Parkwood Baptist Church

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5)

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.  Let it be to me according to your word.” – Mary (Luke 1:38)

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed…He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate…” – Mary (Luke 1:46-52)

In order to better understand the “meekness” described in this beattitude and the humility that is a part of it, we have looked at several examples in the Scriptures.  The witness of Moses (known as the meekest man that ever lived) was that meekness does not mean weakness.  Of course, Jesus was the ultimate example of the power and necessity of meekness in the life of love and sacrifice.  The examples of a powerful leader (Naaman) and a rich young man revealed to us the difficulties that position and worldly wealth bring in living a life of humility.  Now  there is one more example that we will look at during our meditation of this subject.  She was a young lady in a village in Nazareth named Mary.

When God chose her to be the way He would come into this world she responded with, I believe, one of the clearest examples of meekness and humility in all of Scripture.  Recognizing that we are the “Lord’s servant” is the beginning of understanding meekness.  It is followed by a choice to yield to the will of another.  To be willing to set aside everything in submission to God’s direction for the good of the Kingdom.  Her humble attitude made her to be the perfect vessel to experience the blessing of being a part of God’s plan to redeem the world.

Her heart is further revealed in her song she sings when visiting her cousin Elizabeth.  Her life has been turned upside down and she is “all in”.  She is rejoicing…referring to herself as blessed.  Then she shares with us what she has learned about God’s favor to the humble and opposition to the proud.  Yes, we have a lot to learn from this young peasant girl from Galilee.

Open your Bible and read the story and song of Mary (Luke 1:26-55).  Do you see the courage and faith revealed in her humility?  Her love for God is illustrated in meekness.  Can you respond to God’s call on your life today with that kind of spirit?

“Let it be to me according to your word”

Who holds sway over your life today?  You cannot serve two masters.  Simplifying your life starts here…only serving one God…following His direction alone…wholeheartedly devoted to His will.

“Blessed are the meek…”

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5)

“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man…but he was a leper.” (2 Kings 5:1)

“And as He (Jesus) was setting ot on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'” (Mark 10:17)

Earlier in our journey we looked at the story of the poor widow who, although poor, gave all that she had out of her poverty.  Needless to say that this was an illustration of sacrifice and humbling oneself before the Lord, but for most of us, this story is not very practical.  It is hard to relate to the widows’ life situation…to put ourselves in her shoes.  Why?  She had very little to begin with.  She was already humbled by  her circumstances.  We, on the other hand,  are a long way from having nothing.  We are practically drowning in our material possessions and our time is much too valuable to concern ourselves with such matters.

So today we look at two people in the Bible that share a position in life more common to ours and their struggle with “meekness”.  The first is a story  about a man named Naaman in 2 Kings 5.  He has a problem…leprosy.  He seeks out the prophet Elisha who he has heard can heal him.  When Naaman arrives at the home of Elisha, Elisha sends out a servant who tells Naaman to wash in the Jordan river 7 times.  Naaman, full of himself, is offended that Elisha did not come out and wave a magic wand and make a big deal out of it.  He considered this request beneath him so he refused to do it.

The second story is about a rich young ruler in Mark 10.  He is seeking eternal life.  He comes to Jesus who he heard could give him answers.  After a short conversation Jesus discovers that the man is held captive by his many possessions and tells him that he must sell all he has and then…”follow me”.  This was not something the young man wanted to do.  He refused.

One distracted by the pride of his great position and career, the other distracted by the things he had accumulated.  Both had a choice to humble themselves and submit to God’s direction or to hang on to their pride and possessions.  Both resisted by the stories ended differently.  One chose wisely…one did not.

Naaman was brought to his senses by one of his own servants and repented (changed his mind) of his arrogance.  He washed in the Jordan and was healed…inside and out.  The rich young man was “grieved” and walked away…choosing his riches over a commitment to Jesus.

Now these stories are more applicable to us today.  Most of us enjoy a comfortable position in life and have more than enough material possessions.  Neither of these things is bad…unless…unless it comes between you and humbling yourself before the Lord.  When it causes us to second guess direction from Jesus…when it becomes a barracade in our pursuit of a selfless life that can only be described by  “meekness”.

Today is a day of evaluation.  What is in your life that you are unwilling to give up to follow Jesus more fully?  What is sharing your allegience to the Lord?  Humble yourself before Him today and lay it all on the altar.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1,2)

Today is our second “rest” on this lenten journey.  We have completed the first 10 days.  We are one fourth of the way and it is time for a spiritual picnic.  So, lets pack a lunch and follow the Good Shepherd to a green pasture.  David’s words in this beloved Psalm have been bringing comfort and rest to the weary and hurting for thousands of years.  Will you go to that place today?  You know the one I’m talking about?  The one by the still waters.  The one where a person can lie down in the green grass and He will restore your soul.  A place where we can get away from the hurried pace of our lives and take a deep breath.

