The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

Part 4

Jesus begins by declaring that the Kingdom of the heavens has arrived, the people taking hold of it are the outsiders, and we participate in the Kingdom through peacemaking and suffering. (5:1-16)

In each of the beatitudes, the blessing is in the second line. It’s not a blessing to be bereaved of a loved one, but there is ineffable blessing in God’s comfort.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.” Luke records Jesus saying, “blessed are the poor,” and contrasting it with “woe unto the rich.” (Luke 6) Matthew softens it just a bit. Poor in spirit – depressed, oppressed, despondent, hopeless. They are blessed because this kingdom embraces them. It is their home. 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Losing a loved one is heart-wrenching and often devastating. Death, often violent death at the hands of the Romans, was ubiquitous. Many in Jesus’ audience were in mourning. They were broken and lonely. They are blessed because God comforts. The third person of the Trinity is the comforter, the paracleton, one called alongside of us to help us.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” The meek are not those with low self-esteem. They are not doormats. The meek are the disenfranchised, those without power to change society, those who have no voice that is heard by the powerful. They are blessed because they will literally inherit the earth when Jesus’ kingdom fully comes and justice covers the earth as the waters fill the seas.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” The word “righteousness” can be translated “justice.” Justice, righteousness – same word in Greek. There are those who long for justice, who cry out for justice, like the souls under the altar in Revelation. They are the oppressed, the victims of prejudice, hatred, racism, misogyny, homo- and trans-phobia, xenophobia. They are the unwanted and unwelcome. They are blessed because true justice will come to them all. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” 

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Mercy, kindness, compassion, sympathy, empathy, humanity, generosity, understanding, consideration, helpfulness, benevolence – these are the attributes of a Christ-follower. They are blessed because their kindness comes back to them from others.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Søren Kierkegaard said, “Purity of heart is to will one thing.” The one thing is a deep, intimate, personal relationship with Jesus in which I listen to him and do what he says. Purity of heart is to be focused on God rather than being distracted by what’s going on around me. 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” A peacemaker actively makes peace. She is more than a peacekeeper. Peacekeepers impose peace by force. A peacemaker actively seeks reconciliation by creating space for shalom.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falselyon my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 

Virtually all the civil rights leaders suffered persecution for working for justice. It is the way of the cross. To return to Eden where peace and harmony reign, one must go through the angel’s fiery sword. It is through suffering that we inherit this upside-down kingdom.