Happy Lord’s Day, friend!
This past Sunday (10/6/24), I had the privilege of preaching on the third beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Here’s an excerpt from the sermon:
Let me ask you: Where do those temptations for revenge come from? Where do those urges to repay evil for evil and get back at someone come from, when we feel like we have been wronged?
Perhaps we could define revenge like this:
Revenge is the sinful (and always futile) attempt to make the earth right again by repaying evil for evil.
Of course, revenge never makes the earth right again—it actually always makes things worse. But notice that beneath every vengeful effort is a longing for justice—a desire for the earth to be made right again.
Today’s text shows us that there is hope for the earth to be made right again, but it won’t come through our vengeful efforts. It won’t come from us taking the world by force. It won’t come from us clenching our teeth and taking matters into our own hands.
In fact, it will come through a far quieter but infinitely more satisfying means.
And what is that? Why can we have hope when the world feels so broken and evil often seems to win?
. . .
If we do not see Jesus as the Lion who will bring perfect justice, we will live vengeful lives, trying to make the earth right again by “getting back at” those who have hurt us.
If we do not see Jesus as the (slain) Lamb who is gentle and merciful toward all who repent and turn to him, we will live fearful lives, afraid that his coming justice is going to swallow us.
The only way we can have hope in a sinful world—the only way we will become meek—is if we see Jesus as both Lion and Lamb, the place where perfect justice and lavish mercy meet.
Watch the sermon below. (Note: The sermon starts at the 26:00 mark.)
Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Listen to Meridith Andrew’s “The Lamb, The Lion, The King” here.
Blake Glosson (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is a pastoral resident at Chapelstreet Church in Geneva, Illinois. He has been published by The Gospel Coalition, Life Bible, and Crosswalk.com and republished and/or referred by Eternal Perspective Ministries (Randy Alcorn), Challies.com (Tim Challies), DashHouse (Darryl Dash), Moody Radio (here, here, and here), The JOY FM (here and here), Rooted, Monergism, ChurchLeaders, The Aquila Report (here and here), and numerous other sources. Previously, he served as the director of young adults at New Covenant Bible Church in St. Charles, Illinois.
Watch or listen to more of Blake’s sermons here.
Read “That Decompressing Exhale For Which Our Souls Long” here.
Read “12 Easy Ways to Improve Your Listening” here.
Read “Atomic Habits and Bible Intake: How Tiny Changes Add Up” here.
Read “Satan’s Two Favorite Lies (and Christ’s Victory)” here.
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