As I walk through this time with Steve I am experiencing the humbling effects of grief. Our lives have been intertwined for so many years, and I am intensely aware of our humanity as we walk together through this valley where death is casting its shadow. But even here I am aware of the kingdom blessings that Jesus promised.
When Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven He used the word makarius, blessed, a word that in Ancient Greek times referred to the gods. *They had achieved a state of happiness and contentment in life that was beyond all cares, labor, and even death. The blessed ones were beings that lived in some other world away from the care and worries and problems of ordinary people.* Jesus took the blessing that had been used for Greek gods and conferred it on those who had poverty of spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Nothing has exposed my helplessness and my humanity quite like the knowledge that my soulmate will soon be gone. My friend Brenda Shutters expressed the loss of her husband this way. “The pain that I felt was like a tearing away of part of my life.” Even in the midst of sorrow I hear Jesus’ invitation to reject the lie spoken at the dawn of time that I can be like God. I recognize that the blessing of His kingdom isn’t for those who have “achieved a state of happiness and contentment in life that is beyond all cares, labors, and even death.” The blessings of the kingdom of heaven are for those who recognize their humanity and their great need, and embrace the fullness of God’s love.
During this season of grief I find myself wanting to shield myself against the vulnerability that comes with grief. There is the fear of being sucked into a vortex of lament that I can’t escape. There is a part of me that wants to hide for fear that the grief I’m facing will take possession of me. But Jesus invites me into my human vulnerability and He meets me there with these words, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
How is it that Jesus Christ could extend this kingdom blessing and heavenly comfort to us? I believe that it because, “He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4,5). He who is God became flesh so that we who come to Him can know the blessings of the kingdom of heaven and the comfort of the one who has borne our grief and carried our sorrows.
*The History of the Word “Makarius” by Brian Staffregn
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