In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives his manifesto about the art of human flourishing. He joins the other rabbis and sages throughout history and answers life’s ultimate question, “how does a person live the good life?” Jesus’ answer to that question is so compelling that people have been writing, discussing, and wrestling over his words for over 2,000 years.

The “blessings” of the Beatitudes—the macarisms, as he calls them, based on the Greek word makarios that Jesus uses—are descriptions of what it looks like to be living well in the present. They are grace-based, wisdom invitations to human flourishing in God’s coming kingdom. Embrace suffering and flourishing will follow. This is the true paradox of the Way of Christ.

JESUS’ NARRATIVE: THE BEATITUDES ARE INVITATIONS OF INCLUSION INTO A WAY OF FLOURISHING AVAILABLE IN THE REALM OF GOD.

The Beatitudes are not instructions to do anything. They do not indicate conditions that are especially pleasing to God or good for human beings. The Beatitudes are better heard as Jesus’ announcements of the dawning of the Kingdom

Only if one believes Jesus’s claim that he is the bearer of an in-breaking divine, benevolent reign can one see those who are poor, tearful, hungry, and persecuted as flourishing.

Flourishing are you!

Rob+

P.S. Opening and Interlude music I created just for this podcast!