His followers, despite their many weaknesses and flaws, are “salt of the earth” and “light of the world”-servants who enrich others and offer illumination. When Jesus described his kingdom, he consistently emphasized its humble trajectory. The Beatitudes are full of unexpected turns. Therefore, “blessed” is the tangible gift of God’s loving embrace, an identity in Christ that experiences life as it ought to be-“as in heaven.” It’s the way of Christ’s kingdom, an unexpected turn that explodes like fireworks throughout his teaching. But Jesus shows us that God’s heart-full of steadfast love and faithfulness-extends to the weak, the vulnerable, and the awkward. In this fallen world, it’s the wealthy, the charming, and the strong who are exalted. However helpful a definition may be, it must yield to the full-orbed, biblical conception of blessedness offered to us in the Beatitudes, and the loving God who so freely blesses. But no single English word captures its beauty, depth, and nuance. Others have translated makarios as “happy,” because it satisfies the soul with inexpressible joy. But what does it mean to be “blessed”? Some suggest “fortunate” best conveys the idea, for it describes a valuable gift that cannot be earned. The word “blessed” (Greek, makarios) punctuates the beatitudes like a drum: Blessed are the meek blessed are the poor in spirit blessed are those who mourn. The Beatitudes illustrate the heart of God. The Upside Down Kingdom examines how living according to Jesus’s Beatitudes can cultivate God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, bringing peace and blessing to our broken world. Rather, Jesus is describing the man or woman who belongs to his Father’s kingdom and therefore lives according to God’s heart. Nor is he laying out a penitential program whereby one receives divine blessing by assuming the posture of a doormat. Nor is it an ideal moral system reserved for an elite group of chosen disciples. In them Jesus is not, as many suppose, offering a religious ladder to be climbed, at the top of which one finds a smiling Deity who rewards our religious effort. The Beatitudes thus expose the pernicious lies we have internalized while portraying the life God intends for his people. Rather than vanity and pride, he bestows security and inner strength. For the soul riddled with anxiety and fear, he suggests peace. Instead of lust and greed, he offers purity of heart. Instead of personal pleasure and glory, he proposes patience and a commitment to justice. To satisfy our hunger for wealth, Jesus offers poverty. The Beatitudes dig beneath the surface, exposing what we really need. The Beatitudes define our deepest needs and calling in Christ. This article is part of the 10 Things You Should Know series.
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