Krista’s Reflection on Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount: Blessings
Sunday January 29 2023
Based on 1 Corinthians 18-31 and Matthew 5:1-12
In the last two weeks, we heard how Jesus called the first disciples. Today we finally hear what Jesus has to say, in his famous “Sermon on the Mount.”
Who can finish this sentence?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is (the kingdom of heaven)
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be (comforted)…..
So, before we get to that. Jesus has been healing people travelling around little villages in Galilee, and a crowd is starting to follow him. His disciples are wondering how does this guy do this? How does he know these things!
They want to know what’s going on. So Jesus says, hey let’s go up this hill and talk, away from the crowd, and I’ll teach you what you need to know. So the disciples follow him, and when Jesus sat down, they sat down with him, and waited.
Finally, Jesus, is going to explain everything!
And they want an explanation.
They’ve given up everything to be here, left their families, their livelihood, they’ve travelled for days and they’re getting tired. The crowds are starting to build, and they all want ANSWERS. They want their Messiah to SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
I can imagine sitting right there beside Jesus as one of his disciples. My heart is pounding, I’m studying his face, he scarcely blinks gazing toward the ground, formulating his words. Then he looks up at me and the others and then over the hill toward the crowds. And finally speaks:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit…”
Before I can even process that one, he goes on with three or four more “Blesseds,” more than I can count! And I’m not sure if I’m included in there, he seems to be talking to someone else.
He reminds me of Moses, our ancestor, who climbed Mount Sinai and spoke to God and received the 10 Commandments. This guy is a lot like that. Maybe he’s our new Moses!
Yeah, we need a savior like that to lead us, because these Romans are breaking our backs. Our people work twice as hard just to eat, and then have to give most of what they earn to the Romans in taxes or tribute. They’ve taken away our land and now they make us work like slaves.
And the religious leaders are no better. They demand we pay them just to make a sacrifice in the temple. It’s so unfair.
Maybe Jesus will fix all that.
Yeah, I’m a little worn, I feel broken, I’m poor in spirit. My people have suffered for centuries, it never seems to get any better. What does he mean by the kingdom of heaven?? Is he planning to attack the Romans? Stop the occupiers from destroying our people? Is he going to be like a priest in the temple or a king like David?
Hmm. He says we are blessed. Maybe we are blessed, maybe this is as good as it gets. We are with the Messiah after all. Maybe I don’t have to worry anymore, and I can just listen and keep following and someday it will all make sense.
Now the crowd pushes its way up the hill. They crowd in behind us, and I get up and move out of the way because they want to get closer to Jesus. I can hardly hear now I’ve been pushed back so far. Women and children, old men, people being lifted on rugs and carpets, pressing in to get his attention or touch his robe for healing.
My heart is sinking. I hope to God he means what he says, because I can’t go through this disappointment again with false prophets and false messiahs. We’ve heard them say one thing and do another. And then turn their backs on us when they get what they want and disappear.
But this man seems different. I believe him, and I don’t even know why. My heart just keeps saying yes to this one, this is the Messiah. Everything will all come to a head, and justice will finally come, and my foolishness in following him will be justified.
PAUSE. TODAY.
When I realized I would be preaching on Jesus’s famous sermon on the mount, I felt challenged by this Gospel. I always considered myself a blessed person, like many people in North America, who have food to eat, homes, clothing, education. Not everyone has these means, but most of the people that I know.
Jesus‘s words make sense for the people of his time, and those he was talking to, the disciples who left their lives to follow a travelling preacher, with no guarantee of income, or security of any kind. And it probably made sense to the crowds that were gathering around him who were sick and lame, who felt oppressed, destitute, who wanted someone who understood their problems.
We all have problems, who doesn’t want someone like that!
But his Gospel is different. It’s not like the world’s wisdom where the powerful and strong overcome the meek (or humble) and vulnerable. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure of heart,” who don’t have a bad bone in their body. Innocent, kind, gentle people. The world doesn’t like people like that, it doesn’t reward goodness and mercy. The strong and powerful are celebrated, while the ones who are kind and humble lose, and the innocent and vulnerable are pitied or ignored, rejected or worse, destroyed.
