Jesus Speaks to the Crowd about "The Good Life"


8th in a series on Men and Women in the Bible dealing with waiting, disappointment and unemployment.

The Good Life
Reflections on Matthew 5:1-12

We all want the good life.  If we interviewed the average American they might conclude that the good life is made up of three things:  1) Good health, 2) Enough money to do what I want and 3) Good relationships with family and friends.  What if we were told that these things are nice but not the essence of life, but secondary?  How would we find out what truly makes up a life that is good?  And is there enough time on this planet to discover these things?

Jesus came to this earth two thousand years ago and his visit is still affecting the existence of every human being because he presented answers to the above questions.  In the Gospel according to Matthew in chapter 5 Jesus delivers what has come to be called “The Beatitudes”.  Statements that shook up the people then and continue to rattle us today.

It’s helpful to understand the context of what is also called “The Sermon on the Mount”.  The Jewish people were under the domination of the Romans.  People were doing their best to eke out a living the best they could.  Some Jews discovered that if they collected taxes for the Romans from their own people that they could earn a good income.  Matthew, the author of one of the Gospels was a tax collector.  The Jewish leaders also distracted the people of Israel by continually creating new laws that they imagined would make them more holy.  And it had been 400 years since a prophet had appeared in the Judean wilderness.  

So, what did Jesus have to say that could challenge the hypocritical and arrogant while comforting the poor and oppressed?

#1 Blessed are the poor in spirit - Learning to depend fully upon God.  So nothing of this world causes undue pride nor leads to despair.  For the Kingdom of Heaven has come upon this earth and those who have crossed over from death to life have begun to grasp what this means.  Therefore, unemployment, illness nor wealth and success detract from the good life.

#2 Blessed are those who mourn - The people that I trust the most are those who can identify with my pain.  Our lives of disappointment are most appreciated by others who  recognize their own dashed dreams and seek solace in the words of Jesus.  

#3 Blessed are the meek - “To be meek toward others implies freedom from malice and a vengeful spirit.”  Are we not attracted to those who build us up, easily forgive and genuinely love others?  And run from those who suck the life out of us due to their arrogance and manipulation?   

#4 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - Truth and honesty are not always the accepted values.  Short-sighted goals and pragmatism can lead to a life opposite of a person of honor and nobility.

#5 Blessed are the merciful - Mercy and grace are at the center of the Christian faith.  It’s an other-worldly trait of forgiving the guilty and helping the suffering and the needy.  When I am in the presence of such a person, I cannot help but feel cared for and loved.  It’s possibly a characteristic that shows little return on investment but it’s the right thing to do.

#6 Blessed are the pure in heart - It’s not just doing the right thing, it’s being right in mind and spirit.  Our motives and character will be revealed soon enough.  Again, the reward may not be measured in money and influence, but Jesus said, “We will see God.”  The ultimate reward.

#7 Blessed are the peacemakers -  Angst and turmoil will surround a life that is not at peace.  Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker as His death and resurrection brought peace between us and God if we will accept His path.  Peace can be demonstrated as I flourish in my job by working 'as unto the Lord’.

#8 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness - Sometimes doing the right thing brings trouble on our heads, but the stories that I’ve heard from my friends reveal that it also brings peace to our hearts and minds.  Straying from this mindset may enable us to avoid persecution but at what cost?

Jesus demonstrated that His mission was radical but life-giving.  I can imagine being a businessman hearing this message and having to evaluate everything.  After hearing these words asking,  ’Is my definition of “The Good Life” still the same?'  

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