I love that place.  I don’t get there as often as I would like…as often as I should.  Even though Jesus invites us to come there at least once a week.  That has been His design for you since He created you…actually since the beginning of it all.  He knows how badly we need it and He wants to provide it if we will let Him.  But we are so busy.

Sometimes it is hard to wind down.  These days weekends are anything but rest and relaxation.  Many of us start Mondays as tired as we were on Friday.  What happened?  A lot happened.  Too much probably.  Somebody stop this train!  “Is there a rest stop coming up soon?”  People this is not right.  We were not created to live like this.  We were designed for abundant life!  You cannot experience that, however, if you do not have a regular rest…a spiritual pause…a time to reflect and know that we depend on God.  We have a God who works 24/7 so you can take a break!  So go ahead…step back…there is a picnic waiting for you.  Don’t worry…He’s got this.

TRUTH:  Working without regular rest is as sinful as resting without ever working.

Do you need restoration?  A major part of simplifying our lives is the discipline of regular Sabbath.  This is more than rest.  It is checking yourself into the rehab center of the Holy Spirit and allowing the Heavenly Father to restore your soul.  A picnic so to speak.  What do you have to say “no” to today so you can go on this spiritual outing with your Lord?

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper.  He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist.  Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel around Him.” (John 13:3-5)

A few hours before Jesus was arrested He met in an upper room with His closest disciples.  As that meeting began Jesus gave a powerful object lesson.  Without saying a word He took a towel and a basin and He washed the disciples’ feet.  It must have been a shock to the disciples as their Master and Lord got down on the floor and took each of their dirty feet into His hands and washed them.  It was normally the task of a servant.  It was an act of humility.  It was a visual demonstration of “meekness”.

We must be reminded again that to be meek is not to be weak.  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  Only those who are sure of who they are or, more accurately, whose they are can truly be meek.  In the verses leading up to this selfless act we are given some insight into the assurance that motivated and empowered Jesus.  The Scriptures tell us that because he knew where He had come from and He knew where He was going He took a towel.  That is why to be meek is the third beatitude and not the first.  We have to know who we are and who God is before we can truly be meek.  Jesus knew who He was and, therefore, He had nothing to prove…no ego to protect…no protocol to preserve.  With confidence and power He illustrated to the disciples what you can do when you are secure in the arms of the Everlasting God…the Good Shepherd…the loving Father.

The defining characteristic of “meekness” is the deliberate choice to put the needs of others ahead of yourself.  But, that can only genuinely happen if we have an accurate view of ourselves.  The first two beattitudes helped us gain that perspective.  We recognized that we are sinners and are in desperate need of a savior (poor in spirit).  We come to God broken and “mourn” with Him over our sinful condition and that of the world around us and we accept His mercy, grace and comfort.  Therefore, because of His great unfailing love toward us we can love others selflessly.  We can love because we are loved.  We can serve because we are served.  We can be “meek” because we know that all the good in us comes from God and not ourselves.  We have nothing to boast about except the love of God that has redeemed us and given us life.  Only those who have experienced the poverty and humility of the cross can express the meekness of the cross.

Today, do you know who you are?  Do you know whose you are?  If you do, take a towel and wash the feet of those around you.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

“He was opposed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

“Put your sword back into its place.  For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” – Jesus (Matthew 26:52,53)

“…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

This third beattitude can easily be misunderstood.  In today’s language the word “meek” is associated with “weakness”.  A meek person is seen as a doormat…someone who is powerless or lacks the courage to stand up for themselves.  This word in the Scripture is not that at all.  One of the greatest leaders in the Bible, Moses, was described as the meekest man on the earth (Numbers 12:3).  The word used here is also translated as “humble” or “gentle” or “selfless”.   It more accurately is the character trait of humilty that willingly puts aside one’s power or right for the good of another.  So, it is actually a strength not a weakness.

Jesus, of course, exhibited this as He went to the cross for us.  He chose to endure the shame and the humiliation for our sake…on our behalf.  The Prophet Isaiah describes the Messiah as a lamb being led to the slaughter, but He does not resist.  Jesus reminded His own disciples in the garden that he had the power to end this if He chose.  “He could have called ten thousand angels” we sing.  But, He didn’t.

