The Beatitudes

Matthew 5: 1-12 (January 30, 2011)

1) The Text

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then 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 righteousness’ sake, 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. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2) The Context

Matthew arranges Jesus’ teaching in five blocks: The Sermon on the Mount, chapters 5-7; Directions to his disciples, chapter 10; Parables of the kingdom, chapter 13; Sayings on greatness and forgiveness, chapter 18; and Sayings and parables about the end times, chapters 24, 25.

Verses 3-12 in Chapter 5 are known as the Beatitudes, from the Latin for blessed. To be “blessed” is to be happy. All the qualities are expected of the faithful, for the consequence is the same: they will enjoy God’s end-time rule. They will attain (and are attaining) eternal life. The “poor in spirit” (v. 3) are detached from wealth and dependent on God alone. Those who “mourn” (v. 4) the reign of evil forces on earth will be “comforted” and strengthened in the Kingdom. The “meek” (v. 5), people who do not press for personal advantage, will share in God’s rule. Those who “hunger” (v. 6, who ardently pursue God’s will and purpose for his people), and do so single-mindedly and sincerely, “the pure in heart” (v. 8), will come to know God intimately (“see God”). The “merciful” (v. 7) are those who pardon and love others (especially the poor). The “peacemakers” (v. 9), those who seek shalom, the total state of well-being God provides through Christ, “will be called children of God”, for they share in God’s work. Finally vv. 10-12: those spreading the good news, striving to reconcile the world to God, will be persecuted because of the message they carry (as were the Old Testament “prophets”). They too should “rejoice and be glad” for God will reward them.

Although Jesus' teaching in chapters 5-7 seems to be addressed only to the disciples (vv. 1b-2), there are also indications that it was also for the "crowds". The Sermon begins with Jesus seeing the crowds (5:1). It ends with the statement, "Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching,." (7:28). The word "crowd" (ochlos) does not occur anywhere else in the sermon. In the verse just before today’s text, we are told, "Great crowds followed (akoloutheo) him ...." (4:25). In the verse just after the Sermon, we are told, "... great crowds followed him (8:1). Prior to this, the only ones who had followed Jesus, were the four fishermen he had called (4:20, 22). This suggests that the Sermon was not just for the 12 "disciples", but intended for all who "follow" Jesus.

3) Interpretation

The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12) begin the body of material referred to as the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). It is important to ponder the nature of Jesus’ original audience because audience is integral to understanding a speaker’s meaning. Did Jesus speak to the crowds or to his smaller circle of followers? The content of the sermon seems to assume a commitment to life under the reign of God; it would be difficult to argue that Jesus’ teachings were or are for the general public, to be implemented in the larger arena of civic and social networks. Jesus is addressing his followers. But it seems that the disciples are being taught in the context of a larger audience. The presence of the multitudes keeps the disciples honest as to who they are and what price is to be paid for their commitments. The crowds serve also to remind the reader that the invitation to join the circle of disciples is always open provided we are willing to submit to the discipline of God’s reign. After all, the church is a community and it is always open to and aware of the world.

Even more important for understanding Matthew 5:1-12 is an understanding of what a beatitude is. A beatitude is a blessing or announcement of God’s favor. Of the 44 in the New Testament, the vast majority occur in Matthew and Luke. In the Old Testament, most of the beatitudes occur in Psalms and in Wisdom literature. Beatitudes can be translated "Happy are those who" or "How fortunate are those who." However, it is more appropriate to translate Jesus’ words so as to convey God’s favorable behavior toward those addressed. Hence, "blessed" or "favored of God are those who" conveys the understanding that such favor is both present and future.

Very important, then, is the recognition that the beatitudes appear at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, before a single instruction is given, before there has been time for obedience or disobedience. If the blessings were only for the deserving, they would be stated at the end of the sermon, probably prefaced with, "If you have done all these things." But being at the beginning, they say that God’s favor precedes all our endeavors. All our efforts at kingdom living are in response to divine grace, motivated by "because of," not "in order to."

Finally, and most important to the reader of Matthew 5:1-12, God’s favor is granted to those whom society regards as the ones left behind: the poor in spirit, the meek, etc. On these Jesus pronounces God’s congratulations, with these God identifies in Jesus, to these comes the Good News of God’s interceding grace. What a reversal of values and fortunes! Many of these are victims, to be sure, but the beatitudes deliver them from a victim mentality. Those who in the face of violence, oppression, abuse and neglect continue to turn the other cheek, go the second mile and share possessions even with accusers are not really victims. They are in a very real and profound sense victors, set free to live by hearing Jesus extend to them the beatitude of God.

4) Thought Exercise

We might not be able to fully live the Beatitudes today. But that is not the point. Like any ideal of happiness, the road is as important as the destination. Striving to live the Beatitudes day by day opens us to God.

How do you cultivate the ways of living that Jesus speaks about in the Beatitudes?