This past Sunday we continued our sermon series "The Beatitudes" with the second installment "Eat, Drink, and be Meek". (If you missed Sunday or want to watch the sermon again the video available here). We explored the beatitudes, to be meek and to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Matthew 5:5-6 (NRSV) ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled
When Jesus used the word meek he didn't have the same understanding as we do. Our understanding of the word meek today is grim. The majority of people, myself included, understand it to mean sad, passive, and maybe even downtrodden. In reality, when Jesus uses the word meek he means that we are to be strong and reverent, to stand up for what we believe in but not to be reactionary. He calls us to stand up with love, grace, humanity, and dignity.
Then we discussed our hunger and thirst for righteousness. Just as our body hungers and thirsts so does our soul but rather than food and water our soul's hunger and thirst for much more. Jesus tells us to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness, not to be right, not judge, but to be righteous and bring justice to the world.
This week I encourage you to remember the words of Thomas Merton “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.”
Be intentional about the opportunities in front of you to live out the beatitudes. See the people around you and let your words and action be an opportunity for them to experience the true love of Christ.
"Love, Pray, Give, & Rejoice!" Pastor Zach