Paul describes the meekness of Jesus in the verses of Philippians 2, “…obedient to the point of death”.  The meekness that Jesus talks about here in the Sermon on the Mount is the same meekness He demonstrated when He went to the cross and it is the same meekness He calls us to live out as His disciples.

It doesn’t take much to connect humility to the cross of Jesus.   The cross was designed by the Romans specifically for the purpose of humiliaton and shame.  It was not only a slow and cruel death…it was a public display.  Crucifixion was seen by everyone.  There was no “crucifixion facility” where family and close friends were witness to the excecution.  It was done on the roadside near the entrance of the city…preferrably on an elevated hill.  The reason for such an R-rated public scene was simple…humiliation and shame.

But Jesus, in His “meekness”, powerfully endured the that humiliation for us.  The writer of Hebrews says, “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame…” (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus was beaten and paraded through the streets to a hillside near an entrance to the city.   There He was nailed to a cross and taunted by His own people.  How did He do it?  He could have ended it but He didn’t.

There is a certain strength to “meekness”.   When you are certain about who you are and you are sure about what you are doing there is a strength that allows you to put the needs of others ahead of your own.  It frees you from the need to prove to everyone how great you are.

Today, think about what Jesus did for you at the cross.  This powerful act of “meekness” has made a way for you to experience His grace today.  What ways can you demonstrate meekness today?

“Blessed are the meek…”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4)

A History of Grief

In the beginning…

“You may surely eat from every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)

We were never intended to stand around the grave of a loved one and say good bye.  Death and grief were not in the original blueprints of this world.  However, Scripture tells us that in the beginning when we strayed from the design of God and rebelled against His direction, sin entered…and sin brings death…and death brings grief.

But…

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Our Father and Creator was grieved over a lost relationship that was never intended to be broken.  His love for us and desire for a restoration of that communion motivated Him to send His Son to give His life for us.  To take away the finality of death and bring comfort and hope into our mourning.

Jesus said…

“I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25)

He did not say that there would be no more physical death.  In fact, He was at a funeral when He said this!  But Jesus was saying that death is no longer the end.  resurrection is possible.  Eternity can be recaptured!

And now…

“Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?…But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)

This changes everything.  Our fears of dying and our grief over those who have already passed can find “comfort” in Him.

Therefore…

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again…” (1 Thessalonians 4:13,14)

Yesterday I did something I was never intended to do.  I stood at the graveside of my mother-in-law with family and laid her earthly body to rest.  But, you need to know that because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we do not grieve like those who do not believe.  Paul told the Thessalonians that they are people of hope because of the cross and the empty tomb!  O, church, we will experience grief.  Each of us will experience the loss of a dear friend or family member that will drag us into the dark hallway called death where loneliness and sorrow seem to reign.  As long as we are on this earth, we will continue to come face to face with it.  But, Paul’s exhortation to this young church was that we must not grieve like those with no hope.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shsall be comforted”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me.” – Jesus (Matthew 26:38)

Over the last week we have come to understand that to be “poor in spirit” involves the emptying of the self.  It involves the death of the rebellious attitudes of  self preservation and self reliance.  This death does not come without a sense of loss.  The loss of something that we have held dear for so long can be devestating.  Even though it is necessary there is still a sense of grief that comes with it…a spiritual mourning.

So, it makes sense that Jesus follows the first beattitude, which calls us to die to ourselves, with a beattitude that offers the comfort needed as we “mourn” our condition.  He is saying, “Yes, I know that it hurts, but I will comfort you through this.”

You see, Jesus understands mourning.  He knows grief first hand.  He can relate to the sorrow we experience when we feel isolated from God.  When we resolve to follow His will no matter the consequences.  When putting our personal agendas aside for the good of the Kingdom brings a holy sorrow.  He knows this kind of sorrow because He experienced it on the cross.

The cross not only carried poverty with it; it carried grief.  Jesus describes His sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane just moments before His arrest that night.  He spoke these words in the Scripture above and then fell on His face and prayed the agonizing prayer we know so well…”not my will, but Thine be done”.  The cross reveals to us the broken heart of our loving Father.  The God who poured Himself out for us…became “poor” for us that we might become rich.  Yes, He knows how hard it is to “present ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).

But, He also knows the blessedness of being “poor in spirit” and the blessing of being “comforted” when we are mourning.  How could the negative experiences of these first two beattitudes be considered a blessing?

