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Dear Disciple,
Jesus’ “handbook on discipleship, the “Sermon on the Mount,” begins with the well known “beatitudes.” The word “beatitude” comes from the Latin beati (from beatus), the Latin Bible’s translation of the Greek word makarioi which begins each sentence of the “beatitudes” and which means blessed, fortunate, or happy.
Jesus is speaking to that state of being which brings greatest good and blessing to the human person, and he is linking that state of being up to Himself and the coming of His kingdom. Remember that when Jesus began his public ministry he began by preaching the good news. What was this good news? Was it that God loved you and had a plan for your life? No. Was it that Jesus died for your sins? No. These things may well be true, but the good news, the “gospel,” that Jesus proclaimed was this: the time has come; the kingdom of God is near; repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus isn’t just announcing that the kingdom of God is around the corner, but that it has arrived, and that it has arrived in Himself. He is the King of the Kingdom! He is the anointed! He is the Messiah!
The beatitudes link the happiness or blessedness of mankind with the promises of the kingdom of God (which Matthew refers to as the kingdom of heaven) over which Jesus reigns as King. They point out the kinds of attitudes and actions that are consistent with life in the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom brought in by Jesus. But they also point out the promised blessings that go with such attitudes and actions of Kingdom people.
As we shall see, the beatitudes also announce in their own way the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises, but one thing at a time.
Are the beatitudes pronouncement, description, command, or promise? Well, in a sense they are all four. They are pronouncement of a great joy - that now is the long awaited time for Kingdom blessings to be poured out. The kingdom of God is here! They are descriptive of the kind of person upon whom the blessings of the Kingdom come. They point us, and thus command us, to the kind of life that is consistent with the Kingdom of God and its blessing. They promise blessings for those who would submit to Jesus and to His reign – kingdom blessings, blessings which fill every crevasse of need there is in the human heart and soul – theirs is the kingdom of heaven, they will be comforted, they will inherit the earth, they will be filled, they will be shown mercy, they will see God, they will be called sons of God. What else could any person desire?
Dear disciple, Jesus has pronounced: the kingdom of God has come! Jesus has invited you to know and experience the deepest and richest of kingdom blessings. He calls you to a way of life consistent with those blessings.
How can you know if He is speaking to you? Let me ask you. As far as you understand them, do you desire the blessings I listed above? And for yourself, do you desire to be poor in spirit, one who mourns, one who is meek, one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, one who is merciful, one who is pure in heart, one who is a peacemaker, one who is persecuted, not for sinful and harmful actions, but because of your association with Jesus? Indeed, do you desire to be a disciple of Jesus the King? Then these beatitudes are for you. |
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