Listen
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his
disciples came to him. Then he began to
speak, and taught them, saying: “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 receive 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 for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are you when people
revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same
way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:1-12, NRSV).
Discern
In
his sermon, Tim Stamper challenged the traditional notion of what it means to
be “pure in heart.” Purity is a popular
topic, especially among Christians. However,
this is not just talking about sexual purity.
As NT scholar Robert Mounce notes, “The primary reference is not to
sexual purity, although this is mentioned in 5:28, but to single-mindedness. .
.”[1] James talks about this. He says that the person who is not pure in
heart is “double-minded” and “unstable in every way” and should “not expect to
receive anything from the Lord” (1:8). It
means that we have a singular focus in life—God. Tim pointed to the criticism that Jesus
leveled against the religious leaders a little later. Jesus challenged his disciples to strive for
righteousness that “exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees” (Matthew
5:20). But shouldn’t religious leaders
be emulated? Yes, unless they are living
hypocritically. Just before his execution,
Jesus slammed the religious leaders as “whitewashed tombs,” burial chambers
that are beautifully ornate on the outside yet are full of rotting bones and
the stench of death on the inside (23:27-28).
The religious leaders were notorious for calling attention to themselves
when they prayed and mutilating their faces when they fasted (6:5, 16). These displays of “religion,” Jesus says,
receive their award in applause. However,
they “will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (5:20). Only those who are “pure in heart. . .will
see God” (5:8).
Articulate
So how do we become “pure in heart?” Bonhoeffer says that the “pure in heart” are “those
who have surrendered their hearts completely to Jesus.”[2] In some ways, we have returned to that
child-like innocence that Jesus talks about (Matthew 18:2-4). We do not look for admiration from our fellow
earth-walkers; we look for God in the hidden corners and in cloudy eyes. As Tim mentioned, the reward of being able to
see God is immediate. Sure, the “pure in
heart” will see God when time is no more.
However, when we live lives of spiritual purity, we will see God all
around us because we live with a “kingdom perspective.” We see the world as God sees it, and for that
we are blessed.
Approach
- Read Psalm 24. Pray these words before you attend your next worship service. How did this experience help prepare you for worship?
- Think about all the stuff you see each day. Bonhoeffer says that the “pure in heart” are not immune from seeing sin and evil in the world, yet they are “free” from the intoxicating effects of sin. What is one area of your life that you need to develop a more attuned “kingdom perspective?” Where do you need God to refine your spiritual vision so that you can become “pure in heart?”
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