Throughout the Bible this is the kind of brokeness that invites the presence of God into our lives.  It is not all the religious rituals or our constant efforts to please a demanding diety.  King David said it like this,

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

Maybe you are hurting today.  Maybe you are experiencing a certain brokeness…a mourning as you are realizing your spiritual poverty before the Almighty God who created you.  Take heart… “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted”.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 5:3)

“And Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.'” (Matthew 19:23)

“And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which made a penny.  And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'” (Mark 12:42-44)

Being “poor in spirit” is not talking about physical riches or material possessions.  As we all know, there are plenty of people that would be described as poor who are not spiritually inclined at all.  Also, there are those who are materially rich, but they are true ambassadors of the Gospel of the Kingdom.  Throughout the Scriptures spiritual poverty is not measured by the amount of your possessions but by how we view them.  Your wealth or lack of it does not determine your personal preparation for the Kingdom.  However, as Jesus said above, our wealth and overabundance in every area of our lives can make things difficult.

Our material possessions tend to consume our time and energy.  That is why, many times, becoming “poor in spirit” begins with simplifying our lives…a voluntary sacrifice…a cleaning out…a stepping back from the clutter that has become our lives.  Spiritual poverty is a matter of perspective.  All that we have is the Lord’s, whether rich or poor, like the widow.  To be “poor in spirit” is to lay it all  on the altar for His glory.  To be willing to give it all up…hold nothing back…emptying ourselves…becoming nothing for His sake.  This is spiritual poverty.  Only then will we be ready for the Kingdom of God.

So, to begin simplifying your life, you need to evaluate your perspective of the “things” that you have.  Is it all available to God?  It is all His anyway and we must hold it loosely.  Kingdom minded people are generous people.

How about your time…your schedule?  Is it all available to God?  He has ordained each day and has created you to bring glory to His name.  Jesus said He came that you might have life abundantly (John 10:10).  Kingdom minded people live life to the fullest!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3)

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John the Baptist (John 3:30)

As we continue on this Lenten journey through the beattitudes we must continue to examine the first one…the blessedness of the poverty of the spirit.  I believe that Jesus gives these in an order of priority.  In other words, the first beattitude must be understood before the second and so on.  Therefore it is important that we gain a solid understanding of what it means to be “poor in spirit”.  What is spiritual poverty?  The Scripture tells us that we are all sinners and that there is nothing good in us.  We are sinners who are “dead” in our tresspasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1ff).  We cannot save ourselves anymore than a dead person can help themselves.  Jesus is telling us that entering the kingdom of God begins with recognizing that we are helpless and cannot acheive the salvation we desire without Him.  This is the spiritual poverty that Jesus was talking about.  It is the realization that we have nothing within us that would make us worthy of so great a redemption.  We have nothing to offer that could purchase our place in heaven.  We must realize that when it comes to the currency of righteousness…we are broke.

Paul said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no man can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Only when we come before God with nothing can we experience the transforming power of the Lord in our lives.  We must empty ourselves before we can be filled.   Only then will the kingdom of God be ours.  Only when we come to Jesus and say, “I have nothing to offer you except myself.  I cannot do anything without you”.  This is the poverty of the spirit.

Jesus said, “If anyone wold come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23,24)

John the Baptist had the right idea when he was asked how he felt about the success of Jesus.  John knew that the process of salvation could only begin if he decreased.

Today, come to the Lord recognizing who you are…a spiritual pauper and submit to Him.  Only then can you receive the riches of His mercy and grace.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.  On it you shall not do any work, work, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.” (Exodus 20:8-10)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”                                  – Jesus (Matt. 11:28)

The Lenten season is 40 days and 6 Sabbath days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.  The Sabbath days were not counted because The Lord’s day was top priority.  It was a rhythm established by God the Creator in the very beginning.  Everything and everyone needs time to rest.  But the Sabbath was and is much more than that.  It is about declaring trust and keeping focus.  It allows us a moment, on a regular basis, to step back and remember who is God and who is not.  It is not just for the pleasure of restoration but also clarity.  It has deliberately been designed into the overall plan for each of us to STOP whatever we are doing in our busy life and remember who is in charge and why we do whatever we are doing.

This is so vitally important as we become all we were created to be.  It is one of the most repeated commands in Scripture and the only one that comes with a regular schedule of practice.  God knew that we would always have the temptation to keep on working…trying…striving…achieving…not slowing down…not stopping.

“I don’t have time!”       “Maybe later”      “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done”

God loves work and hard workers to be sure.  That is also part of the design.  Sabbath is a reminder that, in the end, it is not up to you.  It is a reminder that we are totally dependent on Him and that we can step back and know that He is God.  It is a reminder that the reason we work…the reason we live and breathe…the reason for our Lenten sacrifice is for His glory.

So, Jesus says to you today, “Come to me…and I will give you rest”