Introduction
Within the context of this passage we are faced with the dichotomous pull of the glorious in-breaking kingdom of heaven, where Jesus proclaims the character of kingdom dweller, and the brokenness of the present world, where sin still besets men and women. Perhaps the listeners of the day, as we do today, sat and pondered, “Am I in the kingdom of heaven or am I out?” Scot McKnight rightly identifies that the Beatitudes are a sweeping “manifesto of a kingdom way of life.” In proclaiming the characteristics of kingdom dwellers, not only does Jesus flip the table on his listeners’ image of the kingdom, but also he largely identifies those who are “in” and those who are not. It was critical for the listeners as it is for the readers …show more content…
Matthew 5:3-6, and frankly all of the beatitudes, progressively builds upon each another. For example, those that hunger and thirst for the righteous of God will not do so if they are not first meek (or humble) and mourn the gravity of sin. Likewise, those who are meek and mourn sin will not do so if they are not first poor in spirit knowing the fallen reality in which the live before a holy God. As such, the disposition of disciples of Jesus should be that of a man or women of poverty, humbled, mourning, hungering and thirsting. Humbled by the grace of God. Mourning the present reality of sin, death, and evil. Hungering and thirsting after the things of God. Lastly, although this state of poverty before is mostly spiritual, there is a physical reality that flows out from the spiritual reality. Namely, those who are financially, emotionally, and physically poor more often understand their need for something greater than themselves (Matt. …show more content…
John Stott comments on a disciple being persecuted for the sake of God’s righteousness, “We are not to retaliate like an unbeliever, nor to sulk like a child, nor to lick our wounds in self-pity like a dog, nor just to grin and bear it like a Stoic, still less to pretend we enjoy it like a masochist.” What is one to do then? Rejoice and be glad! How can one undertake such a demanding command? Jesus promises, “your reward is great in heaven.” Though we may loss everything on earth, even our dignity, there is a great reward in heaven. Not a reward of good merit, but a reward what was promised and given freely, a reward beyond any earthly means or enjoyment, namely to be with Christ in the glory of God where there is no more tears, no more pain, no more mourning, and where all things have been made new even us (Col. 3:1-3; Rev. 21). Furthermore, “persecution is a token of genuineness, a certificate of Christian authenticity, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.” In this we stand persecuted alongside our faithful brothers and sisters of antiquity who were persecuted “for righteousness’
Within the context of this passage we are faced with the dichotomous pull of the glorious in-breaking kingdom of heaven, where Jesus proclaims the character of kingdom dweller, and the brokenness of the present world, where sin still besets men and women. Perhaps the listeners of the day, as we do today, sat and pondered, “Am I in the kingdom of heaven or am I out?” Scot McKnight rightly identifies that the Beatitudes are a sweeping “manifesto of a kingdom way of life.” In proclaiming the characteristics of kingdom dwellers, not only does Jesus flip the table on his listeners’ image of the kingdom, but also he largely identifies those who are “in” and those who are not. It was critical for the listeners as it is for the readers …show more content…
Matthew 5:3-6, and frankly all of the beatitudes, progressively builds upon each another. For example, those that hunger and thirst for the righteous of God will not do so if they are not first meek (or humble) and mourn the gravity of sin. Likewise, those who are meek and mourn sin will not do so if they are not first poor in spirit knowing the fallen reality in which the live before a holy God. As such, the disposition of disciples of Jesus should be that of a man or women of poverty, humbled, mourning, hungering and thirsting. Humbled by the grace of God. Mourning the present reality of sin, death, and evil. Hungering and thirsting after the things of God. Lastly, although this state of poverty before is mostly spiritual, there is a physical reality that flows out from the spiritual reality. Namely, those who are financially, emotionally, and physically poor more often understand their need for something greater than themselves (Matt. …show more content…
John Stott comments on a disciple being persecuted for the sake of God’s righteousness, “We are not to retaliate like an unbeliever, nor to sulk like a child, nor to lick our wounds in self-pity like a dog, nor just to grin and bear it like a Stoic, still less to pretend we enjoy it like a masochist.” What is one to do then? Rejoice and be glad! How can one undertake such a demanding command? Jesus promises, “your reward is great in heaven.” Though we may loss everything on earth, even our dignity, there is a great reward in heaven. Not a reward of good merit, but a reward what was promised and given freely, a reward beyond any earthly means or enjoyment, namely to be with Christ in the glory of God where there is no more tears, no more pain, no more mourning, and where all things have been made new even us (Col. 3:1-3; Rev. 21). Furthermore, “persecution is a token of genuineness, a certificate of Christian authenticity, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.” In this we stand persecuted alongside our faithful brothers and sisters of antiquity who were persecuted “for righteousness’