Tomorrow we observe All Saint's Day in church. Here are some thoughts that I have concerning tomorrow's Gospel text, Matthew 5:1-12...
The revelation of God is revealed to those who are his disciples. The end times intrusion upon the earth that God has made in Jesus Christ is what makes the disciples “blessed.” They are blessed because of the already reality of the advancement of the reign of heaven, but they also wait in anticipation of the not yet. The not yet is the day of reversal when the wicked ones the Psalmist lament about will be put away forever, including the very wicked one himself the devil, and the righteous will remain. The entire life of the Christian is one in anticipation, in hope, of the things to come. Yet, this does not create a disavowal for what is already here. There is still work to be done for sure, and those who are a part of that working reign of heaven are certainly blessed.
Social justice theories and Evangelical moral laws of conduct do not give this text its due. The purpose of the beatitudes is not to advance left wing political ideology or right wing American theology. The beatitudes are Gospel, pure and simple. The best way to study and read the beatitudes is within the narrative framework that Matthew the Evangelist uses. There is no reason to tear them from their place in the story of salvation. Those beatitudes speak a truth and a reality about those found in Christ. Ours is already now the reign of heaven, even as we wait the day of the not yet. The future promises found in the beatitudes establish the purpose of Jesus’ coming, dying, and rising again. The purpose is restoration. And all of creation groans with the flock of Jesus for that day when all things will be made new. There is no hope outside of Christ. The beatitudes point directly at what that hope is.
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