November 1, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 12:13-32, Matthew 12:38-50

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  (Matthew 5:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Some folks feel awkward in church.  They don’t fit the decor.  They know it. To them, the whole thing feels fake.  It might be where the meek go, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are peacemakers.  It might be where folks mourn, but unless they’re burying someone they feel out of place.  This is a place to be merciful, but it’s a little too stuffy, and there are other options for that.  But the thing that really cuts is that this is a place for the pure in heart.  And God knows.  

They probably have a better read on things than the rest of us. God is actually present here in a meaningful way.  A different way than He’s everywhere else.  But the more time we spend here, the more we can be tricked into forgetting it.  We lose sight of the magnificent in the liturgy we have memorized.  The divine is here, and His standards don’t change just because you’re not impressed by the felt banners and bald pastor.  If it’s your job to fit in here, the house will stand empty.  If it’s a house for the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, that’s not you.  Because it’s not your house.  It’s Christ’s.  Even when some swagger around like they own it. Even when some of us know full well we don’t fit.  He reminds us that above all the rest, this is a house for the poor in spirit.  To the one utterly alienated from God.  And that still isn’t you.  It’s Christ, who though He was rich, became poor, who though He knew no sin, became sin.  It would be tragic except for the fact that He did it for you.  Which makes it beautiful.  

Every beatitude is Jesus for you.  He becomes all of those things and gives you every reward.  He took your sins. He took everything about you that doesn’t fit. And invites you to receive every good thing He has.  It’s never measured in you.  It’s always given by Him.  On the good weeks where you got a little better. On the worst weeks where everything fell apart.  It is only this: Are you in Christ Jesus?  Are you baptized?  If you’re the kind of sinner that’s scared to be here, or the kind of sinner that isn’t anymore, that forgiveness is still yours. You are a saint now. A holy one of God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.