Epiphany 4, 2020
Matthew 5:1-12
“Are you blessed?”
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
One of the greatest singers of all time, at least in my opinion, is Bing Crosby. One of my favorite songs that he sings in the movie “White Christmas” is “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” Some of the words go like this: “When I'm worried and I can't sleep I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings. When my bankroll is getting small I think of when I had none at all and I fall asleep counting my blessings. I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads and one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds. If you're worried and you can't sleep just count your blessings instead of sheep and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.”
Count your blessings. You would think that it would be easy for people to come up with a huge list of blessings to be thankful for…but that’s often not the case. Many people in this world don’t consider themselves to be blessed and many don’t see others as being blessed. I would say that all people are blessed…but I’m sure there are those that would disagree.
The problem really begins when we start looking at our lives and the world around us. We hurt. We suffer. We worry. We doubt. Many watch loved ones suffer battling cancer. Many mourn the loss of loved ones to death. Reports show that children are suffering at increasingly higher levels of mental disorders and parents are beside themselves trying to figure out how to help them. Families and relationships get torn apart. The world seems to be on the brink of disaster. Not only the world…but our own lives. It’s hard to count or see any blessings when we see how sin has ravaged our world.
Hear again God’s Word about blessings. “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “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 children 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)
What our Gospel lesson gives us is a description of true blessedness here and now. When Jesus spoke the beatitudes, He was not telling his disciples how they could merit; how they could earn blessings from God. He was telling them what they already possessed by virtue of their God given faith. What Christ would teach us now is absolutely opposite of what the world would teach. The world teaches us to be confident in ourselves and to be bold in demanding what we think is fair but Jesus says that blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. As we come to God in utter helplessness, as we admit our sinfulness, as we reach out for God as a beggar pleads for a morsel of bread…then and only then the kingdom of God comes among us.
The world would say that the truly happy people are those who are rejoicing in their own accomplishments and achievements. But Jesus says, “blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” As we come to the foot of the cross with eyes that are moist and hearts that are breaking and knees that are weak and hands that are trembling…it is then that we find comfort. True comfort is none other than the forgiveness of sins.
The world and our sinful flesh like to tell us that we have to take care of ourselves and that it is the survival of the fittest out there and that we simply cannot let people take advantage of us. But Jesus says, blessed are the meek (who are humble before God) and blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (for they seek God in his Word and Sacraments) and blessed are the merciful (for they show mercy towards others just as Christ has shown mercy on them). They shall be inheriting the earth and they will be filled and they will be shown mercy. In her magnificat, Mary said it this way, “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich empty away.”
The world says that we will be blessed if our hearts are full of steel and strength and determination but Jesus says, blessed are the pure in heart. The world says that the blessed are the powerful and the persuasive but Jesus says, blessed are the peacemakers. The world says that the happy are those who get along with everybody and whose lives are smooth sailing. Jesus would teach us today to give up the idea that we can follow God and have smooth sailing at the same time. Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake. Blessed are those who are insulted on account of me. Blessed are you when people falsely say all kinds of evil against you because you are following Jesus Christ.
Yes, each and every one of us is truly blessed. As we were drowned and raised again in the waters of Baptism we were made God’s beloved children and heirs of life eternal in heaven. While there are days, weeks, or maybe even years that go by with nothing more than trouble and heartache…we are still blessed; blessed beyond imagination! For Christ died for you! Yes, this life may be faced with many problems but we may say by faith that we are blessed for we belong to Christ; we are heirs of His kingdom; we are saved and redeemed. And we know this is true for Christ does not fail. Christ has risen for you. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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