Blessed are you....but not off the hook.

Just beyond the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, near Tabgha, sits a beautiful church surrounded by gardens and mosaics, a rememberance of the Mount of Beatitudes.  The hillside overlooks the Sea, the valley and mountains around it.  While it's not likely that this was the exact location of Jesus' teachings, standing atop it you get a sense of what His view would have been, how full His words would have been against the backdrop of scenery around Him. 

 

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 Sons 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.

I had never made the connection before I stood on that hilltop, reading through Jesus' words at Matthew 5, that the passage directly following this one is about being salt and light.  You know the one..."You are the salt of earth...you are the light of world."  I had always regarded the two passages as separate teachings.  First the Beatitudes, then the salt and light.  I had never read them together. 

At this point in Jesus' ministry the realities of what lies ahead are very clear to Him, and what lies ahead for His followers.  Here He invites those who will listen to embrace their lives in a new sort of way.  He is offering them something more than just what this world has to offer, something beyond the sorrows and struggles of earth.  He is blessing them in their humanness in a way that Rome does not. 

But He does not just leave it there.  Because blessed as we may be, we are not off the hook.

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Despite your spirit, your mourning, your meekness.  Despite hunger and persecution.  With all the mercy, peace and purity of your soul.  You have a job to do.

Just imagine that!  In the cradle of the valley, in the heartland of God's promised people, hearing that God's purpose for you extends beyond the limitations this world puts on us.  That the life He truly wants most for you not only blesses you beyond these limitations, but sets you up to be a blessing to others as well.  It's a message as pertinent today as it was then.

As I picture Jesus seated on the mountain, teaching those who stood around Him, I know that these passages were not meant to stand on their own.  As much as we need to know that God is in control, that we do not struggle in vain, we also need to know how important our lives are in His Kingdom.  May you feel His blessings today, friends.  And may others feel Him through you. 

XOXO...Kelly