Friday, May 22, 2015

BERLIN

Standing at various locations in the German city of Berlin this week -- The Wall -- the Brandenburg Gate -- the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe -- gave new meaning to what Jesus wrote in the Sermon on the Mount on the Mount of Beatitudes.

Never mind that part of the Nazi forces motivation was to purge the world of Jews, 'Gypsies,' the sick and lame -- basically anyone not like them -- the eternal truth comes from One of those very people, sent in to the world to redeem it forever.  

Memorial to the Murdered Jews - 2700 slabs of concrete
in varying heights arranged in a grid pattern on a sloping field.
Jesus.

A Jew.

One who came not for those who were well, but for the sick, the hurting, the lame, the dead, the sinful.  "Those" people.

So as I stand at terrible yet memorable places and remember Jesus' words in Matthew 5, I see the exact opposite values from what the evil empires of the world value.  

That may not be a surprise to you -- yet it is worth noting today.  

That said, you needn't be a Hitler to have skewed values or hurt people or leave a trail of carnage in your personal wake.  So these words bring new and refreshed meaning to this life after recalling the atrocities of man upon man.

Maybe you'll read them a little differently now as well:

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is in heaven ... '
(Matthew 5:3-11)

And be blessed.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Yes, We must see the evil in our own heart first. Only 1 sin we keep anyone out of Heaven, unless they become "Born Again"