The balance of power has shifted yet again in our schizophrenic political climate. This past Tuesday was election day and with this election cycle we witnessed a bit of a house cleaning in both the state and federal government. Dissatisfied voters went to the polls to elect replacements for many of the incumbent political leaders. Only 2 years ago we saw a wide swath of change as many democratic candidates rode the wave of popularity stirred up by now-president Obama; it would seem that with Tuesday's election results, that tide has already receded and a new tide is making its way in to our political shore line.
While we are citizens of this world, because we are believers in Christ our primary citizenship is in heaven. Our faith helps us to understand that the struggles for power in this world are far less important than the world would have us believe; after all, as the Psalms remind us, “The earth is the Lord's and everything in it” (Ps. 24:1) and “Kingship belongs to the Lord and He rules over it.” (Ps. 22:28) But still this world competes for power.
The world makes so much of political power. It is almost a religion; there is an assumption that when you have worldly power you must have God's favor. After all, you can influence the direction of cultures and countries and societies. You can make headlines. You can even make history. And so in the world, elections, and the quest for power are a big deal.
But that is the way of the world. It is not the way of the church, it is not the way of the Christian. Christ has not called us to power, political or otherwise. Christ has called us to faith.And in that call is his command; his command that we have before us here in our Gospel for today.
Those who are poor in spirit are blessed, because to them is the kingdom of heaven.
Those who mourn are blessed, because they will be comforted
Those who are meek are blessed, because they will inherit the earth.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, because they will be filled.
The merciful are blessed, because they will receive mercy.
Those who are pure in heart are blessed, for the will see God
The peace makers are blessed, because they will be called sons of God.
Those who are persecuted for righteousness sake will be blessed for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
While Tuesday was election day, Monday, November the first, was All Saints Day. The history of this church celebration is rooted in the early centuries of the church when persecution and martyrdom were more common place. Many faithful believers were routinely arrested and murdered. These Christians stood firm in the face of persecution and even death, they would not back down and they would not let go of their faith. Their stories became inspirational examples for the church that were worth celebrating. And so they would set aside days for their remembrance. Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Origen of Alexandria, Pollycarp, Perpetua and Felicity. Their stories became examples of Christ's victory over Satan and the World. These Christians were sent to Glory making bold testimony to the truth of the Gospel. All Saints Day is the commemoration of these faithful departed.
But their voices are not alone. They are not the only ones testifying to the victory of Christ over sin and Satan. Every Christian who dies, faithful to the Gospel is a witness of Christ's power over the devil.
Very foolishly, I think, we overlook this, we discount this daily battle that we fight. St Peter tells us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. It is his purpose to devour you. If he could only lure one of you away from the fold of Christ's flock he would consider that a great and precious victory. He desires you death and destruction in hell.
And so he attacks you. There are times that he attacks as he attacked the Christian martyrs of old through worldly forces, through death and the threat of physical harm. But we are more used to his subtle attacks. He disguises his attacks in temptations to sin. He lies to you and tells you that these temptations are for your good, for your enjoyment. He tells you they won't hurt you and that they will even be good for you. He tells you that you deserve the happiness it will bring. And so you give in. You indulge the sin.
But that is only the first step. Once you have given in, he then attacks you with guilt or bitterness or anger. He turns you against yourself, against your brothers and sisters in Christ, against God and he stirs that pot of bitterness hoping that it will cause you to loose your faith.
Dear friends, do not give in to these battles. Do not pretend to have the strength and the where with all to fight these battles. You cannot. The devil is too strong for you. Don't consider yourself to be a spiritual crusader and mighty warrior, you are not powerful or strong, not the way the world views power and strength. Instead you are poor.
Poor in spirit, but to you is the kingdom of heaven. You mourn, but you will be comforted. You are meek and humble, like a lamb hunted by lions, but you will inherit the earth, you thirst for righteousness (like a deer panting for water) and your thirst will be satisfied. Your are merciful because you have received mercy. You make peace because you are God's children. And therefore you are persecuted, you are reviled and lied about and cursed by the world and by the devil. But still you are blessed.
You are blessed because of the power, the strength, the honor and the glory of the one who fights for you. Christ is you captain. Christ is your champion. He fights your battles. He defeats your enemies. He vanquishes your foes. He gives you honor. He gives you his glory.
And so we are poor. The world hates poverty, looks down on those who are poor, pities those who are poor. The church revels in it.
Now, there were those in the medieval church who mistakenly believed that there was some blessing in going without worldly possessions, that it was somehow better or more pious to be poor. And so they would give away everything they owned, take a vow of poverty and live as a beggar. Jesus doesn't mean to have us believe that we are somehow closer to God when we have fewer possessions or less wealth. Jesus says that it is those who are poor in spirit who are blessed. To be poor in spirit is to be spiritually poor. Elsewhere Jesus used the comparison of a tax collector and a pharisee. One who seemed to be have personal righteousness in spades compared to one who was despised as a sinner. One boasted, the other repented. One claimed his own power, the other begged God of His. The beggar received blessing, the boaster when home without. Ironically, each one received what he came seeking.
But the promise is this, those who are poor are promised that they will be rich. Those who have nothing, no spiritual strength, no spiritual power, no honor or glory of their own, they receive the Kingdom of Heaven. The receive from God a heavenly inheritance. They receive the crown of glory.
The world rejoices in power and wealth and worldly strength. Is there a greater defeat in the eyes of the world than to be defeated and to have your earthly life taken from you? The world thought it had defeated the Christian Martyrs of old. Even today, the world despises the weakness of Christians who are killed as they gather to pray or to worship. But the church knows the difference. Death is no defeat for the Christian. Death is victory because Christ has won. That Christian is with Jesus. That Christian is before God's throne. That Christian can never suffer again.
Our Revelation text tells us of what happens to the saints after they are taken to heaven.
[15] “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
[16] They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
[17] For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
(Revelation 7:15-17 ESV)
The Christian Martyrs are there. They are in heaven with God. They were called upon to testify to Christ's victory over death by surrendering their life to the devil and this sinful world. But there are others who are there with them, others who suffered as well, although not with the same martyrdom. They might not have been murdered for their faith or beaten or tortured. But they suffered still the same. They were attacked daily by Satan and in testimony to their faith they stood firm. The Lord was with them and he gained the victory in them over sin. They too are there in heaven with him preserved for all eternity. Your friends, your family members who died in the faith are a part of that community of the victorious in heaven with Jesus.
The Lord has Won! He himself has risen and has defeated sin and death. And that resurrection and that defeat of Satan has transferred over into the life of your friend, your loved one. The victory of Jesus is made real in the life and even in the death of the saints. Today is All Saints day. All the saints. Even our own.
Jesus has died, he has risen and he is alive. He life, his resurrected life gives life to all those who believe. We celebrate His victory in them and his victory in you.
Amen.
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