During our many hours on the road over the holidays, we listened to a radio theater production of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life. He was a theologian, a pastor, and a martyr during the time of Nazi Germany. A few years ago I read one of his more famous books,
The Cost of Discipleship, (it took me 2 years to get through it!) It is his "exposition of the Sermon on the Mount". I can't do justice in words or in my life to this first sermon spoken by Jesus. It has puzzled me and challenged me over the years. The Message paraphrase helps my understanding tremendously and I want to also share some of Bonhoeffer's thoughts on these Scriptures that we often call the Beatitudes and you can enter the wrestlings with me!
"...Jesus calls his disciples blessed...not because of their privation, or the renunciation they have made, for these are not blessed in themselves. Only the call and the promise, for the sake of which they are ready to suffer poverty and renunciation, can justify the beatitudes." (Bonhoeffer)
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. (5:3)
"In following [Christ] they lost even their own selves, and everything that could make them rich. Now they are poor - so inexperienced, so stupid, that they have no other hope but him who called them." (Bonhoeffer)
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. (5:4)
"Sorrow cannot tire them or wear them down, it cannot embitter them or cause them to break down under the strain; far from it, for they bear their sorrow in the strength of him who bears them up, who bore the whole suffering of the world upon the cross." (Bonhoeffer)
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. (5:5)
"They are determined to leave their rights to God alone... Their right is in the will of their Lord - that and no more." (Bonhoeffer)
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. (5:6)
"Not only do the followers of Jesus renounce their rights, they renounce their own righteousness too. They get no praise for their achievements or sacrifices. They cannot have righteousness except by hungering and thirsting for it." (Bonhoeffer)
There are obviously more beatitudes in this sermon, but I'll stop here. This is more to chew on than I have brain capacity at the moment. What is settling in my soul is that I must redefine blessings. Blessings are not about my circumstances or my emotional state. As a good friend has spoken, if God's blessings are real, then they must be the same for the Christian beggar in Calcutta, the starving Sudanese believer, and the comfortable suburbian who is seeking after Christ.
4 comments:
Thanks Staci. I'm challenged by your comment about redefining blessings apart from circumstances and emotions.
Also, the way Bonhoeffer described the results of sorrow as a force which doesn't embitter or cause us to break under strain, yet is borne in the strength of Christ who bore the whole suffering of the world on the cross.... Whoa! that's a serious understanding of sorrow and the fruit it can yield.
Jesus is so good and kind. And I'm so grateful to be loved, redeemed, forgiven and enjoyed by my Creator. What a gift!
Yes, definitely challenging. Lots to ponder here, Staci
It is funny that you're writing about the redefinition of blessings after I read many a Christmas letter that used the word blessed (a lot!) to describe all of the wonderful things kids had done, vacations that were taken, and new toys or awards that were acquired. I don't think a single one of them used the word as Jesus does in this chapter.
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope.
You're blessed when you feel like you've lost what's most dear to you.
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
Count yourself blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. (Tim Tebow, anyone??)
Bonhoeffer's are especially relevant in our day as God's blessings are treated like rights in most Christian community. We only feel "blessed" if God's coming through for us, on our agendas and timing, and giving us what we want or have worked so hard to acquire.
Yes, lots to think about today - how I do the same exact thing without fully realizing it.
Now, I've read the Beattitudes a lot, I'm sure. But never from for the Message...it was like reading a whole new morsel. I'm loving reading the NT this way! One of the (many) ways God is challenging and refining me right is to rethink how I view His Word. Less like a study time and more like diving into a perfectly grilled, juicing steak! That's what it felt like reading Matthew 5 and the blog this morning, Staci. And after reading your Bonhoeffer morsels, I had to brush the dust off my copy and revisit those tasty treats. Thank you for your thoughts!
The Message translation for The Beatitudes definitely provides a fresh perspective with me. Oh goodness...does anyone else struggle with the high call of these verses? I realize that ultimately, we can never fully meet these standards and that's why we need Christ (praise God!), but wow...it's really hard to swallow as a lifestyle we should aim for.
Here's a few of the verses that make me uncomfortable:
"If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it."
Really? Doesn't our culture encourage defending OUR rights and getting our own lawyer?
"And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life."
Yikes...this is an especially tough one. I have a few relationships where I often feel taken advantage. I feel like I need to have the RIGHT to tell them what I expect. But maybe...just maybe...I should be praying about how to live out a servant life to them. Yikes!
"I'm telling you to love your enemies."
Seems impossible!
"When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer..."
Okay...need to do more of that!
Finally...I love the conclusion to this chapter:
"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. (Matthew 5:40, 41, 44-46, 48 MSG)
Amen and Amen! Lord Jesus...let me live by Your Spirit and power so that I can love those around me with Your love!g
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