We established this last week that Jesus intends for us to hear his words from the Sermon on the Mount and put them into practice. This makes us wise. Looking to the context of Matthew for the sermon, Jesus is proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven come near. This sermon is therefore a calling to live life through this Kingdom ethic. The one who calls us to live the sermon is also the one who empowers us to live the sermon. When the community of believers practice this sermon together, we become a witness to God’s reign here “one earth as it is in heaven.” Like Moses calling people to relationship with God and giving them the law, Jesus goes up on the mountain and those who answer his call to follow him step forward from the crowd to receive his words (5:1-2).
Jesus takes his place up on the mountainside, those who answer the call to follow him step out of the crowd, and Jesus begins to speak about what life in the Kingdom looks like. His public speaking up to this point has pointed to the Kingdom of Heaven coming near and those who step forward are ready to hear more. I want to pause for a moment to remind us of who is now at the feet of Jesus ready to hear these words. I’ve always pictured the “Chosen Twelve” as the main people sitting at his feet, but Matthew isn’t called till chapter nine and the distinguishing of “The Twelve” doesn’t happen till chapter ten. Skim Matt 4:18-25 and see who all is there. As Jesus begins to share what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like, he begins with announcing who is blessed.
If you were going to start a new nation of people, who would you signify as blessed in that new community? Who would you set apart as the most important? Here’s a quick list off the top of my head for those our society see as blessed:
Blessed are the rich,
for they will have influence and power.
Blessed are those with a large social media following,
for they will have a voice in society.
Blessed are those who are bold, outspoken, and get the job done,
for they will be promoted to management positions.
Blessed are those who are ruthless in their victory for their group,
for they will give victory to reclaim our identity.
Blessed are those who are willing to take up arms,
for they are good people who are willing to fight for what is right.
Blessed are the educated,
for they with be given special honor.
Blessed are those who are quick and clear in speech,
for they will obliterate our rivals and pave the way for victory.
We tend to see people as blessed who have their lives together, money in their pockets, influence in society, and can move the culture forward to where it needs to be. This wasn’t too different in the ancient world. If you are creating a new nation of people, you would expect the cream to rise to the top. They receive positions of influence and power. You look for such people to make up your society and shape it. Every society has some form of class system, and every group knows their place.
What does it look like in the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus begins with signifying who is blessed. Look again at who all makes up the crowd: lame, sick, diseased, demon-possessed, rejected, marginalized people…and a wildly diverse group of others from all over. Jesus addresses these people by affirming their identity in the Kingdom as those who are blessed. Most of these people have never considered themselves blessed. Jesus’s initial message in the Sermon on the Mount is this:
1. When the Kingdom comes, do not be surprised by who is included. These are the types of people you’re going to find. They are at home in the Kingdom.
2. If you’re going to hear these words of mine and put them into practice (7:24-27), then you need to begin by knowing something at the core of who you are. You are blessed. God, the creator of the universe, is especially fond of you and has invited you to be in this Kingdom.
3. This Kingdom is going to look different from any kingdom in this world. The values of reconciliation, peacemaking, mercy, and righteousness will be some of the many different markers of citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
One word of caution as we turn to the “Beatitudes.” This is not a list of attributes that you should aspire to. Some teachers and preachers in the past have used to phrase, “The beatitudes are attitudes you are to be.” While cute, it is not accurate. “Beatitude” is a Latin word carried over as a title for this section meaning, “supreme blessedness.” Don’t be surprised if those who have chosen to answer the call to follow Jesus turn out to be peacemakers, merciful, and those thirst for making the world right (righteousness). Celebrate that there is a place for the poor, mourning, meek, and pure in heart because they bring remind us of our connectedness in the Kingdom and our need for one another. Find value in those who don’t speak up too quickly and see what value these people add to community life. You’ll find the Kingdom of Heaven richer for it.