THE WAY TO A MEANINGFUL LIFE
Living Against the Grain

Dr. Richard J. Henderson April 22, 2007

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I Peter 3:13-17
Matthew 5:1-16

Introduction

All of the beatitudes we have been studying clearly apply to us. We have looked at each of Jesus' beatitudes over the last several weeks and we have learned from them. This last beatitude is different.

Christians aren't persecuted today. If anything we may be the persecutors. We are in control. We often make the decisions. We aren't harassed.

No one comes in the dead of night, breaks down our door, identifies us as a Christian and hauls us off to jail. No one takes us to the Coliseum and sets us loose among famished lions. We aren't torn to shreds and then eaten alive.

Christians aren't persecuted. This beatitude is for another time, when Christians had to hide because they were hunted down and killed. This is a beatitude from when the Christian faith was persecuted. It simply doesn't apply to us today. (Go to sit down)

I

Although, I have a friend who worked for a major auto company who refused to go along with what he knew to be unethical. No one said anything, but he was passed over for the next promotion - and the promotion after that. And then he was transferred to a remote plant. His steady upward climb in the company came to a sudden stop and turned around.

I did hear about the high school girl who stood up for her gay friend and she ended up being laughed at and called names and ostracized by some of the most popular kids.

I was thinking this past week of the politicians who have taken a stand for gun control - even the most sensible limitations on automatic weapons - and faced the enormous power and wealth of the National Rifle Association and been defeated in their bid for re-election.

There are faithful Christians today who stand up for what they believe and pay a price for it. The lions that tear them apart aren't in the Coliseum but in the school lunchroom, the corporate boardroom, or behind closed doors.

II

The story is told that Henry David Thoreau protested slavery in his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts and he was arrested and put in jail. His good friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson, who lived in the same town, came to visit him in jail. "Henry," he said, "What in the world are you doing in here?" Thoreau turned and looked him in the eye and said, "No, Sir, the question is, What in the world are you doing out there!"

If we aren't persecuted, even a little bit, maybe we need to ask ourselves if we are clear enough witnesses for Christ.

It is most often not the heroic, famous people, about whom stories are told, who make a difference, but the ordinary people doing small acts of courage - the high school guy who doesn't go to the party where he knows there will be drinking, the girl who refuses to be pressured into sex, the business owner who limits his own income because he insists that his workers be paid fairly.

When I was in college there was a man who was a conscientious objector. (It was less common then than it is now). One day he stood before a military board and told them that because he was a Christian he could not kill another human being - even those that his government labeled the "enemy." On campus most people thought he was odd. His patriotism was questioned. He was laughed at behind his back. He stood up for what he believed in and there was a price to pay.

III

There is a reason that this beatitude is last. In the beatitudes before this Jesus talked about the blessings of being faithful. This last one speaks of the price to be paid for being faithful.

Jesus never pulled any punches about this. He told his followers up front that if they came with him it would not be easy. Remember he said, "Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Jesus expected that his followers would suffer. He knew it came with the territory.

A lot of parents want their kids to be involved with church because it will keep them away from trouble. They want their kids to associate with other healthy kids who stay away from drugs, alcohol, and sex. That is a good goal, and it is true that to be involved with other church kids is a very healthy place to be. It makes a big difference.

Especially in our time we need to give our kids strong, moral values. Kids need to hear Jesus' teachings - especially today. It will keep them out of trouble - at least in one way.

Theologian Roger Shinn writes, "Can you imagine a parent bringing a child to Jesus with the words: 'I want my boy to go with you, because you will keep him out of trouble'? How might Jesus reply? Perhaps he would say: 'What are you talking about? Foxes have their holes, but I have no place to lay my head. This is no way to avoid trouble.' Or he might say: 'Trouble is one thing I can guarantee. If your boy comes with me, he'd better prepare for self-denial, persecution - and yes, cruel death."

Jesus can keep us from one kind of trouble, but he might lead us to a whole different kind. There is a serious danger in being Christian. If our faith is easy and light, it may not be deep enough.

Conclusion

Jacob Riis was a Danish-American who documented the plight of the poor in New York City. He was a ground-breaking photographer who used his skills to make a difference in the lives of poor immigrants in the US. He especially took on the horror of child labor, and the awful conditions in which young children had to work.

He was attacked by many as a trouble-maker because his pictures made clear the horrible conditions in which many people had to live and work. He was one of the first photographers to use flash powder, which he used to penetrate the darkness and demonstrate the plight of the suffering, abused and poor.

He was called a "muckraker" and attacked again and again because he made people look at what they didn't want to see or believe. He continued his battle to the end of his life. Finally, after he was gone, significant changes were made and many of his wishes for better living conditions came about.

It wasn't easy. There was a price to pay. But he endured throughout his life.

The one who taught us that there is a price to pay for faithfulness knew exactly what he was talking about. He paid the ultimate price for you and me.

Amen

© Richard J. Henderson 2007