Sermon -- 4th Sunday after Epiphany (January 29, 2023)

MATTHEW 5:1-12

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

In the name + of Jesus.

     St. Mark described the beginning of Jesus’ ministry this way: “Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15).  St. Luke described the days before Jesus’ ascension this way: “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).  If the first thing and the last thing Jesus spoke about was the kingdom of God, then we can be sure that this is what his entire ministry was about.  It is not only about Jesus’ death and resurrection, it is just as much about our place in the kingdom of God—what that means both for life on earth and life in glory.

     The longest sermon of Jesus recorded in the Bible is the Sermon on the Mount.  Guess what that was about.  The kingdom of God!  More specifically, it is about what it means to be a disciple in the kingdom of God.  The first verses of this long sermon (Matthew 5-7) have been called the “Be Attitudes.”  This is a cute play on the phrase “Beatitudes,” which is from a Latin word, beati (pronounced bay-AH-tee).  Each “blessed” is “beati.”  But Jesus is not instructing you about what attitude you need to have to get right with God.  Nor is he telling you what will make you happy.  Some have translated the word “blessed” as “happy.”  But “happy” makes little sense.  Consider, “Happy are those who mourn.  Happy are those who are persecuted.”  I may be willing to suffer persecution, but I can’t say I would be happy about it.

     The term which begins each sentence, “blessed,” is a status.  Jesus is declaring that God’s favor rests upon you.  Remember the audience of Jesus’ sermon: “His disciples came to him.  And he opened his mouth and taught them” (Matthew 5:1-2).  You are Jesus’ disciples.  In his sermon, Jesus explained what it means to be a disciple in the kingdom of God.  Blessed are those who are in the kingdom of God.

     The first beatitude sets the tone.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).  If you are poor in spirit, then you come before God as people who have nothing and are nothing.  We confess our sins without excuses, without defenses, and without explaining our sins away.  That might work with our friends.  If you say to your friends, “Yes, I was rude to her, but she deserved it.  Sure, I fantasize about people I’m not married to, but what harm is there in that?  No, I don’t give time to Bible meditation and prayer; I’m busy.  I’ve got important things to do”, your friends might buy your excuses.  God does not.

     We do not bring anything to God that he needs.  We cannot present our lives as something God should reward.  We are bankrupt.  We are nothing.  That is what it means to be poor in spirit.  If we are to have anything, God must enrich us.  And he does!  Jesus has taken all the sins by which we are indebted to the Lord, and he makes the full payment for all of them.  Jesus suffered what sinners deserve by his cursed death at the cross.  And he enriches us with the righteousness we need to stand before God.  The Bible reminds us, “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).  So, when God the Father sees you, he sees the innocence of Jesus.  That is why his favor rests upon you.  That is why Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).  The kingdom of God is yours.  Right now.  You have forgiveness of all your sins now.  You are the saints of God now.  You have God’s favor upon you now.  Blessed are those who are in the kingdom of God.

     Most of the following beatitudes speak about the final goal of Jesus’ disciples.  Let’s consider the next one.  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).  We mourn because we are still sinners.  We are haunted by the sins of our past.  If you have lived long enough, the devil will remind you and accuse you of sins you committed decades ago.  Never mind that they are in the distant past.  You still feel the pain, the shame, the regret.  “I can’t believe I said that.”  “I can’t believe I did that.”  “I wonder if he ever got over that time I failed him.”  Everyone has a past.  In the present, we struggle with temptations, and we often lose the battle.  It doesn’t matter that we know better.  It doesn’t matter that we want to do better.  We still sin, and we are disgusted with ourselves because of it.  So, we mourn.

     “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).  The day will come when Jesus will deliver you away from this sinful world and from your sinful self.  He will bring you into the kingdom of glory, and God will wipe away every tear from your eyes.  There will be no more struggles against sin.  No shame.  No regret.  You will not hurt anyone with your sins, and no one will sin against you.  You will be comforted with everlasting peace.  Blessed are those who are in the kingdom of God.

