There is a burning question that drives most of our behavior. That question is simply this: How Can I be Happy? We do all sorts of crazy things in search of that thing that will satisfy our “happiness”. Let’s take two people, from different backgrounds, different families, and different ages. Bonquisha from Hanaville and Sha’nene from Fort Sara are their names. Even with all of their differences, they have found themselves on the same path, although one has gone farther on that path than the other one, it leads to the same place: disappointment.
Considering the fact that I am one that likes to bring the Word of God into EVERYTHING, I shall do so shortly. Before I get to the meat of the Word, I have to lay some foundation. Jesus’ first sermon was called the Sermon on the Mount. The first part of His first sermon was called the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). The Beatitudes were an answer to the aforementioned question about happiness. It was also an “In Your Face” confrontation to a way of living that put one person above others for one reason or another. It also will help us to understand the context of who Jesus was talking to. Yes, they were Jews, but they were Jews that were slaves to the Roman Empire. That being said, LET’S DO THIS!!!
There are 9 times that Jesus uses the word “Blessed”. The problem is that it’s kind of a poor translation. In the Hebrew version of Matthew, the word used is Asher or Asheri. This is a word that means happiness as a result of right decision making. Ever heard someone say, “We have been so blessed since we started being generous.” That is right decision making. Yes, God can come in and bless you just because, but that’s something different.
Let’s look at one of my favorites. Matthew 5:9 Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Essentially what Jesus is saying is you’ll be known as His people if you promote peace. That also lends itself to another statement that Jesus made later. Matthew 5:39 Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other one to them also. Now this does not mean you let people beat on you continually. Back in that time, in that culture, everybody had two hands, I know, that’s deep revelation that everyone had 2 hands. Anyway, nobody wanted to be at the left hand. The left hand was considered dirty, mainly because they didn’t have toilet paper. If I wanted to challenge someone that I considered as socially equal, I would strike them with my right hand. However, if I wanted to challenge someone that I considered less than me, I would slap them with my left. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, which hand would they be using: the left. Basically, what Jesus is saying is, make them slap the other side, make them call you equal to them. It is also saying that they are not allowed to address you unless they do it with respect. A Roman soldier would have died before they would have considered calling a Jew equal to them. Set non-violent boundaries with people. If they violate those boundaries, they have lost their place close to you. Essentially, they do not respect you to begin with.
This leads me to the point that fundamentally changed my life, forever. Here in the Beatitudes, Jesus is NOT saying if you’re not humble, merciful, a peacemaker, etc. then God doesn’t love you. He is saying that if you do make these things a part of you, then you will live the best kind of life. You will be granted/denied the best kind of life based on your decision making. Its not about God loving you more or loving you less. I’ll give you an example. Leviticus 18 says all sorts of people that you should not have sex with. Most of the people mentioned are FAMILY MEMBERS! Then it goes on to say not to throw your children in fire in sacrifice to Molech. Wow, what incredible revelation to not throw your children in fire and have sex with your family members. In Exodus 20, He says don’t lie, steal, kill. Let’s be real, if you do those things; no one will trust you, you will become known as a thief, and people will be scared for their life every time you come around. You will lose true friends VERY QUICKLY!
At this point I sincerely hope that you have gained a new perspective on the commands that God gave to the Israelites after they came out of Egypt. Keep in mind that He did all the wonderful things that He did for them before they kept the Law. They didn’t even know what they Law was. They were still living the life that they lived in Egypt. That’s why God had to say such crazy things that I mentioned earlier. He wants you TO BE HAPPY! Peter wrote, Beloved I would that you prosper even as your soul prospers. Paul wrote that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. So why do we think that it’s more holy to live debased and beaten down. I call bull crap on any theological system that encourages that.
I bless you today to know that you serve a God that believes in you more than you believe in yourself. He believes in you so much so, that he was willing to die for you, even before you accepted Him. He gave us the blueprint for the best kind of life in His Word. It’s not easy to pull off, but He’s just happy with you giving it a go with the right heart. The good news about people like Bonquisha and Sha’nene, is that even if they build their life around things that lead them to darkness, Jesus is always there to rip it down and help them build it back on the Rock. He is there for you to do exactly the same.
Grace and Peace be with you Always.
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