Continuing with the series on the orderliness of our Creator, especially in the manner of His listing of the beatitudes, today we “string together” two to five pearl-like beatitudes after already having focused upon the first “pearl”:
Disconsolation…
“Blessed are those, who mourn…” (Matt 5:4)
What is the natural response of a person deeply convicted in spirit? We do not need to go any farther than the account about the repentant “sinful” tax collector and proud “righteous” Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14) to get the answer? The contrite individual is “bound to mourn”, Shed copious tears, as it were, like the penitent Tax collector in the story before us. So no wonder, the second beatitude follows in perfect logical order “Blessed are those who mourn”. Amazing isn’t it? Say Hallelujah! Permit me to add here, everyone without any exception needs to turn with a penitent heart to the Saviour, for the Scripture declares that all of us ARE SINNERS (Romans 3:23) and not only those with a police record! Is there an “empirical formula” to discern for ourselves that we are all sinners? Let us visit Garden of Eden before the FALL and what do we see? Adam and Eve clothed in pristine holiness, going about like innocent little children (who do not bother about clothing), without even physically clothing themselves. The need for “covering their shame”, so to say, came about only after the fall. If we are all clothing ourselves physically, is that not a proof in itself about our innate fallen condition inherited “genetically” from our earthly ancestor Adam (Romans 5:12)? Even a hard-core atheist won’t walk about naked in the streets in defiance of what is written in the Bible vis-à-vis clothing in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7)!!!
I reiterate “Blessed” indeed are those who mourn in realization of their spiritual poverty for then the just God not only “clears their record” on the basis of Christ’s atoning work on the cross (Colossians 1:20-22 NLV) but also places His own “comforting” Holy Spirit (John 15:26-AB) in them, sealing them so to speak, as His own children (Eph 1:13/Romans 8:15)!
Submission…
“Blessed are those, who are meek…” (Matt 5:5)
When the Holy Spirit comes into the heart of the believer, at the point of regeneration, He brings along with Him, “HIS FRUIT” (Gal 5:22,23 KJV), which amongst others’ includes meekness. A forgiven sinner, at this stage has meekness overflowing in his heart, as the magnitude of his enormous debt to his Redeemer registers on his mind. Oh the gracious, merciful God of mine has forgiven ALL of my sins… is the line, that would be playing on his mind again and again, even as he starts taking baby steps in his new way of life, with a heart full of meekness borne of gratitude. Since the Holy Spirit is “his coach” now in the matter of Holy living, he submits himself meekly and fully to the guidance of the Divine coach.
Appetit ion…
“Blessed are those, who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” (Matt 5:5)
It is said of repentance “it makes a person allergic to what he was addicted, and addicted to what he was allergic”. All along before the redemption experience, a sinner as is his wont would have shunned Church-going, praying, Bible reading, attending cottage prayer meetings and a host of other Christian activities, now these are the very activities, which would appeal to him, as nutritious milk would to a growing infant (1 Peter 2:2-3) even as he immerses himself in them. All these would contribute to his growth process- the divine transformation into Christ-likeness (II Cor 3:18/2 Peter 1:5-7)! Say growing Christian, have you whetted your spiritual appetite in the presence of the Lord today?
Compassion…
“Blessed are the merciful…” (Matt 5:7)
Now a growing Christian drinking deeply from the fount of Holy joy (John 4:13-14) would look with mercy at the unrepentant souls, who are trekking towards a Christ less eternity. Not for him a holier than thou attitude whilst introducing Christ to them (1 Peter 3:15), for he knows too well, what kind of a sinner, he himself had been, before his regeneration. Now no Christian experiencing the joys of his new life would whine at the task of winning souls for his Lord, for talking about the saving grace of his Saviour would come as naturally to him, as speaking about a doctor who has cured him of a life-threatening disease. Honestly, you do not need a push to talk about your Road to Damascus experience. Ask Paul…
Prayer: Father, enable us to keep on co-operating with the Master trainer -the Holy Spirit-in order we keep growing into your Son’s image. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Suresh Manoharan
(To access the entire “Beauty in the Beatitudes” mini-series, please click here.)