Ephesians 1.11-23; Luke 6: 20-31 The Beatitudes
This morning we’re going to be thinking about a section of Jesus’ teaching called the ‘beatitudes’. Does anyone know what ‘beatitudes’ means? (Pause). Well, it comes from the Latin word meaning “blessing”. Basically, they describe what it means to live as a follower of Jesus. They show us the difference between what the world thinks is important and what God thinks is important.
In our reading from Luke’s gospel, we see a large crowd following Jesus and his disciples. They had come from the surrounding towns and villages. Many were sick and reached out to touch Jesus. We also learn that many received healing from him. And while all this is happening, Jesus stops and begins to teach them a special message that we call the ‘beatitudes’.
I wonder if you noticed that Jesus’ words seems to be contradictory or opposite to each other in our Gospel reading. We’ll think about that a bit more in just a moment, but the first thing for us to understand is how God wants us to live and act is usually opposite to how the world wants us to live and act.
Influencers on social media and adverts constantly tell us to get the next new thing or try another wonder product so you’ll look super cool or you must get the latest phone otherwise you’re missing out. Its non-stop.
But, all this counts for nothing in God’s kingdom. Jesus is not interested in what you have or don’t have or how many likes you got on your latest tik-tok or Facebook post.
He is far more concerned about what’s going in your heart. And he longs for you to be part of his family.
So, the first thing to notice is that there are four sets of blessings (v20-23) contrasted with four sets of warnings (v24-26).
Jesus begins by saying blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who weep and those who are excluded and persecuted. This does not sound like your typical list of blessings, does it? In fact, you might think this is a very odd list.
But what does it mean to be blessed? (Pause…wait for responses).
If we’re totally honest, a lot of the time we connect the word ‘blessed, or blessing’ with happiness, good fortune, wealth, status. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with any of that. But when the bible uses the word blessed (Greek makarios) it has a deeper meaning. It is more than superficial or material possessions. It is more than what we might think of as the good life.
The word blessed in the bible is very closely connected to the sense of God’s presence being with you. It means to be in a right relationship with God who loves more than we’ll ever know, and cares deeply for us.
To be blessed is to be keenly aware of God’s living presence with us. It doesn’t mean that life will be easy-peasy – no troubles or struggles.
Rather it means that even in the middle of our problems and challenges, we are assured of God’s presence with us and this gives us hope and purpose in life.
Notice that in each of these blessings, the struggle comes with a promise of reversal in God’s kingdom. So, the hungry will be filled, those who are weeping will be filled with laughter, the persecuted and rejected will rejoice.
Of course, Jesus is not saying that we need to give-up everything. He’s not saying we need to go looking for trouble and put ourselves in harms way because somehow that means we’ll get extra blessings from him. No, that is absolutely not what he’s saying.
What he is saying is that when you feel like all is lost, when life is tough, when you don’t get invited to that friend’s party or you’re not picked to be on the team, when people are uncaring and say nasty things about you, then remember that Jesus still loves and cares for you. He hasn’t given up on you. He promises to never leave you or forsake you. His ultimate promise is that one day, all of this will be reversed and we’ll get to live with him forever.
But in the present time, as Jesus’ disciples, he wants to us to be channels of his blessing to those around us. We can help those in need in practical and prayerful ways. We can give food or money to help the hungry, we can offer comfort to those who weep by sending a card or a text or by visiting or by a quick call. In these ways we can offer care and friendship which will help bring laughter and joy in the midst of pain and suffering. And as we do this, we are living out God’s blessing in the here and now.
Jesus goes on to contrast the blessings with a series of warnings. The Message paraphrase by Eugene Patterson puts it really well. Let me read them to you:
24 But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get.
25 And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long.
And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games. There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.
26 There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
Jesus is challenging what the world views as success and the good life. A person who is only concerned about themselves and shows no care or regards for God or others will ultimately lose it all. Nothing will satisfy them. Deep down there will always be a hunger; a longing for something more. And Jesus is clear that the only thing that will bring true satisfaction – true blessing – is knowing and being known by God.
To live as a child of God is to live the blessed life no matter what comes our way.
Closing prayer
Loving Lord, we ask that you would give us the grace to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus whatever we might face, secure in the truth of your word that we are loved, valued and kept by you until that day when we will see you face to face.
Amen.