One of the reasons the Sermon on the Mount in general and the Beatitudes in particular continues to confound people today is because they do not buy into the logics of this world. They do not fit into the way we think about politics or religion, but rather point to what God is like and, in doing so, to what true religion entails. They paint a picture of what the followers of Jesus are to be about, rather than what we would like to see happen. In doing so, they turn our expectations upside down about life in God’s kingdom.
This is another reason why Beatitudes confound us as well: the Beatitudes are tough because they represent a kind of speech that does what it says and fulfills what it promises. It’s why the two most important words in the Beatitudes are the words “are” and “will.” Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. And so forth.
Jesus wants us to know who the persons are God is blessing. God blesses people, and not just any people but people who are hurting, who are humble, who are working for peace, or who are poor in spirit.
Why? Because that’s what God does; that’s who God is! It is in God’s very character to act in such ways: to bless those who are hurting or who are striving for righteousness; because that’s exactly what God is doing: God is also working for peace and righteousness.
That’s the good news of the kingdom: Jesus is announcing to those who are suffering or who are serving in the kingdom that God is making his strength and his mercy generously available, with all the benefits of his grace.
How are we seeking to be the kind of people who announce what God is doing and then fulfill what God promises? How will be the people God shapes into God’s kingdom purposes?
Pastor Andy Kinsey
This is another reason why Beatitudes confound us as well: the Beatitudes are tough because they represent a kind of speech that does what it says and fulfills what it promises. It’s why the two most important words in the Beatitudes are the words “are” and “will.” Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. And so forth.
Jesus wants us to know who the persons are God is blessing. God blesses people, and not just any people but people who are hurting, who are humble, who are working for peace, or who are poor in spirit.
Why? Because that’s what God does; that’s who God is! It is in God’s very character to act in such ways: to bless those who are hurting or who are striving for righteousness; because that’s exactly what God is doing: God is also working for peace and righteousness.
That’s the good news of the kingdom: Jesus is announcing to those who are suffering or who are serving in the kingdom that God is making his strength and his mercy generously available, with all the benefits of his grace.
How are we seeking to be the kind of people who announce what God is doing and then fulfill what God promises? How will be the people God shapes into God’s kingdom purposes?
Pastor Andy Kinsey
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