The Beatitudes, Pt. 2: The Inverted Values of the Kingdom

In the Beatitudes (opening Christ’s Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5), the King of Kings proclaimed the blessed benefits of denying worldly citizenship serving in His heavenly Kingdom.^[1]

They anticipated antithesis, assuring Christians of enjoying blessings for being Christ’s and living out Christianity within a world that curses it lamenting, These … have turned the world upside down.^[2]

Christians, King Jesus does pronounce His rule over you as citizens of His Kingdom.

As Moses gave God’s law of life at Mt. Sinai for those whom God delivered, so Jesus from Mount Zion still pronounces His laws for listeners to live healed.^[3]

In verse 2, he opened his mouth—most often in parables dividing His disciples from dissenters.^[4]  Jesus brought in the New Covenant, but He gave us the old paths to walk (vss. 17-20). 

Jesus sat down to preach, as Kings gave rules sitting on their thrones.  In vss. 22-44, He heralded, you have heard it said, but I say, applying the full spirit of the letter of Mosaic Law and correcting its corruption by Pharisees who sat in Moses’ seat (Mt. 23:2-3).  His Message was, the kingdom of heaven inaugurated by His incarnation: Mt. 3:2; 4:23; 5:3 10, 19, 20; 6:10, 33; 7:21,^[5] and the blessedness of being its citizens under His discipleship and divine authority (Mt. 7:28-29).

Christian, Christ will rule over you.  He no longer wears a crown of thorns but gold.  He says, If ye love me, keep my commandments (Jn. 14:15) with this being the sign of kingdom citizenship (John 15:10; 1 John 5:2-3; 2 John 1:6). 

The person who follows God in Jesus is indeed blessed in this life and beyond (Psalm 1:1-2; Psalm 2:12).  But Christianity often doesn’t feel blessed.

Kingdom citizens, following Christ’s rules in this world is to hurt and bleed for now.

Christianity is a marathon (Hebrews 12:1-2).  It’s full of cramps, aches, and thirst.  The saints in Hebrews 11 cheer you on from heaven.  But earthlings jeer at you along every stretch of the race.

The world mocks your “blessings”—for you mourn, hunger, and thirst, while vulnerably being

• poor in spirit;
• meek;
• merciful;
• pure in heart;
• peacemakers;
• persecuted;
• reviled; and,
• falsely accused. 

This is why the world doesn’t come in throngs to sign up for church membership.  These blessings sound like curses.  Jesus qualified: If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you … (John 15:19-20); and my kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36). 

Paul also assured us that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).  You’re in good company with the sufferings servants of Hebrews 11:36-38 who belong to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.

Christianity is a crucified life.^[6]  Know what you’re getting into; but also, what you’re getting out of it.

Kingdom citizens, rewards come for following Christ’s rules both here and hereafter.

Just like approaching and crossing a marathon’s finish line is the glorious, joyful experience of a victor, so Christ’s Beatitudes are the characteristics of a Christian’s enduring character.

They eulogize inner strength, with true happiness stemming from holiness and wholeness.  They speak of enjoying things eternal from the kingdom of heaven (vss. 3, 10)—a different realm and reality with peace that is not of this world (John 14:27). 

Further, the Beatitudes in Luke 6:19-23 are followed by vss. 24-26 which contrast woes upon those only living for this world.  Christians, the formula is this: blessed are you in temporal tribulation, because it is temporary and there is an eternal reward.  You shall, en toto, gloriously

• be comforted;
• inherit the earth;
• be filled with Christ’s righteousness;
• obtain mercy;
• see God; and,
• be called children of God!

Along the pilgrimage, Jesus promises: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Christianity also is a resurrected life.  So the Revelation presents seven blessings, though the whole thing could seem like a cursed existence.^[7]  However,  Cursed Christians, You Are Blessed!^[8]

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^[1] Similarly, in Matthew 1:1 the Gospel opens making such a distinction and declaration.  See the author’s sermon on that text, “Bow Before King Jesus and Be Blessed!”: sermonaudio.com/sermons/11215147140.

^[2] Acts 17:6.

^[3] See Hebrews 12:18-28.

^[4] See the author’s previous Place for Truth article, “Preaching the Parables: Proclaiming the King of Kings and His Kingdom,” where Matthew 13:35 is quoted as fulfilling Ps. 78:2.

^[5] Ibid.  Matthew 13 opens six parables with, “the kingdom of heaven is like.”

^[6] Galatians 2:20.

^[7] Revelation 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, and 22:14.  See the author’s lecture series on The Revelation: sermonaudio.com/series/27039.

^[8] To listen to a sermon on this text and title by the author, which was his introduction to the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount within an exegetical series through the Gospel of Matthew, visit sermonaudio.com/sermons/21161354210.