I'm Coming Back to the Heart of Worship: The Beatitudes

All these interactions with my atheist bloggerfriends has got me reminiscing about my own journey towards Christ, and Christian faith.

I had been seeking for two years. I was taking a 2nd year course at university, Introduction to the New Testament. I found myself drawn to the person of Jesus Christ, and, by the time the semester was well underway, I found myself defending him in class against his detractors, even though I was by no means a Christian. I was simply someone drawn to the person of Jesus Christ.

As Matt Redman's worship song puts it, "it's all about you, Jesus".

As God's Spirit drew me, and moved me towards the moment of belief, I remember the central role the Beatitudes played. The goals of the Beatitudes became my goals. But I realized I could not achieve their objectives, as worthy as they were, in my own strength. I simply didn't have it in me. Oh, wretched man that I was! Who could save me from my self?

The Beatitudes

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

I was poor.

"Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted."

I was mourning.

"Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth."

I was not meek.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled."

I hungered.

"Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy."

I was not merciful.

"Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God."

I was not pure in heart.

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God."

I was not at peace.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

I did not yet know what this would mean.

Oh, how I loved the man who spoke these words, 'though I did not yet know him.

It's all about you, Jesus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOYhkc4n6Sg

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

-- Matt Redman