Flourishing by Following: Blessed Are You (Matthew 5:1-12)
Introduction
Who is truly happy? Who is living the good life? We often look to the wealthy, the powerful, and the famous. We envision the good life as having a penthouse view, a corner office, and a life free of hardship. We tend to be happiest when our bank accounts are full, and our doctors only deliver good news. However, Jesus, at the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, offers a radically different perspective. He challenges our very understanding of flourishing, of what it truly means to live a good and virtuous life. He does this in Matthew 5:1-12, a passage known as the Beatitudes.
Passage
Matthew 5:1-12, “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Jesus’ Strange Answer
Jesus’ words are profound and paradoxical. His answer to the question of happiness is unsettling. It is important we acknowledge that the vocabulary and sentence structure of the Beatitudes is not unique to Jesus. Similar constructions are found in ancient Hebrew wisdom literature and Greek philosophy. This form of speech (identified by its vocabulary and linguistic patterns) was intended to answer the question of who is truly happy and living a good and virtuous life. Although Jesus’ language is similar, His answer is revolutionary. He answers the question of who is truly happy, who is flourishing, in a way that completely subverts our expectations. He paints a picture of happiness that seems, on the surface, paradoxical. The poor, the mourners, the meek, the hungry, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted—these don’t sound like winners, do they? They sound like…losers.
But that is precisely the point. Jesus deliberately chooses language that contradicts our cultural understanding of human flourishing. He doesn't describe a luxurious lifestyle, the accumulation of wealth, or the absence of suffering as markers of true happiness. Instead, he highlights qualities and experiences that often accompany hardship and adversity. The key lies in the “for” clauses that follow each beatitude. These “for” statements—grounding clauses—unveil the counterintuitive truth behind Jesus' definition of flourishing.
Big Idea: Now is not always.
In each ground clause of verses 4 through 9, the statements that follow the “for,” we see an emphasis on the future blessings of God. Those who are truly happy, those who are truly flourishing, live as if their present circumstances are not the final word. They understand that the present moment, though filled with challenges, is only a part of a larger, more significant narrative, one orchestrated by a loving and compassionate God, which ends with an epoch grand finale. This doesn’t mean that our happiness is only a future hope. The Beatitudes reveal a happiness that can be enjoyed in the present but is primarily grounded in the future that God promises us.
Happiness Now
Let's explore the present happiness taught in the Beatitudes. Note that verses 3 and 10 are written in the present tense—“theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This indicates an immediate, present experience of belonging, a current reality for the poor in spirit and the persecuted. They already enjoy the benefits of living under God’s saving reign, experiencing Him as their loving King and Father. Furthermore, each of the Beatitudes begins with a declaration of “blessedness.” Jesus describes the current state of His followers.
The word translated as “blessed” can also mean “happy” or “flourishing.” I believe the term “flourishing” best captures the full meaning of the Greek. Regardless of how we translate this word, we must recognize that Jesus is speaking about the present experience of those who embody these characteristics. They can feel a sense of happiness now, but their full experience of happiness will come later. This hope for the future brings present happiness. It’s like the joy you feel when your girlfriend says yes to your marriage proposal; you are filled with joy in that moment, and the promise of your future wedding day enhances your joy. Jesus emphasizes that the source of our present happiness is found in the future; this is made clear by the future tense verbs in six of the eight Beatitudes.
Hope and Happiness
Jesus used a grammatical structure called an “inclusio.” I like to refer to an “inclusio” as an “Oreo” construction. The construction follows an A-B-A pattern or a chocolate-vanilla-chocolate. The “vanilla filling” of our "Oreo," verses 4-9, describes the future hope that awaits those who embody these characteristics. They will receive something from God. Let’s consider each one individually:
The Poor in Spirit: The Greek word for “poor” here implies not a mere lack of material possessions but a deep awareness of one's spiritual poverty. This word is connected to the concept of “begging.” It speaks of recognizing one’s utter dependence on God’s grace, acknowledging our moral bankruptcy, and pleading for His mercy. This isn't weakness; it's humility, a foundation for true spiritual growth. One who is “poor in spirit” recognizes their need for God’s forgiveness and restoration. This connects with both Jesus’ and John the Baptist's early teaching in the Gospel of Matthew, where they both said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 and 4:17). Repentance, turning from sin, must first start with an acknowledgment of spiritual poverty or brokenness within oneself. This confession is the key to entering the kingdom of God.
Those Who Mourn: This isn’t simply grieving personal loss. It’s a lament over the pervasive effects of sin, both in the world and within ourselves. This mourning aligns with the prophetic lament found in Isaiah 61, a passage Jesus himself cites as fulfilled in his ministry. The mourning cited in Isaiah was a response to the negative consequence that came on Israel as punishment for their sins. This type of mourning is a recognition of brokenness and a longing for redemption. Those who mourn this way will be comforted by God when He fully rescues them from the harmful effects of evil.
