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The Good Life: Living the Beatitudes

Andrew Stucker

In Matthew 5:1-10, Jesus introduces the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that define who has the "good life." At first glance, these blessings might seem counterintuitive. How can the poor in spirit, the mourners, or the persecuted be blessed? Yet, Jesus is announcing something revolutionary about the Kingdom of Heaven.


The Beatitudes are not just a checklist of moral achievements but a declaration of who is truly blessed in God’s Kingdom. The term Jesus uses for "blessed" (Makarioi) describes an existing state of happiness or fortune, not based on what one does but on who they are. It's like saying, "Blessed is the child of Bill Gates because their inheritance will be great." Similarly, by virtue of belonging to God's Kingdom, believers are already and will continue to be blessed. This radical truth reveals three key aspects of Jesus’ teaching: the expansive nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, the character of its citizens, and the kind of people who advance it.


The Expansive Nature of the Kingdom

When Jesus begins teaching, large crowds follow Him—not the societal elite but the sick, poor, and marginalized (Matthew 4:24-25). In Jesus' day, these individuals were often seen as cursed by God. Yet, Jesus looks at them and declares, "You are blessed!"

This proclamation shatters conventional thinking. For the crowd, blessings were synonymous with wealth, health, and status. Jesus, however, flips the script. His Kingdom is not exclusive to the powerful or religious elite but open to all, especially those society overlooks. The invitation to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is for everyone—a revolutionary idea that challenges how we define success and blessing.


The Character of Kingdom Citizens

The Beatitudes describe the nature of those who belong to God’s Kingdom. Jesus brackets these blessings with the phrase, "theirs is the kingdom of heaven," emphasizing that these traits are not random but integral to Kingdom living.

Consider the characteristics: poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and those who hunger for righteousness. These qualities are not about worldly strength or influence but about dependence on God, compassion, and humility. They echo Old Testament promises, such as Isaiah 61’s proclamation of good news to the poor and Psalm 37:11’s promise that the meek will inherit the land. Jesus invites His followers to embrace a new way of living that defies worldly expectations.


At first, this may seem impractical. Who wants to be meek or mournful? But Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of Heaven operates differently from the kingdoms of this world. What makes someone blessed in God’s Kingdom is often the exact opposite what makes someone blessed in the kingdom of the world. Following Jesus, and patterning our lives after may not lead to all the blessings the world has to offer. But the question we must ask is, "Do we want the blessing of the world or the blessing of heaven?"


The Kind of People Who Advance the Kingdom

As the Sermon on the Mount unfolds, Jesus describes Kingdom these blessed ones as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. These humble, compassionate, and righteous individuals are the ones through whom God’s Kingdom advances.


Text reads: "His death and resurrection are the ultimate expression of how God’s Kingdom takes root and flourishes." Green leaf and mountain design on right.

We often equate influence with power, charisma, or wealth. But Jesus’ example shows us a different path. Think of a stained glass window: each piece is beautiful on its own, but together they create a magnificent picture. The nine blessings of the Beatitudes form a mosaic of Jesus Himself. He embodies these traits perfectly, coming from humble beginnings, mourning over a broken world, and bringing peace through His sacrifice. His death and resurrection are the ultimate expression of how God's Kingdom takes root and flourishes.




Living the Beatitudes

The Beatitudes call us to reimagine what it means to live the good life. They invite us to trust that true blessing comes not from our achievements but from our relationship with the King. When we embrace this Kingdom mindset, we can be salt and light in a world desperate for hope and transformation.


As we continue to explore the Sermon on the Mount, let’s reflect on how these blessings challenge and inspire us. Are we willing to turn from worldly definitions of success and follow Jesus into a new way of living? Let’s embrace the good life that Jesus offers and join Him in advancing His Kingdom on earth.

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Redemption Orlando is a community reaching all people, with all of Jesus, with all of life. We hope to be a people who embrace the way of Jesus by loving others without fear, offering a compelling vision of life with Him, and recognizing and allowing everyone to be in a different place in their journey. Redemption Orlando is a 501c3 nonprofit, registered in the US, registration number 88-0669672.

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