From Matthew 5:1-11 / The Beatitudes – 3 things to note: a. The eschatological nature of the blessedness in each case here: “shall” is the underlying reality of the Kingdom. I am blessed now, as I look forward to what “shall be” in the fullness of the Kingdom. Keep looking forward and fixing your hope there – not here. b. Jesus did NOT say (as is commonly taught by some) that the poor in spirit, or those who mourn are blessed BECAUSE they are in such condition – but rather that such conditions are not antithetical to the true blessedness which comes from being a citizen of the Kingdom. This flew in the face of a theological tradition which positively equated external blessings with assurance of God’s favor (spiritually) and external hardships as evidence of sin and divine disfavor. The Law of Moses did indeed promise external blessings as a fruit of obedience. But as Israel’s history shows and the prophets constantly revealed – God was never pleased with mere external obedience, rewarding it with Pavlovian treats. When their hearts were far from Him, irrespective of their ceremonial scrupulousness, He rebuked them. God’s external blessings were often poured out and sustained in the very face of Israel’s gross disobedience. Such mercy is meant to lead to repentance (Rom. 2:4) – to the revelation that God does not anger easily and favors very quickly. Here in this sermon, Jesus clears up the mystery once and for all. Blessedness itself is not located in the external. Externals sometimes reflect chastening (when negative), but more often than not – mercy and grace. There is not a one-for-one inverse correspondence which allows us to automatically read external blessings as God being pleased with us – or hardships as His necessarily being displeased, on a personal scale. Other dynamics are at work. Daniel was in captivity not due to his own sins primarily (he was not perfect), but those of his nation and forefathers. He suffered with them as part of them, though not a partaker in their deviance from God. We are to locate our sense of blessedness in being Christ’s. Being reconciled to God by His blood. Being washed from our sins and guilt – forgiven. In the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In anticipation of the fullness of the Kingdom. In this light, blessed are we – no matter what we may be enduring. c. Note too how the character of God in Christ is so wonderfully revealed here:

1. There is no ego in God. Jesus did not think His equality with the Father as something to be latched on to. He was poor in spirit.

2. God mourns our sinfulness. Yes there is anger. Yes there is holy judgment. But oh how there is a grief over our sin and what it has done to us.

3. Who is more meek and humble than Jesus, totally surrendered to the Father’s will, and never thrusting Himself forward to be over others?

4. Note the sole appetite in God for holiness. He has no taste for sin, and yearns for it in us.

5. How He is compassionate toward us in our suffering the results of our own sin. Merciful!

6. He is absolutely pure in heart. There is no darkness in Him at all.

7. He makes peace with Himself for us, at the immeasurable cost of His Son.

8. There is none so falsely accused, misunderstood and blamed as the truthful, radiant, ever sinless God. He has been persecuted for righteousness since the Fall, the apex of which is found in the cross.