Happy Are the Citizens of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:3-12)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3, ESV)

Many today say that Christianity is not about blessing and happiness, and in one context, they are right. Salvation does not guarantee us health, wealth and fame. Yet Jesus begins this Sermon with a statement of fact about the Kingdom of God. Nine times he uses the word, “blessed,” in this introduction. This masterful sermon is that of the Messiah, Israel’s King, presenting the principles of the Kingdom to His subjects.

We commonly call this introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, the “Beatitudes.” The dictionary defines the noun “beatitude” as a state of utmost bliss. The Greek word used in the passage for “Blessed” is an adjective that means blessed, happy or fortunate, referring to that blissful state of those who experience the divine realities of the Kingdom.

The interesting thing about the beatitudes is that Jesus presents them in a paradoxical way. He does not state that the blessed ones are those who meet the criteria of the world’s system. Jesus does not say blessed are the strong, blessed are the happy, or blessed are the popular. Rather, He states, “Blessed are the poor,” “those who mourn,” “the meek,” “those who hunger and thirst,” “the merciful,” “the pure in heart,” “the peacemakers,” and the “persecuted.” Jesus’ words hardly speak of health, wealth and fame.

What is the point of these paradoxical words? Jesus’ descriptions of those who are blessed characterize the attitudes and conditions of true children of the Kingdom. These are the ones who will experience true blessing.

When we look at the beatitudes, it seems that the realization of the state of bliss associated with each of the beatitudes progresses with spiritual growth. Jesus begins by stating “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Those who realize their total inability to achieve the standard of the Kingdom, are those who realize the wonder of God’s grace. Jesus stated that “Blessed are those who mourn.” Those who mourn over their sin and their sinful fallen condition are the ones who will find the wonder of God’s mercy.

Yet when we consider the last of the beatitudes, we see something that seems odd. Jesus stated, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted.” It hardly makes sense that persecution and difficulty would bring a state of happiness or bliss, but this is what Jesus stated. How can it be?

Consider Paul, who stated that he had learned to be content in whatever situation he experienced (Philippians 4:11). Consider that he wrote the Philippian epistle while incarcerated, not knowing the outcome of his plight, and yet he fills the letter with words of joy. Consider the words of James, who states, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). Paul and James, among others, had grown in the faith to the point where they could make these statements as both a divine revelation and personal experience.

In this introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states the facts of the Kingdom. “Blessed are” the true citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. The true citizens of the Kingdom manifest these characteristic attitudes of heart. True citizens of the Kingdom will experience these conditions by a walk of faith. However, the ability of the true citizens of the Kingdom to realize the state of blissfulness in all of these characteristics and conditions of the faith walk seems to be a matter of spiritual growth and maturation.

Someday all believers will grow to the place where they realize that they are blessed when they experience persecution, and the reviling and accusations of others. In the meantime, hang in there. Stand upon Jesus’ words as a statement of fact. When you experience hardships, your reward in Heaven is great.