Living the Beatitudes

Their jaws dropped. Never had the Jews heard teaching like that of Jesus. It was not just the content of His teaching, but the way He spoke. The gospel writers tell us that Jesus spoke with authority, not like the scribes (Jewish teachers).

The beatitudes found in Matthew 5 differ from those found in Luke 6. That suggests that Jesus used beatitudes in His teaching on multiple occasions. The Greek word for beatitude was originally used in reference to the Greek gods. It described a state of other-worldly bliss, having a carefree and joyful existence free from work, hardship and anxiety. Later on beatitudes were used to describe great men after their death, still later, in reference to those whose existence in this life was, in one way or another, like the life of the gods.

So, a beatitude might be applied to the wealthy: Blissful are the wealthy for they are free from life’s troubles. Not all beatitudes had an extended explanation like those of Jesus: Blissful are parents who have good children. Beatitudes were spoken in praise of a person because of something truly wonderful in his/her life.

Jesus flipped the beatitudes upside down and that absolutely stunned His listeners. Of course, it was with good reason. His beatitudes were true, unlike the beatitudes of His day.

Until Jesus, beatitudes generally came from a purely human point of view. Even the earliest beatitudes were based on a human perception of the Greek gods. By extension people believed that human life would be full of bliss if only…

• If only, I had great wealth;
• If only, I had a position of power;
• If only, I was full of wisdom;
• If only, I had the perfect wife;
• If only, I had many children;
• If only, I had a superior education;
• If only, I had fame;
• If only, I possessed something great;

If only….

Jesus’ beatitudes exalt the poor, those who mourn for the lost, the gentle, those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness. His beatitudes left His listeners stunned and speechless.

Jesus was not being sarcastic: “Blissful are the merciful. Duh! Everybody knows it is blissful are those who show no mercy, but demand justice.” Jesus was not being humorous: “Blissful are the peacemakers. Ha, ha! Pax Romana!”

The beatitudes of Jesus expose reality. All of the beatitudes that exalt greatness, wealth, power, luxuriant living, etc. expose human desire. The most ancient beatitudes expressed what men believed about their gods. Jesus expressed what was true of God. Read the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and Luke 6. Which one does not describe Jesus?

The beatitudes crush human valuations by promoting the values and character of God. The beatitudes remind us that our world is broken and this life is not true life. The beatitudes are about hope, our expectation of eternal life.

The beatitudes of Jesus conflict with the values of man. They sound humiliating, almost shameful. Yet, the beatitudes are about Jesus...

The author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

—Hebrews 12:2

Joy is set before us if we will despise the presumed shame of the beatitudes.

Mark Stinnett

February 20, 2022