Exalted Humanity

Pray and Read Matthew 5:43-48

Matthew 5:43–48 NRSV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Because Jesus Is Ascended, humanity has been exalted and brought into the life of God.

- Steven Seamands in “The Unseen Real”

“Because Jesus IS ascended”… present tense is used in this sentence. Jesus is still ascended to Heaven. Yet, this does not mean that we are left behind.

Jesus came to earth to live as we live, then ascended to Heaven and bridge our life to the eternal life in Heaven.

Jesus suffered like we suffer, but he also laughed and had a good time like we do. He had friends and enemies.

Our life is intertwined in His. He knows us, and wants the best for us.

He warned that those who chose to follow him would be hated and even persecuted because of their beliefs.

Since the beginning of time, God has dwelt with His people. Jesus coming to Earth put US in a face-to-face reality with our God. His Ascension then brought our relationship with Him in Heaven.

Therefore, when we experience hardships in this life, we can still look up knowing that God is with us in everything we experience.

This is our evidence to understand how God thinks of us. That He would come to us, not leave us but live in Heaven and give us His Spirit tells us that God holds all humans in high regard. To God, we all belong with Him!

Sometimes, it is easy to forget that God is truly with us. We don’t physically see Him, and when we have temptations, we wonder if He would even notice or care. When we suffer, we cry out to God and wonder if He is ever listening.

It becomes easier to think that God doesn’t care when we are so busy with the responsibilities we have on us every day.

Some of us even despise ourselves for our shortcomings and failures and wonder if God is for us or if anyone ever cares. Yet to understand that you have been created by God, and you are loved by God, then we should understand that any self-defeating thoughts are not valid or truthful and likely come from the Enemy.

The Evil One wants humans to despise themselves and hate others. Yet, we reflect on the words of Christ who says that we are to love our enemies and love those that persecute us. Love is a greater power than hate. Love changes the world!

The first Christian martyr, Stephen, said some pretty interesting things as he was being killed for his faith.

Read Acts 7:51-60

Acts 7:51–60 NRSV

51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53 You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.” 54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. 55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

He did call them some names. But he spoke some facts too. Of course they hated him for it.

But then, he exclaims for all to hear, “Look, I see Jesus standing at the right hand of God!”

God see us! As Stephen was being judged, he was amazed and put at ease by the sight of Heaven. As he was dragged to the place where he would be stoned, his eyes never left the sight of Heaven.

Then, just as Jesus did on the cross, Stephen asks God to forgive those that were killing him. And also asked God to receive his spirit which the Lord did.

Do you forgive those who have hurt you?

Do you want God to forgive those who have caused you great pain?

Do you forgive yourself when you make mistakes or when bad things happen.

Do you realize the love of God that is here and now! This love is for all of God’s creation. Even for those who you think are wrong or even evil, God loves them and wants them to be with us in Heaven for all of eternity.

Think about it! Even Hitler could have recieved forgiveness.

It is easier to despise those who we do not like. When we think someone is wrong or we don’t like them, we want others to agree with us. When we think of groups like terrorists, or Luciferians, or people in power who make bad decisions, it is easier to hate them than to think they deserve love and forgiveness.

But what would happen if we forgave even the worst of humanity. What would happen in our world if we spoke more words of love and grace then words of disgust and hate?

Let me read to you a story of Luiba who was persecuted by the Communist in Russia during the 1970’s, just fifty years ago.

Would you have the same sight in your eyes as Luiba and Stephen as you face such harsh persecution?

Can you imagine the immense amount of peace and love they must have felt in such horrific circumstances?

1 John 4:18–19 NRSV

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

Love without bounds!

The Love of God is greater than the fear.

God loves you when you do not feel worthy of love.

God’s love shines bright and expels all the darkness of hate.

Remember the greatest commandment:

Love God with your heart, mind and spirit.

Love yourself, God created you with a purpose.

Love others, God created them too.

In the name of God the Father, Jesus who is at His right hand, and the Holy Spirit who gives us all we need. Amen