Benediction

University Presbyterian Church just started a new sermon series on Matthew 5-7 titled, The Savior on the Mount. We started off with The Beatitudes today. 

³      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.

I was completely struck by our pastor's different reading of this passage. Instead of seeing these as a list of virtues that we need to achieve. They can be seen as contexts for where God meets us. He's there when we are spiritually low. He's there when we are heartbroken. He there's when we feel small. He's there when we yearn for a level of righteousness we cannot attain. He's there when we are surrounded my tragedy. He's there when we are yearning for more. He's there when we are faced with conflict. He's there when we are set apart in a world with no hope.

Instead of ending with a benediction, Jesus begins his sermon with one. He begins with a blessing. And he meets us where we are.

I took comfort in that today.