As I’ve had the chance to study Jesus’ beatitudes, I’ve been challenged by them afresh. I’m convinced that for a lot of my life, I read these blessings incorrectly. You might have too. If you’ve ever read the Beatitudes and thought, “I’m not sure I want that blessing,” you’re probably reading them wrong.
There are two primary ways I think we read these sayings of Jesus incorrectly. The first is we assume they’re commands. We read them, “Try to be poor in spirit,” or “Go out and get persecuted.” However, these are statements of the prevalent grace that’s a reality in God’s kingdom, not commands.
The other way we read them indirectly is by thinking the blessing is the first part of the statement when, in reality, the blessing comes second. Take Jesus’ second beatitude as an example. He said,
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
The blessing is not that one mourns, the blessing is that there is comfort available. The structure throughout vv. 3-12 works like this: blessed are [people who aren’t normally seen as blessed] for theirs is [hidden blessing available in the kingdom].
This got me thinking, if Jesus were standing in front of our church giving the beatitudes today, what might he say? I tried to write some modern-day beatitudes using the same pattern Jesus used. Here’s my attempt at capturing beatitude blessings in our modern world.
Blessed are people caught in the middle of election turmoil for they see the true kingdom.
Blessed are those whose marriage almost falls apart for their eyes are open to the gift of covenantal love.
Blessed are those faithfully struggling with their sexuality for they experience intimacy with Jesus.
Blessed are those who have cancer because their eyes are opened to see the true value of life.
Blessed are those who hit rock bottom because they find their true foundation.
Blessed are those caught in corporate downsizing because their golden handcuffs are shattered and the world reopens.
Blessed are those who are disoriented and disappointed with the way life is going because their spiritual eyes are opened.
Blessed are those whose plans for their life fall apart because they are freed to genuinely and completely trust God.
Blessed are those who slow down because they experience the good parts of life.
I’m not sure what you are walking through right now, but I know that if you’ve repented and walked into Jesus’ kingdom (Mt. 4:17), you are blessed. Yes, you’re blessed even in the situation you’d love to get out of. That was Jesus’ original message at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, and it’s his message today also.
Take some time today and write some of your own beatitudes. Make them personal and ask Jesus to speak to you as you write them.
Pastor Ryan Paulson