories for the Israelites, he was unable to conquer his inner enemies, such as anger, jealousy, fear, and revenge, nor did he repent for his own sins. Ultimately, he was rejected as king and took his own life amid a war against the Philistines. (I Sam 9-31). On the other hand, David also started humbly and, through God's providence, rose to become king of Israel at age 30, succeeding Saul. He ruled over Israel and Judah for 33 years. (II Sam 5:4-5). Still, he also struggled with his own sins, especially with Bathsheba.

When Prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of Uriah, David repented of his sin. Instead of passing the blame, he took responsibility for his own actions, saying, "I have sinned against the Lord." (II Samuel 11-12). He lamented over his sin as he wrote a Psalm, begging for God's mercy and forgiveness. Psalm 51:1-12

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

David's mourning and repentant heart earned him the reputation of being a man after God's own heart. Acts 13:22. What sins are you hiding? David knew fully well that he could not hide, so he said, "You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you." Psalm 69:5

Psalm 32:3-5, "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night, your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Pro 28:13, "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Could you hide your sins from God? He knows and sees them fully well. Therefore, before you face consequences, you mourn, repent, and plead for God's mercy. "Godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation, leaving no regret." II Corinthians 7:10

 We struggle greatly when we live with unconfessed and unrepentant sins, but through mourning and repentance, we will be blessed. The blessedness we experience is the salvation of our souls, the joy, healing, and health that come with that. This Beatitude doesn't stop at seeking our personal salvation; it also includes mourning for others through intense intercession.

II. Mourning and Interceding for the Salvation of Others.

            The scriptures have many examples of people who mourned and interceded for the salvation of others. From the beginning, God has been greatly concerned about humanity's sins. The Lord was grieved in his heart when he saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth. Gen 6:6-9. He decided to wipe out all of them, but he found one righteous man, Noah, and through him, He not only saved the creation but also the human race.

            Abraham pleaded before God for the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Gen 18:16-19. Jesus, in his high priestly prayer, prayed not only for himself and his own disciples, but also for the unsaved people in the World. John 17. He left us this mission to intercede for others' salvation.

            I Timothy 2:1-4, I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

The scriptures tell us we are to have the attitude of Christ. As the first two beatitudes call us, let's empty ourselves to be filled up by God. Let's mourn not only our own sins but also the sins of others, so that we will be comforted and the world will be a better place.

 

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[1] https://www.addictionresource.net/substance-abuse-in-families/parental-drug-use/ 5-8-2026