I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). The Jews listening to Jesus’ message were a product of the four hundred years between the Old and New Testaments. They knew their difficulties were due to their disobedience of God’s law and vowed never to let this to happen again. Groups of leaders, such as the Pharisees, arose to lead them in this commitment. They were totally focused on pleasing God through obedience of the law. However, they became aware that total observance of all the religious requirements was impossible. This was difficult for conscientious and honest Jews. Feelings of guilt, frustration, and anxiety plagued them. The life of the Jew revolved around his religion. His education, political and social life, and employment came under the control of his religion. Yet, they could not fulfill everything their religion demanded. The laws were too many; the ceremonies were complex with attention given to detail.
How does an honest believer cope with failure in keeping their religious beliefs? It seems some of the religious leaders fostered an alternate idea. If a person could perfectly keep just a few of the laws, God would understand. This in itself was a compromise. How is the selection going to be made? Which laws are the most important? This proved to be impossible. Therefore, some narrowed the requirement to one law perfectly kept. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). This Beatitude contains Jesus’ marvelous summation both in statement and in experience. I must have Him! I am a Jesus pusher!!!