Many of us are familiar with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. You know, Blessed are the poor. Blessed are the ... .
There are two words that translate into "Blessed" in first-century Judaism. The first, in Hebrew beraka (and the Greek eulogeo) and this word isn't used in the Beatitudes. This word is used in prayer, asking for a blessing. For example, "Father, please bless Tom and heal his body." The second word for blessed in Hebrew is asir (and in Greek makarios). It is not a wish to invoke a blessing; rather, the word describes an existing condition. It affirms a spiritual quality that is a present reality. For example, Jane is blessed to be Margaret's daughter.
Understanding the correct word and its usage matters because it significantly affects how we interpret and apply Jesus’ words.
The Beatitudes are not a statement of quid-pro-quo. It is not an exchange of God's favour or blessing for your correct performance or beliefs - "you are blessed if you do __________ ."
There is nothing scandalous in a religious system of quid-pro-quo. It’s as old as religion itself. Ancients would practice animal and human sacrifices for rain, a good harvest or victory in war. It was (and still is) common for us to bargain with God. "God, if you get me out of this mess, I will..." We will sacrifice money, worship, fasting, or someONE in exchange for God's goodies. This tit-for-tat god ain’t new. This isn’t good news.
More than a set of virtues to be practiced, Jesus is turning the established thinking about God on its head. Jesus declares that folks traditionally seen as excluded from the love, the in-group, and the “chosen” are WELCOMED and included. The Kindom of God is not the exclusive club for the spiritually prominent, the strong, steady, the clean, or the super-heroes of the faith.
In the Beatitudes, those often crushed by big religion, rejected and exploited are enthusiastically welcomed and included in the loving embrace (favour) of the God who is love.
This is good news for those of us who:
- are on the outside looking in
- can’t afford the Blinds in the economic & religious system game
- feel hopelessly F’d and alone
- are lost under the graffiti of shame
- are the Queer pegs in a straight-hole world
- try as they might, they can’t measure up and given up trying
- are hungry for God but didn't get an invite to the banquet
- dare to go all in on mercy, love, and peace-making even when it’s hard.
The Good News - You're loved no matter what. All is forgiven (if it ever really needed to be forgiven at all), and dinner is ready. Welcome, and have a seat!
For Blessed are the likes of these.
