Bret Hammond

The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel connects the United States to Canada by traveling nearly a mile under the Detroit River. When we popped out of the tunnel on the Canadian side, my friends, Mark and Kimm, turned to me in the backseat and said (in unison), “Bret, when the guards stop us at the gate, keep your mouth shut.”

I’m still not exactly sure what they thought I was going to say. But it was imperative that I not joke around or try to have fun with the guards. I was a visitor to their land and needed to respect that. My friends knew me well enough to warn me that my mouth might get us in trouble . . . again.

The apostle Peter reminds us that we are strangers in this world; sojourners just traveling through. Our language and character should both inform those around us that we don’t belong here and cause them to wonder where we might be from. “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable,” Peter writes. In a world that seems drunk on conflict and drama, the Christian is to stand apart, not join in. Sometimes that means keeping your mouth shut when you find yourself. Other times it means making sure the words you DO use broadcast the love of Jesus to those around you.

My Tuesday evenings are a little more lonely these days. Like many of you, for the last six years, I spent Tuesday evenings with the Pearson family enjoying the series "This Is Us." I marveled at how the writers pulled stories together, wondered about the cause of Jack's death, was firmly Team Toby (right up until I wasn't), and watched Rebecca slowly slip away.

(I guess I should have warned you about spoilers, but it's been six years, so that's kind of on you)

One of the elements that I loved in the series was how the title defined the family. While they might have their squabbles and outright showdowns, in the end, it was about the dynamic they shared. No matter what, they were family. This Is Us.

I see the lines of division being drawn up in our world today. I hear politicians telling us who's in and out. And I see preachers putting up walls where Jesus opened doors. We need a reminder that we dare not divide who we are. Yes, we have our differences, but at the end of the day, "This Is Us." Together, united, one in Christ.

It's hard to find one word that describes my feelings this past week. "Stunned," maybe. "Shocked," definitely. "Grieving," again. There's been too much to grieve and too little time to mourn it properly. We're all hurting for the families of Robb Elementary School and the community of Uvalde.

When I chose to preach from Micah today, I had no idea how it would resonate with the week we've been through. The words of Micah 4:3 likely sound familiar to you. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares." Instruments of destruction are forged into resources to serve the needs of others. But it's his promise in verse 4 that I've felt most pronounced this week. "No one shall make them afraid." It's not just an end of hostility but an end of fear.

I want that promise. I want it for school kids, teachers—for everyone! But, while we wait for its fulfillment in Jesus, I seek its presence in myself. I cannot claim to follow the Prince of Peace without seeking peace. On earth, as it is in heaven.

Our friend Kendal challenged several of us to a scavenger hunt. My brother-in-law and I were confident we could win! As soon as we had the instructions in hand, we took off in his truck to search the countryside for the prize.

After getting stuck in a ditch and relying on the kindness of a farmer to pull us out, we were curious as to why none of our competitors had come along after us. Were we that far ahead, or were we in last place? So we headed back to the starting point and discovered the instructions were leading us back there the whole time. The others had noticed that from the beginning and decided to wait it out and see how long it took us to return.

I've felt a little like I did that night as we wrap up the Beatitudes today. We've been viewing these blessings as "A Map to Jesus." However, we've seen ourselves in these blessings as we've made our way through. We've mourned, responded in meekness, and hungered for God's righteous rule in our world. We've found that this map to Jesus has led us right back where we started—to each other!

Today as we wrap up the Beatitudes, Jesus makes this final blessing very personal. He leads us back to ourselves to discover if we have found the strength within ourselves to stand for him. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." Can we find Jesus even in this blessing? Can we find each other?

I begin every morning by asking Siri to tell me the news, and every news report begins with the war in Ukraine. I hear of attacks on "humanitarian corridors," peace talks that never produce fruit, the bombing of civilians, and sanctions that seem to move too slowly. I wish I could tell you that I follow every news report with a time of prayer on my knees, but I confess that many times I shake my head and wonder when it will all be over.

And then I come to Jesus' words, "Blessed are the peacemakers." As I hear Jesus, I realize if I'm looking for peacemakers in embassies and bunkers, I'm looking in the wrong places. So instead, I look to the families caring for enemy soldiers, giving them water and food, and letting them use their cellphones to call home. Peacemaking doesn't happen between nations, but one-on-one, friend-to-friend, as we display the image of God for those who would be our enemies and seek His image in the same.

None of this is easy, of course, and there are mornings when the news leaves me feeling less than charitable. But, nothing Jesus says should make us think it's an easy blessing. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." We have only to stop and consider what happened to the actual Son of God to realize this blessing will cost us. But when we consider what we have gained from his sacrifice, we know the cost is worth it.

The words "mother" and "mercy" seem to go together naturally. I see the connection as I watch my daughter hold my granddaughter; I see it as I watch Trish get Connor ready for school in the mornings. For many, mothers are their first experience of the blessing of mercy.

But, in a parable where Jesus explained what mercy looks like, he didn't choose a mother as the merciful one but a complete stranger. Jesus reminds us that we don't only show mercy to family members or those we have a relationship with. Instead, mercy is a gift given to the one in need of it.

There was a commercial on TV when I was a child. I don't remember what they were selling, but it was a scene of an old well pump on a farm and a voice reciting Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Whenever the commercial came on, I would think, "I don't know what righteousness is, but it must be hard work. You're hungry and thirsty after you're done doing it!"

I was right, just not for the reasons my young mind thought; righteousness is exhausting! Seeking God's "right rule" for ourselves and those around us can wear us out. It is seeking freedom for the oppressed, lifting up those who have been mowed down by the world, offering comfort to the hurting, and showing mercy to the desperate.

All of this while seeking a "right relationship with God" for ourselves. Such a pursuit would wear us out if it weren't for Jesus' promise, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Thirst quenched, hunger sated; that is the promise of this blessing.

I just did a quick search on Twitter for "#Blessed." Among the results were:

- A pool party for someone's grandson.

- Before and after pictures from a diet.

- The results of a soccer match.

- And someone was celebrating finally hitting 500 followers on Twitter.

#blessed indeed!

When we count our blessings, we calculate the positive things that lift us up and make us feel valued—and we should! But how does our #blessed list stack up against Jesus' list?

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

I seldom see Jesus' idea of blessings hashtagged and celebrated on social media. Jesus' list sounds painful! Like if they don't bless you, they'll kill you!

In this message, we begin exploring the Beatitudes, the blessings Jesus offers to those who follow him. As we do, we may have to redefine what a blessed life looks like to us.

"That which is of first importance." It's buttoning the top button so the others line up correctly. It's the flight check before take-off. It's the surgeon marking the spot for surgery. When we put that which is of first importance first, everything else falls in line.

In 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul writes, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received." He then details the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. When we put first things first, everything else falls in line."That which is of first importance." It's buttoning the top button so the others line up correctly. It's the flight check before take-off. It's the surgeon marking the spot for surgery. When we put that which is of first importance first, everything else falls in line.

In 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul writes, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received." He then details the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. When we put first things first, everything else falls in line.

"Hosanna!" It's an ancient word that meant "Save me!" If a fisherman fell overboard, he would shout, "Hosanna!" with his last few breaths, hoping to be saved.

The fact that the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem shouted "Hosanna!" ought to remind us that the Easter story is not for people who've got it all together. It's for the hurting, hopeless, and those barely holding on. The Easter story is for people who need a Savior.