Who are True Saints?
All Saints Day, November 2007
Pastor Mark Jasa
Matthew 5:1-12
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others 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 so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
We talk about saints a lot in the church... but what exactly is a saint? And what does it take to be one? We've all said something like... She's such a saint! But what are we really saying here? That a person is really nice... really good, kind, gentle. Is this what the Bible means when people are called Saints? Not at all. Think of Paul writing to the Corinthians: "To the saints in Corinth" And you think, "Saints? In Corinth...? you have someone sleeping with his mother-in-law!" That would be like walking into the spearmint rhino or the gentleman's club just over on Pico on and saying, greeting to the Saints in west LA! Needless to say, you can imagine the looks you'd get.
So what exactly is a Saint, according to the Bible? A saint or holy one is one who is sanctified. Someone who is set apart by God. You were here... and now you're over here. What does the life of a saint look like? In our Gospel reading today, Jesus recites the "Beatitudes," qualities of those who are blessed to be saints. Now this is a section of Scripture that is often twisted and misunderstood to lead us to despair. So let us proceed with caution. We have the insatiable desire to put ourselves at the center of scripture, and always make it about us. This is our way of breaking the first commandment even as we read the word of God. If we only see the Beatitudes as a list of rules that we ought to follow, hopelessness will be the end result. But if you see them in light of our Savior, then, you will appreciate his perfect life lived in your place.
The Beatitudes are helpful in exposing something fundamental to our fallen nature. Human Optimism. Here's an example. I heard that 85% of all drivers in America consider themselves "above-average" drivers. Of course, this can't be true, especially in LA County! And according to Progressive Insurance only about 25% of our drivers really are above average. People generally view themselves as better than others. And as long as I'm better than you, that's good enough for me. This same attitude is carried over into our faith, and it becomes apparent in how these Beatitudes are taught. Often you'll hear, "The message of the Beatitudes is that, if I do these things well enough, then I will be happy. If I am good enough at these things, then I will be blessed." It's a human standard of measure: "If I am better than average at this, then I'm in good shape." But let's be honest. The Beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are those who try?" or "Blessed are those who are above average?" So let's take a listen and see how our lives measure up to what Jesus says the Saints are like. Let's take a look at the Beatitudes, to see if we are 'good enough' at keeping them. Jesus declares, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Now, meekness is power under control. Strength, reserved. One who is meek uses his power, authority, position and skills in service to others, not himself. So, are you meek? Do you use your power, position and talents in service to others? More specifically, how do you treat your family? Do you live as a servant to them, considering their matters to be more important than your own? Is there ever a time when you lose your temper or want some time just for yourself? Are you a meek-enough servant to your parents? Meekness has to do with how you handle your resources. Do you use what you have in service to others? Could you give away more, how about a tenth, that's what a tithe is. Do you really need to purchase such nice things for yourself, when you could give away more? Could you live with less than you do? We could go on asking more questions along these lines. But we begin to feel uncomfortable, we see something in ourselves we don't like. Our selfishness. And when we are questioned by others, we get defensive, our sinful nature responds, "Sure, I could do better, but I am more meek than he is." But here's the thing: Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek." He doesn't say, "Blessed are those who believe that they're meek enough." When He calls for meekness, He calls for perfect meekness; it is not *your *measure that matters, but the measure of God. To believe that we are meek enough, according to God's standards, is arrogance and pride, the very opposite of meekness!
Jesus declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." To hunger and thirst for righteousness, is earnestly to desire the things of God; holiness, and faith. And those who hunger and thirst will seize every opportunity to be fed, this is especially true with the sacraments. If you take a survey, people will give a variety of answers on what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Some will say it's enough to attend service on Christmas and Easter. Others will hold out for four times a year. Some will say that every-Sunday attendance indicates an earnest desire, while yet others will add midweek services and top floor. And what about Bible study and private confession and absolution? What about that? And what about hunger and thirst outside of worship-do you have daily devotions? Do you devote enough time to Scripture and prayer? Have you memorized enough Scripture verses in your hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Once again, the response of the sinner is to say, "I hunger and thirst for righteousness. I feel I do enough because I'm satisfied with my efforts." But Jesus does not say, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst by their own standards." He offers no qualifiers. To believe that we hunger and thirst enough for righteousness is to practice unrighteousness. It is arrogance and pride. This is tough, huh? While we're at it, I don't measure up in any of these areas. I don't give enough of my time talents resources, I don't pray enough, read the bible enough and I am certainly not humble enough.
So for all of us, One more thing we ought to do. Jesus declares, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." To see God is a privilege of the saints, who will see Him in glory for eternity. Of course, to be pure in heart, you have no thoughts of lust or covetousness. You are perfectly satisfied with the things that you have, perfectly trusting when trials arise. You are not affected by prejudice, nor would you ever indulge in gossip or grudge-bearing. I don't know anybody either Christian or non-Christian, who claims to have a heart that is absolutely pure; it's impossible. We've even got an excuse for this. "I'm only human, and besides, I'm not as bad some people." A seductive line isn't it? But listen once again to the Beatitude: "Blessed are the pure in heart," says Jesus. He does not say, "Blessed are the purer in heart." If we say or believe that we are pure in heart-or even pure enough in heart, we give solid proof that our hearts are far from pure. Remember where we started with the Beatitudes, with the popular teaching that "If you do these things, then you will be blessed and happy." This is a dangerous teaching, because you must do these things perfectly, all the time, to earn the blessing and enjoy the happiness. Once you examine what these Beatitudes really require, you're far more likely to weep. They promise blessing if I do them, but I can't do them. They're more than I'm able to do. Enough of the Beatitudes! And if this is what you cry out, then blessed are you. Blessed are you because, by the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, you have made an honest confession of your sin. You have examined yourself in the mirror of God's Law, and you have seen that you cannot live up to it. If it is up to you to be meek merciful and pure, you are without hope. Amen. This is most certainly true. You now agree with the Law of God that you can do nothing to please Him or earn your salvation. You are prepared to hear about the One who has saved you, who showers His grace upon you, who lived the Beatitudes perfectly because you could not.
