{"id":308,"date":"2025-01-14T12:04:46","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T12:04:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/?p=308"},"modified":"2025-02-17T22:24:07","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T22:24:07","slug":"the-beatitudes-matthew-51-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/14\/the-beatitudes-matthew-51-12\/","title":{"rendered":"The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-12"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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19th Century Campmeeting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the summer of 2014 (as I recall) I preached for the evening services at the Family Bible Camp<\/strong> at the Albright Park Camp & Retreat Center in Reed City, Michigan. It was a very natural place for me to be, and I was glad to preach there. I have a fondness for the tradition of the holiness camp meeting (as you may have noticed), and it felt right to be there preaching in that old tabernacle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It occurred to me: why not preach on the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew? I remembered the importance of the Sermon on the Mount in the preaching of John Wesley, and I wondered if a series of messages suitable to a camp meeting could be delivered based on it. I think it went very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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John We3sley preaching<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In an entry in John Wesley’s Journal<\/em> dated October 19, 1739 he wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At six almost the whole town (I was informed) came together, to whom I explained the six last Beatitudes; but my heart was so enlarged I knew not how to give over, so that we continued for three hours.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The messages I gave didn’t go on for three hours (for which we can all be thankful), but I did find plenty of inspiration in the Sermon on the Mount, and in Wesley’s reflections on them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I speak of a message that would be “suitable to a camp meeting” I mean: a series of messages stressing the idea of sanctification by faith. And, I wanted to connect the life and teaching of Jesus to this style of teaching \u2014 which (it seems to me) is so often drawn from the Pauline letters or from 1 John. I used Wesley’s  thirteen sermons on the Sermon on the Mount for inspiration, but I did not follow them closely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a distinctive characteristic of Matthew’s Gospel that it contains large blocks of the teaching from Jesus: the Sermon on the Mount being the most memorable of these. It is helpful, as one goes along, to compare this with the less well-known Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 6:17-49). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5:1, 2 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0399\u0313\u03b4\u03c9\u0300\u03bd \u03b4\u03b5\u0300 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u0300\u03c2 \u03bf\u0313\u0301\u03c7\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03b1\u0313\u03bd\u03b5\u0301\u03b2\u03b7 \u03b5\u03b9\u0313\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u0300 \u03bf\u0313\u0301\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2, \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u0300 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b9\u0301\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u0342 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03b7\u0342\u03bb\u03b8\u03b1\u03bd \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03c9\u0345\u0342 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03bc\u03b1\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9\u0300 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u0342\u0387 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u0300 \u03b1\u0313\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9\u0301\u03be\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u0300 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u0301\u03bc\u03b1 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u0342 \u03b5\u0313\u03b4\u03b9\u0301\u03b4\u03b1\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u0300\u03c2 \u03bb\u03b5\u0301\u03b3\u03c9\u03bd\u0387<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.  Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:<\/em> ” (NRSV) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m told that this is normal for the times in which Jesus lived. The Jewish teachers sat when they taught. Nonetheless, I can’t help but be struck by the parallel here to royalty: Jesus is seated like a king on the Mount, his closest disciples around him \u2014 the Messiah (“anointed one”) instructing the crowds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5:3-5 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u039c\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03c0\u03c4\u03c9\u03c7\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03c4\u03c9\u0345\u0342 \u03c0\u03bd\u03b5\u03c5\u0301\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03c9\u0342\u03bd \u03b5\u0313\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03b7\u0314 \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u0301\u03b1 \u03c4\u03c9\u0342\u03bd \u03bf\u03c5\u0313\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u03c9\u0342\u03bd. \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03c0\u03b5\u03bd\u03b8\u03bf\u03c5\u0342\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u03b7\u0301\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03c0\u03c1\u03b1\u03b5\u03b9\u0342\u03c2, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b7\u0301\u03c3\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c4\u03b7\u0300\u03bd \u03b3\u03b7\u0342\u03bd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”<\/em> (NRSV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The common thread here is reversal<\/strong>. The announcement Jesus makes is “how fortunate are the poor\u2026 those who mourn\u2026 The meek\u2026. The announcement immediately gets our attention because Jesus is remarking on the good fortune of people who are not generally considered fortunate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These verses teach us that the beatitudes should not be interpreted as prescriptions for blessing<\/strong>. They are not moralisms: do this or that, and you will be blessed. Rather Jesus is announcing that the unlikely people are going to be blessed in the coming Reign of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why preaching a series of sermons on the beatitudes is generally a bad idea. It will end up being moralistic: Jesus says we have to mourn to be blessed… so, mourn about something…. This turns Jesus’ announcements of grace and blessing on people into moralistic instructions. (By the way, sermons are often too moralistic anyway.) I would recommend preaching on the beatitudes as a whole, or maybe (if you absolutely have to make it into some kind of series) breaking them into groups of verses: vv. 1-5 God blesses the unblest<\/em>; vv. 6-10 God blesses those thirsting for righteousness<\/em>; vv.11-12 God blesses the persecuted<\/em>. But, in any case, keep the emphasis on the in-breaking of God’s grace<\/em> \u2014 don’t make it seem like we have to earn it by something we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is at just this point that so many of the traditional commentators go wrong also: Jesus said “blessed are the poor in spirit” <\/em>so somehow I need to make myself “poor in spirit” (so what does that mean?); Jesus said “blessed are those who mourn”<\/em> so\u2026 um, I should mourn over my sins, or something…. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is really happening here is something different: Jesus is remarking on the good fortune of those who seem unfortunate.<\/strong> He is announcing a great reversal: he is announcing the good fortune of God upon the unfortunate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the translation “happy” seems especially inappropriate here. It’s not: “happy are those who mourn.” Rather, an announcement is being made: those who mourn now<\/em> are going to be blessed in the coming Reign of God. And, I think, behind this is that wonderful conception of blessedness that we encounter in the Psalms. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, the translation of \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 here is difficult: but there is a good argument in retaining either the original “blessed are\u2026”<\/em> or going to something like “how fortunate are\u2026”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And it helps to compare with Luke’s Gospel. Here it is “Blessed are the poor in spirit<\/em>” there it is “Blessed are the poor.” <\/em>Often in Old Testament scripture blessings are pronounced or promised to the poor. The  prophet Isaiah says to the LORD: “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”<\/em> (25:4). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, it is here. A blessing of God is pronounced on the poor \u2014 and specifically those who have the attitude of the poor, the “poor in spirit.” Jesus’ ministry was especially directed toward the poor and the needy and the social outcasts of the day: “\u2026the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.”<\/em> (Matthew 11:5 NRSV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A blessing is pronounced on “those who mourn”<\/em> and on the “meek.”<\/em> Given the context, I think \u03c0\u03c1\u03b1\u03b5\u03b9\u0342\u03c2 (usually translated “meek”) here is just meant to signify the powerless \u2014 those who are not in positions of greatness in society. The word has gotten a lot of attention, because of its presence in this passage. But, in this context, I think it just means to refer to those without social power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, what are these underdogs promised \u2014 the kingdom of heaven, comfort, the earth. The promise of future (or, it might be better to say: dawning<\/em>) salvation is theirs. Jesus is announcing a great reversal which is being inaugurated through his ministry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5:6-9 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03c0\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd\u03c9\u0342\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u0300 \u03b4\u03b9\u03c8\u03c9\u0342\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2 \u03c4\u03b7\u0300\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u03c5\u0301\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03c7\u03bf\u03c1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03b8\u03b7\u0301\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03b5\u0313\u03bb\u03b5\u03b7\u0301\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03b5\u0313\u03bb\u03b5\u03b7\u03b8\u03b7\u0301\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03c4\u03b7\u0345\u0342 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u03b9\u0301\u03b1\u0345, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03c4\u03bf\u0300\u03bd \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u0300\u03bd \u03bf\u0313\u0301\u03c8\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9. \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03b5\u03b9\u0313\u03c1\u03b7\u03bd\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9\u0301, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03c5\u03b9\u0314\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u03c5\u0342 \u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u03b7\u0301\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”<\/em> (NRSV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here things shift. Whereas before, the point was that the unlikely<\/em> were being blessed by God, here Jesus talks about the character traits <\/em>of those who are blessed by God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunger and thirst symbolize strong desire. I suppose in a nation where water is at the tap and food is readily available, the symbolism loses its force a bit. But, hunger and thirst are overwhelming impulses when they are real. This is the kind of desire for righteousness <\/strong>Jesus is talking about \u2014 a powerful, overwhelming desire. This is more than curiosity. This is more than a casual seeking. This is a hunger for God’s will and God’s justice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems to me that the term “righteousness” (\u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u03c5\u0301\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd) conveys that which is rightly aligned with God’s will and purpose. Righteousness always suggests right relationship. Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who hunger to see things in this world rightly aligned with God’s will. That means their own lives \u2014 and it means the world around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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John Wesley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wesley says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whosoever then thou art, to whom God hath given to \u201chunger and thirst after righteousness,\u201d cry unto him that thou mayest never lose that inestimable gift, \u2014 that this divine appetite may never cease. If many rebuke thee, and bid thee hold thy peace, regard them not; yea, cry so much the more, \u201cJesus, Master, have mercy on me!\u201d \u201cLet me not live, but to be holy as thou art holy!\u201d No more \u201cspend thy money for that which is not bread, nor thy labor for that which satisfieth not.\u201d Canst thou hope to dig happiness out of the earth, \u2014 to find it in the things of the world? O trample under foot all its pleasures, despise its honors, count its riches as dung and dross, \u2014 yea, and all the things which are beneath the sun, \u2014 \u201cfor the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus,\u201d for the entire renewal of thy soul in that image of God wherein it was originally created. Beware of quenching that blessed hunger and thirst, by what the world calls religion; a religion of form, of outside show, which leaves the heart as earthly and sensual as ever. Let nothing satisfy thee but the power of godliness, but a religion that is spirit and life; thy dwelling in God and God in thee, \u2014 the being an inhabitant of eternity; the entering in by the blood of sprinkling \u201cwithin the veil,\u201d and sitting \u201cin heavenly places with Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is the merciful<\/em><\/strong> (\u03b5\u0313\u03bb\u03b5\u03b7\u0301\u03bc\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2) who are blessed of God. These are those who are capable of feeling for others \u2014 of entering into their feelings \u2014 and giving them aid. And, God’s mercy is shown toward those who are merciful to others. It is the pure in heart<\/em> <\/strong>(\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u03bf\u03b9\u0300 \u03c4\u03b7\u0345\u0342 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u03b9\u0301\u03b1\u0345) who are blessed of God. God desires truth in the inmost heart \u2014 a people who speak the truth to themselves and others. Psalm 15:2 speaks of “those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart<\/strong>\u2026.”<\/em> (NRSV). The pure in heart, not only see themselves properly, they are enabled to see God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Origen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Adam Clarke quotes this passage from Origen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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God has no body, and therefore is invisible: but men of contemplation can discern him with the heart and understanding. But A DEFILED HEART CANNOT SEE GOD: BUT HE MUST BE PURE WHO WISHES TO ENJOY A PROPER VIEW OF A PURE BEING.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is the peacemakers<\/em><\/strong> (\u03b5\u03b9\u0313\u03c1\u03b7\u03bd\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9\u0301) who are blessed of God. These are people who actively seek peace and reconciliation. These are people who seek harmony and understanding \u2014 and though their efforts attempt to achieve it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is often hard to be the reconciler. Yet, because God desires peace \u2014 not simply in the sense of a cessation of hostility, but in the sense of harmony, wholeness and well-being \u2014 these people can rightly be called children of God \u2014 people whose lives display God’s character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is well known,” says Wesley, “that \u03b5\u03b9\u0313\u03c1\u03b7\u0301\u03bd\u03b7 [peace], in the sacred writings, implies all manner of good; every blessing that relates either to the soul or the body, to time or eternity.