1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

        Now begins the most well known discourse in Christian history, the Sermon on the Mount. One of five lengthy messages Jesus gave, this one stands unique in its literary form, as well as uncompromising in its spiritual acuity. Simple words yet riveting truth. Counter-intuitive, even ironic, this “religion” of His is a “not what you would think” kind of spirituality. And rightly it should strike us this way since we humans have strayed so far from living out God’s intended purpose for us on earth. This teaching is normative in the kingdom of heaven, which both He and John the Baptist had been preaching was near. He is preparing the people for what is expected in the coming, new order of things.

        He speaks to His disciples, though it is not clear whether this refers to the 12 disciples (more strictly defined) or to the multitude (which at various times were referred to as disciples). Regardless, the message’s impact remains the same. He begins with what we classically call “the Beatitudes.” Often seen written on bookmarks and wall plaques, they are like a preamble to the constitution of the kingdom. Whereas the preamble to the constitution of one particular earthly country speaks of the right to happiness, this preamble, that is the Beatitudes, of the Kingdom of Heaven speaks about the means to happiness. (Happiness is the core sense of what the word “blessed” means.)

        Eight statements are given, in the form of third person references. He is speaking of people in general as opposed to only the 12 disciples. The first has to do with the “poor in spirit,” best understood in contrast to its opposite, being “haughty or arrogant in spirit.” A person who is poor in spirit has not centered his life on himself as more important than others. Followers of Christ are those who humble themselves while keeping in view the greatness of attaining that which far surpasses the things of this world. The kingdom of heaven is at their disposal, and this means something great!

        The second beatitude has to do with those who mourn. Expanded further elsewhere, this foundational concept promises that the hardships and losses of this earthly life are not the final word. There is comfort in kingdom living.

Lord, the basic principles of this world, though they seem sensible, nevertheless bring death. I desire to walk in Your principles, which bring life: to live humbly and to know that the joy of comfort only comes through the sorrow of grief.