Jesus claims His is Good News for the poor, the downtrodden, those who mourn, who seek God, who are merciful. He promises them the rewards that the world can’t give them.
He says yours is the kingdom of heaven. What does that mean? In other passages, he says the kingdom of heaven is near (meaning in his presence as God’s representative) or within them (meaning God’s Spirit), or is all around them (meaning in each other, as opportunities to love one another and demonstrate God’s Love).
This Love is what he teaches, it’s what he knows, it’s who he is, and it’s what he shares with them all. He heals the sick, gives comfort to the broken-hearted, he releases the captives (those oppressed by this world). It’s a complete reversal of this world’s value system , the earthly wisdom of those in power.
Jesus represents God’s wisdom. This new way of Love.
As Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians following God’s wisdom in Christ sounds crazy and foolish to most people in this world. Jesus doesn’t preach how to get ahead, or win a war, or strike their enemies, or pray for vengeance or success in battle or business. He doesn’t say any of that. His wisdom is not from this world.
Jesus’s teachings are about mercy, compassion, truth and justice, forgiveness, kindness, and gentleness – and peace or SHALOM for all – which includes wholeness and righteousness, the kind of satisfaction and fulfilment only God can provide. These principles can only be understood with an open heart and mind. And sometimes we embody most of them when we feel the pain and suffering of this world.
When things go wrong, we might draw closer to God. When we suffer, we are more likely to seek God‘s wisdom. To pray for God’s healing for those around us.
Jesus says those who care so deeply, who are pure of heart, will see God, because they are closest to God, they embody God’s Love in action, in this world.
We might feel this grief today as we look around in our communities where people still suffer. Or on the news when we see the grievous and heinous crimes of war.
We mourn the senseless loss of life, when a man is beaten to death on the street, by men who use their authority to harm or destroy.
And we pray for God‘s kingdom to come when we think of the police officers who fell in our community not long ago.
Yet Jesus says Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are they who seek after righteousness.
I feel hopeful when I see how God has blessed the vulnerable in our community, through organizations that care and embody the teachings of Christ. Like WOW Living in Bradford, or Christmas for Kids, and the nine United churches of South Simcoe whom we are part.
We are grateful for those working in service industries, communities, churches, and on the streets, lifting people, empowering them, feeding and clothing them, healing, building houses, educating and encouraging them to be who they are so they can also be a blessing on others.
I feel encouraged because no matter what life throws at us, I know Jesus has our back, it’s OK to care too much, to be sensitive to the needs of others, to protect life, to mourn, while others laugh, to pray while others celebrate, and to hope and trust that God is with us, even when the world’s wisdom fails to offer such hope.
CLOSING
This is just the beginning of Jesus‘s ministry.
His sermon on the mount will continue in the weeks ahead as we move toward Lent.
But for now let’s contemplate how to apply his words.
Krista’s three things.
1. Consider which Blessing you most relate to and why.
2. Look for evidence of the kingdom of heaven on earth today, in our own communities and world. This might be an organization you work for, or volunteer at, or a positive news story.
3. Count your blessings even when you mourn, or grieve, or feel poor in spirit. Because God is within you, especially then.
MEDITATION
Finally, we will close with a meditation or silent prayer on the Jesus’ Blessings.
If you wish, close your eyes.
Imagine yourself in the scene with Jesus.
Which character are you, where are you located, how far away or close?
What do you hear and see?
Listen and hear these words and which ones speak to you. (They have been changed slightly to help us hear them in a new light.)
Meditation on the Mount
Take a moment to breathe and relax. Connect to the light of God. Breathe in these words from Scripture, and imagine you are there right now, on that mount. See and feel what is going on, and where you are in the scene. Let the words wash over you…
5:3 “Blessed are you who are poor in spirit, for yours the kingdom of heaven.
5:4 “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted.
5:5 “Blessed are you who are meek, for you will inherit the earth.
5:6 “Blessed are you who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for you will be filled.
5:7 “Blessed are you who are merciful, for you will receive mercy.
5:8 “Blessed are you who are pure in heart, for you will see God.
5:9 “Blessed are you who are peacemakers, for you will be called children of God.
5:10 “Blessed are you who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.
You may gently open your eyes.
May the kingdom of heaven be with you.
May you be blessed.
May we all be blessing in this world.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.