Matthew 5:1-4 1And when he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2And after he opened his mouth, he taught them saying:
The crowds following Jesus had grown in number. People were curious and seeking meaning to their lives. Jesus went up on a mountain where he could speak to a large crowd, probably for acoustics and visibility. There are many hills around Galilee that would work well for this type of experience. The following three chapters are known as the Sermon on the Mount because of where Jesus taught it. Jesus spoke this message his disciples, but it is assumed the crowds were present also. At this point, only four disciples have been named. It is possible and likely that Jesus had many disciples with him. Verse 1 is the first time the word disciple (mathētēs) is used. The basic meaning of this word is a student, learner, or follower. Jesus had both male and female disciples.
The first teaching Jesus gives has become known as the Beatitudes. Each of these sayings is short and given as poetic lines that begin with a blessing, followed by those receive the blessing, and finally with what that blessing is. The first word given in each of these verses is the Greek word makarioi. Most modern English translations interpret this word as “blessed.” The simplest translation is “happy are those who,” but there is much more to this word. The word “happy” comes from an old English word with the root “hap,” which is related to luck, fortune, fate, and circumstances. Happiness is determined by outside circumstances. “I am happy when or if. . . .” People think of blessings in outward forms of material things such as wealth, houses, good jobs, or good looks, or inward forms of feelings when things go well. People seek happiness but they only find it when the circumstances are favorable to them. The Bible does not teach blessing in this form of happiness.
The word blessed does not simply mean being happy. Blessing is not dependent upon situations. Jesus is not talking about being fortunate or lucky. The word describes awesomeness and reflects the joy in being in a good condition or a favorable place to receive something good. Everything is being provided for us. Followers of Jesus are blessed to receive God’s grace. We find everything we need in Jesus. The joy of the Lord, and not the world, is our strength.
The ten commandments were written on stone, but these eight beatitudes are written on the human heart. The law is no longer something to be done but something to be lived. The law becomes part of us. Some people think that to be good and moral, they must give up many things and be self-disciplined, which takes great effort and few people even come close to reaching this. This sermon is not a new law or moral code but a new way of life. Jesus preaches this sermon and Jesus is the only one who makes it possible to live out this sermon. This sermon is all about what it means to be a Jesus follower. It answers the question, what is kingdom life like?
Jesus is the focus of the Beatitudes. The stuff around us cannot affect us because we are in Jesus. We must think of this happiness from the perspective of God’s kingdom and not any earthly kingdom. This is not about personal happiness but a description of kingdom life. Jesus defines blessing in a different way. We are on a journey of making the difference between the happiness found in this world and the blessedness that comes in God’s favor.
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