Jesus Sees You

(NLT)

Jesus was watching the crowds gather from His vantage point and it seems that he had and automatic understanding of the people that were streaming in to hear what he had to say. He also had an immediate understanding of what the disciples needed as well.

The people were in need of a good word. They needed to know that God indeed knew what they were going through and that He did indeed care.

He knew first of all they were people in need of a good word. They needed to be told that everything was going according to plan and that things would be ok.

He knew their struggles and their pain. They were tired....tired of struggling…tired of waiting for something good to happen and many were looking to Jesus to at the very least give them something that would bring relief to them and at the most start a rebellion to make all things right. He would do both in the passage but as we heard it did not come in the way they though it would.

Jesus also knew what his disciples were needing and what they were thinking. They were early adopters so to speak…they knew that Jesus had something they just did not know what yet. They were ready to know Jesus more and start a journey with him.

He would bring blessing but not in they way they thought

He knew their struggles their pain and

They were willing to be identified as followers in hopes that their early adopting would keep them in the inner circle of Jesus with hopes there would be positions of honor and authority in this new kingdom…This in fact what would happen but this too would not happen in the way they thought it would.

Both groups were seeking a specific blessing from Jesus…Even though the disciples and the crowd were in different stages of understanding the message Jesus had would be laying the ground work for a new understanding of blessing.

Jesus saw their needs and maybe even more important Jesus saw things they did not even know they needed…Jesus Saw them…the real them.

Jesus still sees us today. Jesus still understands our needs and is in the process of blessing us it is just often done in a way that we do not really understand.

Some in the sound of my voice this morning have come today like the people that Jesus was watching stream to hear his teaching tired…tired of waiting…tired of struggle…tired of wondering when God is going to bless your life.

Some in the sound of my voice this morning have come today like the people that Jesus was watching stream to hear his teaching tired…tired of waiting…tired of struggle…tired of wondering when God is going to bless your life.

Some are like the disciples your early adopters you want to be seen as obedient followers of Jesus and you like others are in search of blessing from God...

We come ready to be blessed by God…We come maybe even wanting to hear the formula that guarantees the blessing of God.

That is what the Beatitudes are usually used for many times when this passage is preached we see it as a how to be blessed by God passage.

The problems is that many times we are not in a place to practice a beatitude

Sometimes we are not poor in spirit…sometimes we are in a great place with God…we don’t always have something to mourn, we should always be humble but sometimes we don’t have to work on this…The list goes on and on…

This is part of why it would be a mistake to see the beatitudes as a sort of “to-do” or “to-become” list. The point is not to make yourself fit into these categories. It isn’t about goal setting. It is a pronouncement, a proclamation of what is and what will be. I am ........ and I am still Blessed....

Sometimes we are not poor in spirit…sometimes we are in a great place with God…we don’t always have something to mourn, we should always be humble but sometimes we don’t have to work on this…The list goes on and on…

ck you and persecute you

5 God blesses those who are humble,

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,

7 God blesses those who are merciful,

8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,

9 God blesses those who work for peace,

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you

The beatitudes are less about telling us how to receive blessing and more about reminding us that God is already at work blessing us and teaching us what blessing from God really is.

We spent a lot of time In KC and the Chiefs were always pretty good during that time…they just could not get over the hump…so like many fans of many teams people would groan and complain about how bad they were even thought they always seemed to have a winning record…Sunday afternoon in KC was an incredible time if you were a Chiefs fan…the Stadium was full the Grocery stores were empty and everyone for those few hours had a wonderful time....but because they did not go to the super bowl or win a certain game that time was not enough.

God blesses his people no matter where we are on our journey.

Understanding and seeing those blessings instead of seeking our own version of them leads us to obedience which leads us to peace…contentment…and meaning all of which seem to be exactly what we need more of.

Think about the freedom in understanding that God brings blessing to those who seek no matter where we are on our walk with God. If you are just starting your walk God is blessing you…If you are struggling God is blessing you…If you are suffering for being obedient God is blessing you.

The freedom that comes from this truth is overwhelming if you think about it.

I think God is already doing His part in all of our lives. Our Job is to embrace the blessing God is providing instead of chasing the blessing that the world gives.

Just look at the blessings in the passage...the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. they will be comforted...they will inherit the whole earth...they will be satisfied...they will be shown mercy...they will see God... they will be called the children of God...the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. RESTATE USING OURS WHEREVER THEIRS IS USED

the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. for they will be comforted. for they will inherit the whole earth. for they will be satisfied.

for they will be shown mercy.

for they will see God.

for they will be called the children of God.

for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Even if we did not have the behaviors connected to these blessings just seeing that this is how God wants to bless His people is enough…Because God sees our real need.

Our need is not more money, power, popularity, worldly comfort, safety, health or any of the other things that we often define as blessings. We actually have a great ability to control all of these things for the most part.

Our need is to draw closer to God so that when we are in the midst of the struggle we can and should feel a peace that passes all understanding…not because we are in control but because we realize that we are not and we trust the one that is.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

7  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

8  He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

GOD Sees you and is already blessing you regardless of how mature or immature you are in your faith God is in control of your blessings…all we need to do is live in obedience recognizing those blessings when they are given.

New Living Translation Chapter 1

30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”

Dear God,

Dear God,

I so much want to be in control. I want to be the master of my own destiny. Still I know that you are saying: “Let me take you by the hand and lead you. Accept my love and trust that where I will bring you, the deepest desires of your heart will be fulfilled.” Lord, open my hands to receive your gift of love.

I want to be the master of my own destiny.

Still I know that you are saying:

“Let me take you by the hand and lead you.

Accept my love

and trust that where I will bring you,

the deepest desires of your heart will be fulfilled.”

Lord, open my hands to receive your gift of love.

Amen. Henry Nowen

Altar Call/Communion

New Living Translation Chapter 1

30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”