Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus.                                                       Pastor Tom Joyce

November 4, 2020

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Matthew 5:8

As we journey together through this season of pandemic, there seems to be so much that is diverting our focus. Not only is there is the COVID virus, there is the incessant drumbeat of national politics, uncertainty, and a general feeling of unrest. Yet Jesus proclaims, “blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” In other words, those whose focus is squarely on God will see and be “blessed” by the presence of God in their midst. The challenge of our lives today is the tendency to make an idol out of every challenge that comes our way; we are focused on “the virus,” on politics, on others that disagree with us or who in some way have hurt us. These “idols” obscure our view of the One who has called each of us by name, the One who calls “all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) A pure heart removes all those things that obscure our view of God in all life, in all people, and in all creation.  Those who receive the blessing of Jesus’ presence in their lives cast aside all that hinders them from celebrating the abundance of life offered by Jesus and begin to see with clarity the joy and peace that is offered to all who accept the purifying grace of Jesus. What idols are in your life that keep you from celebrating the blessing of being a child of God? How do you view those who do not think like you, look like you, or act like you? When you judge others, you create an idol that keeps you from the purity of the love of Jesus. To be pure in heart is to filter out all things that distract you from knowing that Jesus is walking side by side with you in this life and the life to come.  As the Psalmist writes, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps. 118:24) Today is the day to refocus on the joy of faith, and allowing God to purify your life and to set you free from all those things and the sin that obscures your view of our Savior and Redeemer. Today is the day to reclaim the joy of faith and refocus on what is pure, holy, and joyous; Jesus the Christ.