All The King’s Men
Matt. 5:1-12 (SOTM #1)
4/15/07
PSCOC
Introduction: Two opposite kingdoms.
The nation of Israel wants to raise their popularity in the world, particularly among 35 and under American men. Some people have decided that the holy relics of Israel do not generally appeal to this group of people, so they decided instead to invite the magazine Maxim to do a photo shoot of scantily clad beautiful Israeli women. So, men, allegedly, will see the magazine and automatically have a higher opinion of Israel. Some protest this approach, insisting that what makes Israel unique is that is the only place where you “can use a Bible as a tour book.” The final words of the article were, “The reality of Israel is often having to choose: go with the girl, or go with God.”
The story presents two vastly different world views. One way is clearly the way of the secular world. The other is God-focused. They represent two different worldviews, two different kingdoms. We only fool ourselves when we attempt to live in both.
The beatitudes of Matt. 5 are about the kingdom of Jesus. They describe a worldview that is completely opposed to the kingdoms of this world. Jesus makes it clear that there is no middle ground (read text). You cannot choose to live in both kingdoms. Either you will embrace his kingdom and its radical call, or you will accept the status quo of the worldly kingdoms. It is important that we understood the beatitudes as more than just pithy abstract statements. What do they mean in our lives? How can we live them out? Are we willing to live them out, if they are too radical? These are the questions we must consider, over and against, the offer of this world’s kingdom.
Move 1: The secular beatitudes.
What would the beatitudes of our world sound like? I’m no poet, but using the same form provided by Matthew, they may sound something like this.
Blessed are those with inexhaustible bank accounts, for theirs are the possessions and choices of the world.
Blessed are those who do not trouble themselves with the world’s problems, for they will need no comfort.
Blessed are those that take whatever they can when they can, for they will be hailed as opportunists.
Blessed are those that never know the cravings of hunger and thirst, for they will always be satisfied.
Blessed are those that do not concern themselves with the problems of others, for they will never be taken advantage of.
Blessed are the manipulators, for they have no need for God to achieve their desired end.
Blessed are the violent and the troublemakers, for they shall use conflict to further their ends.
Blessed are those that are popular and well liked by everyone, for they shall always be protected from insult, humiliation, and harm.
You see instantly how the ways of the world are the complete opposite of the ways of Christ. Maybe some really are fine with a worldview that is all about self, but even then, this kingdom cannot make good on its promises. Living this way leads to misery, because there is no satisfaction that lasts, because you can never be at peace taking advantage of others. For you will always fear being taken advantage of. To always be full of food and drink leads to an early death. To not care for others is not to be cared for.
Satan makes promises he cannot keep. He once told Jesus that he would give him all the kingdoms of the world, if he would only bow down to him. It would’ve been easier than the way of the cross. But Jesus knew the only true joy exists in worshipping and doing the will of his Father alone. This is a might makes right world, survival of the fittest, only the strong survive reality. The problem is that there is always someone stronger than you. There is always someone better at using others and this world to achieve their ends. There is no security. There is no peace. This all begins to make Jesus’ kingdom sound like the more attractive choice, but wait a minute! You need to know what you are getting into when you make that choice.
Move 2: The beatitudes of Jesus.
Everyone is flocking to Jesus. He is healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching interesting ideas. The crowds are large and Jesus is popular. In the beginning of chpt. 5, there is a subtle but important move that we need to note. Jesus sees the crowd and he climbs one of the Galilean hills. It is not the crowds that climb up after him. It is his disciples (v. 1). Jesus is making a move of separation. Who will climb a little ways to hear my teachings? What follows is directed especially at those that have chosen to follow him, not just get healed.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit.
It is not simply saying that God will bless them, but it is acknowledgment of their choices or demeanor. Happy is also an acceptable translation, if we understand that Jesus is not speaking of an emotion, but of a state of life. ‘Poor in spirit’ are those that know their need for God. They have renounced all claims on this world and have fully cast their lot with Jesus. They have no power, no resources, save Jesus alone. Yes, there were those with power in the religious realms, but the disciples have relinquished any hold of control, and are content to be “poor in spirit.” The “kingdom of heaven” is a promise of both a future reality and present expectation. The kingdom is not a location, but the reign of God. The one who has relinquished all to depend on God, their heart is freed for God to reign there.
- Blessed are those who mourn.
While Jesus is certainly a comfort to those bereaved, the idea here is probably more mourning for the state of the world, like Jesus weeping for Jerusalem. The disciples do not overlook the suffering of the world or detach themselves from reality. They mourn over violence, perversion, sickness, and death. They do not pretend that all is well when so much is wrong. It is a paradox. “Happy are those that mourn.” The disciple cares for what God cares for, and in that is happiness. And because of that they find the comfort of God.
