Matthew 5:1-12
“Better off” is not blessedness

In a couple of days we will cast our votes for the presidential candidate of our choice. For months now we have been hearing from both presidential candidates about why he is the best choice for change in our country. There is a strong message from both candidates of bringing in a new era of a better, a more respected, and a stronger America. The strong message they both want to get across to you and me is that, you will be better off economically, you will be better off with your health, you will be better off educationally, you will be better protected, so on and so forth. At the core of it all, what they want us to believe is, “You will be better off with me.” The concept of a better life is what every single politician or world leaders have pushed over the years. As soon as we hear the word “better” we feel and begin to believe that what we have and what we are right now is not good enough. From what I see, we have been chasing after the “better” since Adam and Eve first listened and believed the serpent when he told them that they could be better off, on par with God by eating the fruit. Basically, the world has wielded power over people again and again by fostering a sense of dissatisfaction in what you have and completely validating that dissatisfaction in you.

In the midst of a world hung up on acquiring and achieving “the better” Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God. Unlike many others who came with promises of a better life, convincing us of just how much we deserve the better, Jesus’ first proclamation was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” In other words, change and transformation begins and happens from within the self. The beatitudes as we know today, come at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospel of Matthew. They form the basis of what it means to embrace the kingdom of God. The promises of God’s Kingdom are not necessarily for a better and more prosperous life, rather the promise is of “blessedness.” Blessedness indicates a contentedness in the presence of God in our lives. And this God-given blessedness cannot be embraced and enjoyed without a conscious surrendering of our lives to God.

The Apostle Paul struggled with a great sense of dissatisfaction with what he describes as a thorn in his flesh. He prayed to God for his life to get better by removing it. But Paul writes that in answer to his prayers God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” That acceptance of God’s grace being sufficient under all circumstances is what it means to be blessed. And that sense of blessedness is what the saints in God’s Kingdom reflect for all to see. Saints not because we have done some extra ordinary things, saints not because we have managed to bring healing to some people somewhere, Saints not because we have lived a particularly so called holy life, saints not because we have been extra patient or generous, rather saints because we have understood what it means to belong to God and to be defined by His presence.

The longer I walk this Christian journey the more I am convinced of the profound truth that the Kingdom of God requires for us to become like a little child. For those of us who have children know just how completely our little ones trust us parents. It is amazing how a scared and screaming child can suddenly calm down as soon as the parent holds the child close to them. Most children don’t have to worry about their food, health, clothing, shelter, education or even entertainment. They receive and enjoy in complete trust that which their parents provide as good and safe for them. That blessedness that comes from knowing with all certainty that they are loved and taken care of, is what Jesus is talking about when he says, “blessed are you…”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, whose confidence comes from knowing that the Lord loves them with an everlasting love, even though by world standards they lack in talent, charisma, money, power, earthly wisdom or health. Theirs is the Kingdom of God.

Blessed are those who mourn, those who allow themselves to be burdened by the many injustices and suffering of this world. They will surely be comforted in knowing that they share in God’s own suffering.

Blessed are the meek, those who are unable to compete and fight for the better things of this world and are still content in the knowledge that God’s grace is sufficient for them. They will indeed inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those whose deepest desire is to spend time with God, obey and seek Him in the broken-ness of this world. They will be filled with God’s presence.

Blessed are the merciful, those who choose to forgive, extend hospitality and show generosity to all knowing God is their redeemer and provider. God will always be merciful to them.

Blessed are the pure in heart, those who refuse to be become cynical or skeptics, those who seek to see goodness and hope rather than crookedness and failures. They will definitely see God amongst us sinners.

Blessed are the peacemakers, those who take the initiative to know and love the other, the different and the enemy, those who work to bring a sense of brotherhood between enemies. They will truly be recognized as children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

And indeed to walk with God and embrace His kingdom values will always put us at odds with the world. The Beatitudes continue to jolt us because they demand a radical change of perspective, from that of self-reliance to total surrender. It is not the matter of worldly perspective as against godly perspective that unsettles us when we read this passage. Rather our unease comes from knowing that being in such a state of blessedness calls for a complete surrender of our lives to God. In fact, if we read this passage as vindication for our weaknesses we have really missed the whole point. Blessedness has to come not just from knowing that God loves, cares, and provides for us because we are His Children, but also in being able to show the same kind of love and care that God has shown us to others. We can endure any persecution for righteousness only if we believe that God is ultimately in control of everything. True mark of blessedness comes from a contentedness that comes from trusting and believing in a God who will never forsake or abandon us. A God who is just and merciful, a God whose deepest desire is to redeem his children, a God who loves us completely. May God give us the longing to seek blessedness in Him. Amen.