Everybody knows about the Beatitudes. People think that Jesus’ blessings are so nice. But have you ever lived the Beatitudes? You might as well have a heart transplant, at least spiritually speaking. They are that transformational. The Beatitudes serve as Jesus’ introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. Imagine the scene: a large crowd is gathered on the side of a grassy hill. Jesus stands above them on the hill. The Twelve are there, as well as many others who have believed and are now following Jesus. Also there, standing on the outside of the crowd are skeptics, doubters, and people just hanging around for the show. Then Jesus begins, “Blessed are…” We would expect Jesus to say, “…those that believe in me.” But instead He says, “…the poor in spirit.” Is Jesus saying that it is blessed to be poor? To mourn? These categories of people don’t seem blessed to us. Our idea of blessing is very different. At least in terms of timing… We want happiness now. Possessions now. Reward now. The key to understanding the Beatitudes is this: Jesus is talking to His followers. It’s not because they are poor that they are blessed, it’s because they are followers of Christ. And even though they are poor, they are blessed. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” If we know “our deep, spiritual poverty” before God, if we are humble, one day, as followers of Christ, we will possess God’s kingdom. “Blessed are those who mourn,” who mourn for sin and its effects on the earth, who hurt (for the right things). They will one day be “comforted” with the hope of Heaven, the way it’s supposed to be. “Blessed are the meek,” not the weak or cowardly, but the gentle, the strong who have their power under control, those who have placed themselves under intentional submission to God. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Who desire to live right before God, following the example of Jesus Christ, who is perfect humanity. “Blessed are the merciful,” those who show grace and kindness towards those who don’t deserve it (like us).
“Blessed are the pure in heart,” those who are pure in attitude, in thought, and in desire. That purity may not be perfected until later, but is the standard even now. “Blessed are the peacemakers” who make peace between people, but more importantly between people and God. And “blessed are those who are persecuted.” Persecution seems out of our realm of experience but is very real for most followers of Christ in other parts of the world (and maybe someday also for us). According to Jesus’ definition, are we blessed? Are typical American Christians blessed? Are we poor in spirit, mourning, meek, pure in heart, and persecuted? Perhaps we are in need of heart transplants.