There can be no doubt about it – Jesus is “THE” Teacher, “par excellent.”
His “Sermon on the Mount” – being a case in point…
But also his Beatitudes speak volumes about his ministry, its direction and his various teachings – which will soon follow…
The disciples, the twelve, his “chosen ones” are the “in-crowd,” on this day – that is to say that they are his intended audience.
Everyone else is on the outside looking in – but like any good teacher – Jesus welcomes all students who thirst and hunger for knowledge…they are welcome to come and sit and listen in….
Jesus is teaching about the “reign of God” – which is not incidentally, solely about life in heaven.
“The reign of God” is meant for the “here and now,” as well as in heaven.
This is what we pray for in the Lord’s Prayer…when we say, “thy kingdom come, on earth, as it is in heaven…”
And Jesus in the Beatitudes is emphasizing “the here part” what we can do here and now…
To be blessed is to be given “life.”
To be blessed is to be “divinely” or “supremely favored.”
To be blessed is to be “consecrated,” “dedicated,” made “sacred or holy,” being “set apart” for service.
To be blessed is more about being “used” by God than it is about getting “cool stuff.”
Naturally, when we think about blessings…we tend to think about material blessings…a good roof over our heads, a warm bed to sleep in, food for our tables, clothes to wear and perhaps a decent job…and maybe a vehicle to get us from point A – to point B.
A little currency in our pockets wouldn’t hurt either…
But Biblically speaking, we are talking about “being given life…”
You know waking up in the morning, refreshed and hopefully relaxed and giving thanks for another day…
A new day…
Another chance…
Another opportunity…
Another possibility for service…
We are given “this life” and are meant to “serve our God” in some way or fashion…we are meant to help those “who cannot help themselves…”
We are to be a blessing for “others…”
It isn’t hard to imagine someone who “mourns” – helping others to grieve. Once we’ve been there, we know what it is like…
It is easy to see the “merciful” being set apart for God’s work…or someone who truly “hungers and thirsts for righteousness sake…”
They would both do quite well…
Being merciful and showing mercy, I would think, would be a good thing…and worthy of being shared.
And hungering and thirsting for righteousness, justice and fairness for all, seems to me to be godly enough of a trait.
Peace makers are a real no brainer, too…if anything our world could use a few thousands and maybe even thousands more of peace makers on a daily basis.
We have to learn to stop “baiting each other” and pushing each others buttons…
Perhaps the bigger questions are – do we want to be “blessed” by God in this fashion?
Do we want to be “used” by our God?
Do we want to “serve” others?
Do we want to “reach out” to others in his name?
Or, are we fine – just as we are – thank you very much!
Are we really truly willing to be merciful to “that woman” in the congregation who snoops around into everybody’s personal business…
Or what about “the one” that loves to trash others and talk about them behind their backs?
And what about that guy- you know the one…that makes everybody feel uncomfortable? What about him?
Or do we like to “pick and choose” too much – to show mercy to all?
The teacher can only teach a lesson, it is up to the student to implement it and to use it.
And Jesus was “THE” teacher. And we are his students…
You know that you are blessed…so…what do we do now?