After Jesus recruited disciples he took them apart to let them know what they had gotten themselves into. His brief itinerary through Galilean towns along the lake had attracted quite a following, with many interested in how he would top the teaching and miracles they had witnessed or heard about the past few days.
Jesus needed time to brief the new disciples, so he sought an area in the hills overlooking the lake. The crowds of course followed and listened in, but the discourse in what we call the Sermon on the Mount was intended primarily for the chosen and recruited disciples.
In a way the Sermon on the Mount is a lesson in kingdom repentance, because it teaches a way of thinking and living that is entirely different from the world around, both in Jesus’ time and in ours. Whether Jewish or Gentile, one must rethink and reorient one’s life to live in the kingdom.
Jesus began with a set of beatitudes. Poetic verses describing a preferred state, beatitudes were the stock-in-trade of many rabbis. They are present in several psalms, most notably Psalm 1:1-3. They also are found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, as well as Old Testament historical books and prophetic writings.
Beginning with the word blessed, or happy, a beatitude describes a condition or state of living characterized by people with a certain characteristic. In Psalm 1, for example, an observer should look to one’s life that appears as stable and fulfilled as a fruitful tree by living waters. There you would find someone who does not live by negative influences but who delights and mediates in Torah. Reading and meditating on Scripture has produced the fruitful stable life that is to be enjoyed and envied.
The word blessed is Hebrew asr, from which is derived the name Asher, son of Jacob and patriarch of the tribe of Asher. Its root suggests walking in a straight line, traveling a certain path. Something has been done or accomplished that brought about the happy state. The happiness is not conferred, but the direct result of living a certain way. One is in a state of contentment and well-being from an appropriate lifestyle.
Jesus oriented his disciples to the kingdom with a mind to reorienting their values and perspectives through eight beatitudes. The first and last are bracketed by promises of the kingdom, enveloping the whole in kingdom values and a preferred life or happy state.
Let’s rephrase verse 3 to reflect the concept of beatitude: A preferred, blissful life in the kingdom has been attained by those who are poor in spirit, or completely dependent on God alone. As in Isaiah 66:2 they are “poor and contrite in spirit.” In Hebrew thought poor in spirit has surrendered arrogant self-confidence for a relationship with God.
Verse 10 identifies those enjoying the blessed life of the kingdom as having endured persecution for the sake of doing what God has called them to do. Responding in obedience, they encountered resistance through verbal attacks, societal snubs, and maybe even violence. The kingdom is often resisted because it requires a way of life noticeably different from the culture around. Those who maintained the life beyond stiff resistance are happily occupying the kingdom.
This is so important that Jesus amplified it in verses 11 and 12. Persecution in various forms is the result of obeying God with a lifestyle congruent with the kingdom but contrasted with the world. We join the good company of the prophets of old when we live and speak the kingdom to the dismay of the culture. Our reward is the kingdom.
We can read the other beatitudes in the same fashion …
Jesus’ initial disciples were recruited from a portion of Galilee steeped in hatred for the Romans and the deep conviction that the Messiah would conquer the land and establish the kingdom through violent military means. They were ready to sign up and join the movement when that Messiah appeared.
Jesus invited the disciples to repent. We are going to bring the kingdom, alright. But not as you believe. We are going to begin by demonstrating what the kingdom looks like. When opposition and resistance comes we will simply remain faithful to the task at hand and deal with those who oppose us with love and humility. That is the happy state of the kingdom.
Jesus needed time to brief the new disciples, so he sought an area in the hills overlooking the lake. The crowds of course followed and listened in, but the discourse in what we call the Sermon on the Mount was intended primarily for the chosen and recruited disciples.
In a way the Sermon on the Mount is a lesson in kingdom repentance, because it teaches a way of thinking and living that is entirely different from the world around, both in Jesus’ time and in ours. Whether Jewish or Gentile, one must rethink and reorient one’s life to live in the kingdom.
Jesus began with a set of beatitudes. Poetic verses describing a preferred state, beatitudes were the stock-in-trade of many rabbis. They are present in several psalms, most notably Psalm 1:1-3. They also are found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, as well as Old Testament historical books and prophetic writings.
Beginning with the word blessed, or happy, a beatitude describes a condition or state of living characterized by people with a certain characteristic. In Psalm 1, for example, an observer should look to one’s life that appears as stable and fulfilled as a fruitful tree by living waters. There you would find someone who does not live by negative influences but who delights and mediates in Torah. Reading and meditating on Scripture has produced the fruitful stable life that is to be enjoyed and envied.
The word blessed is Hebrew asr, from which is derived the name Asher, son of Jacob and patriarch of the tribe of Asher. Its root suggests walking in a straight line, traveling a certain path. Something has been done or accomplished that brought about the happy state. The happiness is not conferred, but the direct result of living a certain way. One is in a state of contentment and well-being from an appropriate lifestyle.
Jesus oriented his disciples to the kingdom with a mind to reorienting their values and perspectives through eight beatitudes. The first and last are bracketed by promises of the kingdom, enveloping the whole in kingdom values and a preferred life or happy state.
Let’s rephrase verse 3 to reflect the concept of beatitude: A preferred, blissful life in the kingdom has been attained by those who are poor in spirit, or completely dependent on God alone. As in Isaiah 66:2 they are “poor and contrite in spirit.” In Hebrew thought poor in spirit has surrendered arrogant self-confidence for a relationship with God.
Verse 10 identifies those enjoying the blessed life of the kingdom as having endured persecution for the sake of doing what God has called them to do. Responding in obedience, they encountered resistance through verbal attacks, societal snubs, and maybe even violence. The kingdom is often resisted because it requires a way of life noticeably different from the culture around. Those who maintained the life beyond stiff resistance are happily occupying the kingdom.
This is so important that Jesus amplified it in verses 11 and 12. Persecution in various forms is the result of obeying God with a lifestyle congruent with the kingdom but contrasted with the world. We join the good company of the prophets of old when we live and speak the kingdom to the dismay of the culture. Our reward is the kingdom.
We can read the other beatitudes in the same fashion …
- Those who were encouraged through the hard times of transition into the kingdom were the ones who grieved, mourned, and struggled through repentance and resultant resistance.
- Those who inherited the promised land of the kingdom were those who with meekness and humility dealt with opposition and remained faithful.
- Those who are satisfied in the kingdom are those sought after righteousness with the desperation of a starving person.
- Those who benefit from mercy extended it to those who resisted or oppressed them, not seeking revenge.
- Those who enjoy relationship with God are those who sought a pure heart. See Psalm 24:3-6.
- Those identified as children of God are those who have sought to bring peace, and enter the kingdom through peaceful means.
Jesus’ initial disciples were recruited from a portion of Galilee steeped in hatred for the Romans and the deep conviction that the Messiah would conquer the land and establish the kingdom through violent military means. They were ready to sign up and join the movement when that Messiah appeared.
Jesus invited the disciples to repent. We are going to bring the kingdom, alright. But not as you believe. We are going to begin by demonstrating what the kingdom looks like. When opposition and resistance comes we will simply remain faithful to the task at hand and deal with those who oppose us with love and humility. That is the happy state of the kingdom.
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP)Matthew 5:1-12 (4 Epiphany A 2014)
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