Honesty Ends Suffering

“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.” Matthew 5:3-6

How can a poor spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger, and thirst bless our lives? Jesus’ blessings seem to be counter-intuitive. Does Jesus really mean what he’s saying?

What if a problem we face in life is being numb? We can’t feel the highs or the lows of life because we are disconnected from what matters to God. What if all the busyness, convenience, over stimulation, worrying, entertainment, and individualism of life makes us numb to our self, others, and to God?

How will feeling and connection return to a numb life? Here is the honesty of Jesus’ beatitudes. The poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst are honest about their desperation for God’s help. The illusion of self-sufficiency is exposed as a lie. Once we surrender our broken lives to the grace and love of God to help, provide, and heal us, our suffering begins to end, we experience the kingdom of heaven, we are comforted, we inherit the earth, and we are filled.

The cross and resurrection is Jesus putting this honesty into action. On the cross, Jesus bleeding body is honest with us about the suffering our sin causes. When God raised Jesus from the dead, the suffering of sin, death, and evil is ended forever and everlasting life begins.

Reflect on your life today. What makes your spirit poor? What does your heart mourn? How do you feel meek? What emptiness leaves you hungry and thirsty?

May the grace and honesty of Christ free you to face your suffering with hope. The good news of Jesus Christ assures us that suffering begins to end once it is faced with honesty and hope.

God of all truth, help me to speak the truth, even when my voice is shaking. Amen

-Pastor Eric Bostrom