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5:10-12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9 \u03bf\u03b9\u0314 \u03b4\u03b5\u03b4\u03b9\u03c9\u03b3\u03bc\u03b5\u0301\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 \u03b5\u0314\u0301\u03bd\u03b5\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u03c5\u0301\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c5\u0313\u03c4\u03c9\u0342\u03bd \u03b5\u0313\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03b7\u0314 \u03b2\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u0301\u03b1 \u03c4\u03c9\u0342\u03bd \u03bf\u03c5\u0313\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u03c9\u0342\u03bd. \u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u0301\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03b9\u0301 \u03b5\u0313\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5 \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd \u03bf\u0313\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9\u03b4\u03b9\u0301\u03c3\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c5\u0314\u03bc\u03b1\u0342\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u0300 \u03b4\u03b9\u03c9\u0301\u03be\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u0300 \u03b5\u03b9\u0313\u0301\u03c0\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c0\u03b1\u0342\u03bd \u03c0\u03bf\u03bd\u03b7\u03c1\u03bf\u0300\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u2019 \u03c5\u0314\u03bc\u03c9\u0342\u03bd [\u03c8\u03b5\u03c5\u03b4\u03bf\u0301\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9] \u03b5\u0314\u0301\u03bd\u03b5\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd \u03b5\u0313\u03bc\u03bf\u03c5\u0342. \u03c7\u03b1\u03b9\u0301\u03c1\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u0300 \u03b1\u0313\u03b3\u03b1\u03bb\u03bb\u03b9\u03b1\u0342\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5, \u03bf\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03b9 \u03bf\u0314 \u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u03b8\u03bf\u0300\u03c2 \u03c5\u0314\u03bc\u03c9\u0342\u03bd \u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03c5\u0300\u03c2 \u03b5\u0313\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u0342\u03c2 \u03bf\u03c5\u0313\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9\u0342\u03c2\u0387 \u03bf\u03c5\u0314\u0301\u03c4\u03c9\u03c2 \u03b3\u03b1\u0300\u03c1 \u03b5\u0313\u03b4\u03b9\u0301\u03c9\u03be\u03b1\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u0300\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03b7\u0301\u03c4\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u0300\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0300 \u03c5\u0314\u03bc\u03c9\u0342\u03bd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness\u2019 sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”<\/em>(NRSV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Adam Clarke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And, the last section of the beatitudes is pronouncement of blessing on those who are persecuted for the sake of God’s Reign \u2014 that is, God’s will and purpose. As such, it is also a warning of persecutions to come. Adam Clarke remarks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

They are happy who suffer, seems a strange saying: and that the righteous should suffer, merely because they are such, seems as strange. But such is the enmity of the human heart to every thing of God and goodness, that all those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution in one form or other. As the religion of Christ gives no quarter to vice, so the vicious will give no quarter to this religion, or to its professors.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

So, those who have a devotions to Christ’s cause must take the long view: they must see beyond the immediate response to the message, they must have confidence that God’s purposes will prevail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus reminds them that the prophets \u2014 who spoke a true word from God \u2014 were also persecuted in their day. There is a great reward from God promised to those who hold fast to the truth in spite of opposition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 the apostle Paul speaks of his own ministry in these terms: “but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see\u2014we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pronouncements of blessing are Christ’s way of introducing his message on the essence of Kingdom living \u2014 what it means to live under the reign of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, as I said, I went to Albright Park Camp that summer and preached in the evenings from the Sermon on the Mount. It seemed appropriate to me. After all, that is what camp meeting is for: to consider what it means to live under the Reign of God \u2014 to challenge one another to renewed faithfulness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I opened up the series by asking this question: how hungry are you?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The common thread here is reversal. The announcement Jesus makes is “how fortunate are the poor\u2026 those who mourn\u2026 The meek\u2026. The announcement immediately gets our attention because Jesus is remarking on the good fortune of people who are not generally considered fortunate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,7,14],"tags":[108,148,155,123,57,109,147,49,152,149,157,154,150,153,156,151,158,220,179],"class_list":["post-308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-studies","category-gospels","category-preaching","tag-adam-clarke","tag-beatitudes","tag-blessedness","tag-blessing","tag-gospel-of-luke","tag-gospel-of-matthew","tag-jesus","tag-john-wesley","tag-messiah","tag-moralism","tag-origen","tag-peace","tag-poor","tag-reversal","tag-righteousness","tag-sermon-on-the-mount","tag-spiritual-hunger","tag-the-gospel-of-matthew","tag-the-sermon-on-the-mount"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=308"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":399,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308\/revisions\/399"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=308"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}