- Blessed are meek.
Similar to the “poor in spirit,” but here means primarily humility. It is the refusal to live by the power grab. It is the refusal to insist on your rights or arrogantly promote your self-interest. Jesus is the perfect demonstration. “Who being the very nature of God did not consider equality something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…” It is the radical call to the renunciation of self. It is not weakness, but a demonstration of the sacrifice of self. They will “inherit the earth.” By refusing to grab what they could through power, God gives back to them all that they need as children living in the fullness of his kingdom today.
- Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Here the idea is not societal justice, but complete obedience to the will of God. It fits well with 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness…” It is refusal to gorge on the appetite of self, so that we might hunger and thirst for God himself. When we do, God does not disappoint our appetite.
- Blessed are the merciful.
(read Micah 6:8). The disciple is bound to show mercy to others, because he has experienced the superior mercy of God. He does not seek vengeance on those that have wronged him. He does not look at the homeless with disdain or ignore the sick. Mercy is not passive, but active. The disciple actively seeks to demonstrate God’s mercy through his own actions.
- Blessed are the pure in heart.
There is no false motivation or intention in the heart of the disciple. There is no hidden agenda or pretense. She loves and serves out of heart completely committed to God. She sees God through her heart in this life, but we will see God in reality in the next life.
- Blessed are the peacemakers.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When we make peace we reflect his nature. Therefore, it is only appropriate that we should be known as “sons of God” for we are like his Son when we participate in peace making. In response to the peace we have made with God, we actively try to share that peace with others.
- Blessed are the persecuted.
Jesus completes the cycle by ending w/the blessing of v. 3, but elaborates more specifically in v. 11, 12. This doesn’t make any sense to the world at all. We are to experience happiness when we are persecuted, slandered, and blasphemed against? Maybe we don’t want this kingdom after all. But the disciple sees persecution as simply deeper fellowship with Christ. That is his reward in this life, but even more so in the future life.
Move 3: Choosing a kingdom.
Jesus is telling his disciples what it will mean to be in his kingdom. He’s not describing eight different kinds of disciples. He’s describing one! This is the radical call of discipleship. This is the call to renounce not only the world, but to renounce self to follow Christ. It is to choose his kingdom over and above any other worldly kingdom. Jesus climbs the mountain, waits to his disciples draw near, and he drops the hammer.
He is saying that if you want to follow me, then you will no longer seek your own interest at the expense of mine nor others. You will live for me and serve others with no thought of how you might be rewarded, except as promised by me. Those promises are not based on this world, but on everlasting fellowship with the King and the promise of ultimate satisfaction in a way that the world cannot compete. The world can’t deliver on its promises. They are lies. God delivers on his every day. This is the life of the disciple.
Oswald Chambers said, “If you’ve never heard Jesus say a hard word, then you have never heard Jesus at all.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” So often we’ve turned these beatitudes into nice little sayings meant to pat us on the back. No! These lay the foundation of discipleship for those that really want to follow Jesus. You can go with the world and its rival kingdoms, or you can live in the kingdom of heaven, but you can’t do both. It is Jesus who calls. Will you answer?
Do you want to be comforted, an inheritor of the earth, filled, shown mercy? Do you want to see God, be called sons of God, and eternally dwell in the kingdom of heaven? Oh, the world can never compete with that, but does your commitment reflect the call of discipleship in this passage? How are you poor in spirit and meek? Do you mourn what God mourns? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? How do you demonstrate mercy? Are you pure in heart? Do you work for peace? Are you persecuted for Christ?
We are not these perfectly, but they should describe the kind of person we should be. When we are acting in a way inconsistent with the beatitudes, we should stop immediately and reverse course. It always amazes me that many questions in this world rather scream on a picket line and complain about their rights be violated instead of embodying the character of the disciple. Who do you think of among us? I think of Joani Guigere, who is dangerously ill right now. It is in the midst of her struggles that I’ve seen all of these qualities demonstrated. And you know what? I know that Jesus is going to uphold his promises to her. He offers them to you as well.
Invitation: Death to self = eternal life.
It is a strange paradox in Scripture that when we die to self we gain eternal life, but it is exactly the journey that Christ took. I will never lie to you. Following Christ will be the hardest thing you could ever imagine. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. He gives us his Spirit and each other. But it really is about who you find trustworthy: this world or Jesus Christ? I invite you to stand on the promises of Christ!
