The part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount commonly known as “The Beatitudes” have become familiar sayings to us, almost common place: “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” Because they are so familiar, we tend to forget or dismiss how subversive they really are, and how shocking they must have seemed to Jesus’ original audience.
When Jesus first spoke those “beatitudes”, he was using a familiar language context. “Beatitudes” were common sense sayings, expressing the conventional wisdom of the day. Perhaps they served a similar function to the kinds of proverbs we use today: “The early bird gets the worm”; “God helps those who help themselves.” These proverbs or sayings are supposed to state the truth of how things are.
The word ”beatitude” comes from the Latin beatus which means something close to a state of bliss — so sometimes the beatitudes are translated as “happy are those”. But the Greek word for “blessed” in the Matthew text is makarios, which could also mean “honored.” (For more on this, see this and that commentary).
You might know that ancient Jewish culture placed a lot of weight on honor versus shame. Being associated with the right family and people, and bringing honor to one’s family was everything to a Jewish person. Here, in the beatitudes, Jesus does what he likes to do: he turns the wisdom of the world upside down.
Jesus himself challenged assumptions of what a Messiah was supposed to look, be, and act like. He didn’t have a royal title, army, power, position of authority, or many possessions. His message was subversive: forgive your enemies, don’t throw stones or condemn, eat with sinners, turn the other cheek, heal on a Sabbath.
The followers of Jesus put themselves at risk for the same kind of persecution that Jesus endured, for not following the ways of the world. Many were disowned, rejected, ridiculed, and eventually imprisoned and killed. Yet Jesus says God’s favor is on them. It may not look like it to the world — but they are acting in the ways of the kingdom of God.
It’s important to note here that the beatitudes are not prescriptive. They are not meant as a rule (“be a peacemaker!”) or admonishment (“be happy when you are in this situation!”). Instead, they are descriptive of God’s favor, as in “God’s favor is with you, no matter what the world says.”
With this in mind, the beatitudes may be interpreted this way:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In the eyes of the world, you are worthless and powerless, but you are a child of God and the kingdom of God was made for you.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. You have suffered many losses because you’ve been steadfast in your commitment to advance the kingdom of God. In the eyes of the world, you’ve made a bad deal, but God is with you to the end.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. In the eyes of the world, it is important to assert yourself and get ahead, but with God you have all you need.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. In the eyes of the world, you will never make a difference to the unjust systems of the world, but God works in you and through you.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. In the eyes of the world, you get what you deserve, but with God you have infinite grace.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. In the eyes of the world, the seemingly pious and holy hold the authority, but God is close to those whose hearts are humble and full of grace.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. In the eyes of the world, you are foolish to work for the well-being of others, but when you work for peace you are demonstrating the very character of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. In the eyes of the world, you are a threat that must be destroyed or rejected, but you are manifesting the kingdom of God. In the eyes of the world, you are foolish to risk yourself for the gospel, but the God who called you is faithful to the end.
Being a follower of Jesus means being faithful to the Spirit’s call, even when it challenges conventional wisdom. God is with us.