“You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.”
Jesus in Matthew 5:13-14
April 2024
How would you answer the question: Who has the good life? What types of characteristics would you include? Ideas that come to my mind are: Healthy. Happy. Financially stable. Content. Having purpose. Close relationships. Socially connected. Freedom to exercise our gifts and talents. It would also be a lot of fun to play second base for the Cubs for a season or two.
There is nothing wrong with any of those things. It actually does sound like a fairly good life. But my list is a little different than Jesus’ list. In Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is talking to a large gathering of people. And they aren’t all healthy, although Jesus heals some of them. And they aren’t socially connected or living in a stable situation. At the time, the Roman Empire was in control and they were at the mercy of whatever Caesar decided. They didn’t have much power - politically or financially. They wouldn’t necessarily be the people you would choose to start a revolution.
In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus tells us who he thinks is living the good life. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the meek. Tim Mackie, of the Bible Project suggests that the best translation of the word “blessed” in modern American English is “The good life.” Jesus is saying the good life belongs to the poor in spirit. The good life belongs to those who mourn. The good life belongs to the meek (or those without power). The first three beatitudes don’t sound very good. Neither does the last beatitude (the good life belongs to those who are persecuted, Matthew 5:10). And maybe none of them are all that great — the merciful are usually taken advantage of; peacemakers, by definition. are in the midst of turmoil; hungering and thirsting for righteousness means you don’t have it. Why does Jesus say they have the good life?
The reason Jesus says this ragtag group of people has the good life is not necessarily because of their present state - poor, grieving, powerless - but because of what Jesus gives them. Jesus says they will have the kingdom of heaven. And comfort. They will inherit the earth. And they will be filled and receive mercy. And they will be called the children of God.
I think the reason that Jesus highlights these characteristics is because the good life Jesus offers only makes sense to those who know they don’t have it already. It is not because those who are financially secure or healthy or powerful (in worldly terms) aren’t invited into God’s kingdom, but because it is more difficult for those who are in positions of relative comfort to realize they are needy in the first place. And the gospel, by definition, is only for the needy. Jesus does for us what we can’t do for ourselves. If we weren’t in need, Jesus wouldn’t be necessary.
Every once in a while, I’ll hear someone say that they were taught that “God helps those who help themselves.” And I hate to burst their bubble but that is the exact opposite of what the good news of Jesus is all about - the gospel is that God helps those who cannot help themselves. That is what salvation means - if we could save ourselves we wouldn’t need help. But we can’t save ourselves and so God gives us Jesus. The hurting and the broken and the mourning and those without power are the ones most likely to realize they need help. And so Jesus says they have the good life.
What is even more radical is what Jesus says next. This ragtag collection of people, the broken and the hurting and the poor in spirit, are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We will look at what it means to be salt and light in a future article. But let me try and summarize it. These are the people that are going to bring goodness and hope to the world. These people without power or influence or resources are going to be the people God uses to preserve and enlighten the world.
Jesus is inviting us to trust that the ways of the world are different from the ways of God’s kingdom. And the powerful in God’s kingdom often look foolish in the eyes of the world.
The good life is recognizing our need. Because then, and only then, can we see and receive the great provision of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, give us eyes to see.
Pastor Doug