In the weeks after Christmas, we are in the season of Epiphany. This begins with the arrival of the Magi which we consider the first glimpse of God’s incarnation to the world.
As we continue our series, we move from Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth to Matthew’s Gospel, the Sermon on the Mount, and (as it’s commonly known) the Beatitudes. In his sermon, Jesus pushes against the common wisdom of both the past and present in naming those who are blessed. While past and present culture suggests that having riches is a blessing, Jesus says it is the poor in spirit who are blessed. While past and present culture suggests that those who wield the most power are blessed, Jesus says it is the merciful and the peacemakers.
Once again, Jesus turns the world—our perceptions, our assumptions, our expectations, our theologies, our worldviews—upside down. Jesus challenges us to radically change our perspective. It seems clear that we continue to resist this perspective today.
Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSVue)
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Consider these questions:
- How do the “blessed” statements in the first half of verses three through twelve relate to the promises in the second half of the verses?
- How are verses 3 and 10 related?
- How are Jesus’ words in this section describing what disciples already do? How are Jesus’ words saying what disciples should do?
- Glance through the rest of the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7). How does this passage introduce and prepare for the rest of what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount?
- How do the qualities described in this passage compare with qualities that are often most valued in our society?
- Who do you know that best exemplifies the qualities of the Beatitudes?