     Most of the beatitudes speak about what Jesus’ disciples will receive.  “They shall inherit the earth.  They shall be satisfied (with righteousness).  They shall receive mercy.  They shall see God.  They shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:5-9).  These blessings will be given to you fully when you are delivered to the glories of heaven.  They have been purchased for you by the holy blood of Jesus.  They have been guaranteed to you by Jesus conquering the grave and gaining authority over death.  Because Jesus lives, he will raise you up from the dead to live forever with him.  The kingdom of God has been firmly established by Jesus, and it will be seen in greater glory by you at the Last Day.  Blessed are those who are in the kingdom of God.

     For now, the disciples of Jesus are called to be like Jesus.  We not only believe his word, we also order our lives according to it.  We strive to be like Jesus, which is what these beatitudes describe.  Jesus is the one who is meek, the one who hungers and thirst for our righteousness, the one who is merciful, the one who is pure in heart.  Jesus is THE peacemaker, reconciling God and mankind.

     If you are like Jesus, then expect to endure what Jesus endured; for no disciple is greater than his master.  Although Jesus was meek, pure, and a peacemaker, there were many who despised him.  They had no use for Jesus at all.  They mocked him, slandered him, falsely accused him, and sought both to harm him and to kill him.  When Jesus stood trial before the Sanhedrin, he was charged as an agitator, as one who preached against Moses, as one who threatened to destroy the temple.  False witnesses came forward to smear Jesus.  Finally, Jesus was condemned because he said he is the Son of God.  When those religious leaders presented Jesus to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, they changed the charges against him, accusing Jesus of opposing Caesar.  It did not matter that the charges were false; the goal was to cancel, to kill, to crucify Jesus—which they did.  You and I may not suffer death for the sake of Jesus and his word, but we should not be surprised if we are mocked and ridiculed for it. 

     There will always be people who mock God’s word.  “It is outdated.  It is full of hate.  It produces bigots.  It is full of lies and contradictions.”  And so on.  If you take your stand on God’s word and live your life according to it, you will be mocked and vilified, too.  Just ask Tony Dungy, former NFL coach and NBC sports commentator.  He defended the idea that babies in the womb should be allowed to live.  Many are calling for him to be fired.  Then ask Ivan Provorov, NHL hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers.  He refused to wear a uniform that supports same-sex relationships because the Bible condemns them.  He insisted upon standing firm on God’s word.  Many were calling for him to be suspended, fired, or even sent back to Russia.  If you stand firm on God’s word and refuse to give way to sin, you might likewise be mocked, vilified, and slandered.  You should not be surprised if it happens.

     But do you know what Jesus says about that?  “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when others 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 so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12). 

     You will not be happy if it should happen to you.  It will not be fun.  But you will not be alone.  They treated the prophets of God this way.  They treated the apostles this way.  They even treated the Son of God this way.  And if they should treat you this way, Jesus assures you that it does not your status.  His word still stands: Blessed are you.  And it does not change Jesus’ decree: The kingdom of heaven is yours. 

     Blessed are those who are in the kingdom of God.  Nothing that people say against you will change your standing before God.  Jesus Christ says that you are blessed.  God’s favor rests upon you.  No matter how much people rave and rage against God’s people, God will never be swayed by them.  You are his beloved people.  Blessed are you.  And no matter how much people despise and deny and dishonor God’s word, it will never make God’s word untrue.  Jesus assures you: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).  Those who despise Jesus and want nothing to do with him will one day get their wish.  They will be banished and sent off to an eternity without him.  But blessed are you who cling to the word of God; you will be saved.  The word of the Lord endures forever, and so do those who believe it.

     Blessed are you who are in the kingdom of God.  Jesus teaches you what it means to be his disciple.  He urges you to remain faithful to him, and Jesus keep you mindful of the glories that will come so that you will not be persuaded by the rantings of wicked people or enticed by any glory that a dying world promises.  Blessed are you, because you have a Savior who is always faithful to you.  You have a heavenly Father who loves you.  You have the Holy Spirit who supports and guides you.  The blessings of our Lord will strengthen and keep you until you enter the endless glories of his kingdom.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.