The Meek: Meekness is not weakness; it’s strength under control. It’s a gentle yielding to God’s will, a prioritizing of others’ well-being over self-advancement. It’s a rejection of the aggressive pursuit of power that often defines worldly success. Usually, those who gain “land” do so by asserting their power. Jesus says here that those who are gentle to their neighbor will inherit, emphasizing God’s gift and not man’s efforts, the earth.
Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness: The term “righteousness” here should not be understood as justice. The emphasis here is not on those who long for a just society, which is a good thing, but instead it’s on those who long to see their personal behavior align with God’s will. This type of righteousness fits the context of verse 20, which speaks of a “righteousness” that exceeds that of “the scribes and Pharisees.” Notice how Jesus says God will satisfy this hunger. Those with such a hunger will not fill their appetites. They cannot quench their thirst for moral transformation. God will ultimately transform their nature and satisfy this longing.
The Merciful: Jesus Himself emphasizes the connection between receiving and extending mercy. His parable in Matthew 18:21-35 highlights the profound impact of forgiveness, both in receiving and giving it. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus points out that the servant, who was unwilling to forgive a debt owed to him, first missed the true weight of the debt his king had forgiven him. Those who see the degree of mercy extended to them, which the “poor in spirit” do, will gladly extend mercy to those who have offended them. Seeing our own need for mercy will inevitably cause us to see and empathize with the need of others for mercy. Those who correctly weigh the need for mercy in themselves and others will experience God’s mercy on the day of judgment.
The Pure in Heart: Purity of heart is the standard of righteousness in the rest of Jesus’ sermon. Righteousness starts with the motives and intents of the heart, which then express themselves in acts of love. Purity of heart is the promise of the new covenant. God told the prophets he would remove the heart of stone from his people (Ezekiel 36:26) and write his law on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). Those who experience such an inward spiritual transformation will see God, experience his presence fully, in the new heavens and earth.
The Peacemakers: These are not merely peacekeepers who maintain the status quo. They are active agents of reconciliation, seeking to resolve conflict and bring harmony, even if it means facing opposition or persecution. Those who try to pursue peace will be ridiculed and called many profane names. Yet those fowl names will drown in the volume of God’s voice on the final day when He will say, “Well done.”
The Persecuted: Those persecuted for righteousness' sake find present gladness in knowing they belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. Sometimes, you know you are on the right path, not by those who applaud you, but rather by those who revile you. But even this persecution is viewed within the context of God's greater purpose and holds the promise of future reward.
Conclusion
The Beatitudes, therefore, reveal a profound truth about happiness and flourishing. They aren’t a recipe for avoiding suffering but a guide for navigating it with hope and faith. They're a promise that even in the midst of hardship, God's presence and His ultimate plan provide profound and enduring joy. “Now is not always.” Our present struggles, disappointments, and even our pain are temporary. God’s power and His compassionate work will ultimately triumph. Hope, unwavering hope in God’s promises, is the key to unlocking true happiness now.
Steps
I must confess that I get caught up in the anxieties of the present and lose sight of the eternal perspective. It is so easy for me to fall victim to the feelings of fear that overwhelm me when my current circumstances look bleak. I need the Lord to open my eyes to the spiritual reality of His presence and the certainty of His promises. I will be comforted, inherit the earth, be satisfied, receive mercy, see God, and be called a son of God. My prayer this week for myself and you is that God will make us aware of His presence and increase our confidence in the truthfulness of His promises.
Perhaps you're looking for genuine happiness, a life with purpose and meaning. Perhaps you feel a longing for something more than what the world offers. Understand that without hope, true happiness is elusive. We all know things should be better, but how can we be sure they will be better? Can humanity solve its own problems? Can you be your own hero? Christians are spiritual beggars, acknowledging their need for God's grace. We don’t shy away from the idea of spiritual poverty. Before we can follow Jesus, we must come to the end of ourselves. We must die to the idea of being the hero. That first step is difficult, but it is the most liberating confession you will ever make.
Life Level Application
Head: The message points out that the Beatitudes describe individuals who might be considered “losers” by worldly standards. Identify one specific beatitude that challenges your preconceived notions of happiness or flourishing. Explain why it challenges you.
Heart: Read Psalm 1. According to this Psalm, who experiences the “blessed” or good life? How does the psalmist contrast the experiences of the “blessed” and “wicked”? How does this Psalm relate to the teaching of Jesus in the Beatitudes?
Hand: Read Matthew 18:21-35. How does understanding your own need for mercy affect your ability to show mercy to others? How can you practically extend mercy to someone who has wronged you?
Habit: Choose one beatitude (verses 4-9) and explain how the future blessing promised connects to the present characteristic described. How might anticipating this future blessing affect your present actions and attitude?