It is always an attractive temptation to proclaim these Beatitudes as if they are something within your power. It is tempting to urge you simply to be meek and humble, merciful and peaceful, promising that you will be happy if you do these things well enough. But if that is what I tell you, then I do you a grave disservice. I direct you right back to yourself as the favorite object of study, instead of directing you to look at Christ and His Cross as the only thing that will save you. So, enough of the Beatitudes!
At least, enough of this idea that we can become happy and blessed if we do these things well enough, for it will never be.
I pray to God that we agree with His Law and make this blessed confession: "I, am a poor miserable sinner, I justly deserve your temporal and eternal punishment." This confession means that we're ready to hear about the one who was blessed. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!* *How did he bless others? He did not bless by doing away with the Law, but by fulfilling it, every single last painful bit of it. Though we cannot fulfill the requirements of these Beatitudes, we don't forget about them. We need to be aware of our sin. And once that is accomplished, these Beatitudes give us the opportunity to rejoice in Jesus, because He has kept these Beatitudes perfectly, for you and for me. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,". No one has been poor enough in spirit, except Jesus. Marvel at this unending humility during our Savior's journey from birth to cross. If He had sat on a throne and demanded to be served, He would only have asked for what He deserved. But Jesus Christ did not come to be served, but to serve-and to give His life as a ransom for many. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, forgave the sinner, and raised the dead. He served His own flesh and blood as heavenly food and drink for your life and salvation. He was poor in spirit, so that we will have the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Jesus mourned. He wept for Lazarus when he died. He mourned over Jerusalem, that her inhabitants would not repent. He mourned the death of His creation because of sin, and so He paid the price for all sin on the cross so that our mourning will turn to dancing. Jesus did more than mourn; He saved us from eternal mourning. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Remember, meekness is power under control, used in service to others. From his birth he served us in humility. As Ricky bobby reminds us in his prayer. "Dear, 8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, you don't even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent," that is true. Jesus did not use His power to serve Himself but to serve others-He cured diseases, multiplied bread and fish, and cast out demons. When beaten and spat upon by sinners, He did not obliterate them with a word, but meekly, the all-powerful Son of God allowed Himself to be crucified. He was meek, so that you will be delivered to the new heaven and the new earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Remember the Temptation of Christ? In the wilderness Jesus suffered hunger rather than listen to the devil's temptations to turn stones into bread. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Christ the living Word of God, lived on God's Word. Every prophecy uttered was fulfilled, every promise made was kept in Christ.
He is the embodiment of God's righteousness, which he turns and gives to you. He hungered enough for your righteousness in His life and in His death, so that you will be filled with forgiveness. Remember the words from His parched lips before his death, "I thirst." He has thirsted and died on that cross enough, so that you will be filled. Your cup runneth over. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy." To be merciful is to withhold punishment from an evildoer. Jesus did not destroy those who arrested Him, cursed Him, crucified and mocked Him. He could have. Instead of giving them what they deserved, He spared them and died for them. He is God's true mercy, so He will give mercy to you forever. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Hebrews 4:15 declares, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Jesus was perfectly pure in heart,* and* can sympathize with us. He gives us permission to go before His throne of grace with confidence. Jesus has been pure in heart so you will see God in glory forever. The veil has been removed. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Jesus is the peacemaker. He made peace between man and God by breaking down the wall between the two (Eph. 2:14). Through Him we have peace with God because we are now sons and daughters of God and heirs of heaven. His Kingdom He gives to you, His victory over sin and death are already yours.
When we saw what we had to do to fulfill the Beatitudes, we saw we couldn't do it-not even close. "Enough of the Beatitudes! We cried." They show us how deep and infectious our sin is. But look what happens when we look at the Beatitudes in the light of Christ: Now you see your salvation! He has fulfilled the Beatitudes. He has done these things perfectly, and He has done them for you. A great exchange has taken place: Jesus has taken away your sins at the cross-He has suffered God's wrath for your failures to be poor in spirit, meek, merciful and all the rest. But in taking away your sins, He also gives you something in return, the credit for His obedience-for His keeping of the Beatitudes. Because He has done this, God the Father looks upon you and says, "Welcome good and faithful servant."
When God looks at you, He sees one who is poor in spirit, meek, and earnest for righteousness - holy. How odd it seems at first: We do not become holy because of how well we fulfill the Beatitudes. Rather, we are declared holy, seen as righteous because of Christ. What does it take to be a saint? To be set apart. You have been set apart by God. And so you are holy-not by your work, or your trying for it is never enough, but by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. His blood marks you as one set apart. Your baptism marks you as a holy child of God, a saint. Jesus has done the work and paid the price, It is finished. He has declared you holy. Therefore, dear hearers in Christ, blessed are you, His saints: Because you are forgiven for all of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.