Embracing Kingdom Values: The Beatitudes and Christ's Mission

 

Summary

In the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter two fundamental problems humanity faces: our guilt before God and our bondage to sin and Satan. Jesus Christ, through His ministry, addresses both. At the River Jordan, His baptism symbolizes His taking on our sins, foreshadowing His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. This act signifies His mission to resolve our guilt and establish a relationship between us and the heavenly Father. Furthermore, Jesus confronts our bondage by overcoming temptation in the wilderness, refusing to be swayed from His path to the cross, where He would defeat the evil one through His death and resurrection.

The Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes, offers a profound insight into Christian living. It begins not with instructions on what to do or be, but with a declaration of the blessedness of what we already are as Christians. This foundational principle emphasizes that being precedes doing in the Christian life. The Beatitudes describe the characteristics of kingdom citizens, drawing from Old Testament descriptions of God's people. They highlight the paradoxical nature of the kingdom: we must be emptied to be filled, and the values of the world are reversed. The poor, meek, and those who mourn are blessed, and this countercultural transformation often leads to conflict and persecution.

These Beatitudes ultimately describe Jesus Himself, who embodies these qualities perfectly. As we grow in these characteristics, we become more like Christ, experiencing spiritual blessings even amidst trials. The Beatitudes flow in a rhythm, leading us from poverty of spirit to mourning, meekness, and a hunger for righteousness. This transformation results in mercy, purity of heart, and a desire for peace. Yet, paradoxically, this peace often brings persecution, as the world resists the kingdom's values.

In embracing these Beatitudes, we find ourselves blessed even in suffering, as it aligns us with Christ's own experiences. The central Beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," highlights a quality despised by the world but cherished by Jesus. Meekness involves a humble acceptance of God's sovereignty, allowing us to respond with grace to difficult people and circumstances. This characteristic, exemplified by Jesus, invites others to seek Him through us, revealing the transformative power of the Beatitudes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus' Mission and Baptism: Jesus' baptism at the Jordan symbolizes His taking on our sins, foreshadowing His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. This act signifies His mission to resolve our guilt and establish a relationship between us and the heavenly Father. [00:22]

2. The Beatitudes and Christian Identity: The Beatitudes begin by declaring the blessedness of what we already are as Christians, emphasizing that being precedes doing in the Christian life. This foundational principle highlights the importance of identity in Christ. [04:10]

3. Countercultural Kingdom Values: The Beatitudes reveal the paradoxical nature of the kingdom, where we must be emptied to be filled, and the values of the world are reversed. This transformation often leads to conflict and persecution, aligning us with Christ's own experiences. [08:00]

4. Transformation and Spiritual Growth: As we grow in the characteristics described in the Beatitudes, we become more like Christ, experiencing spiritual blessings even amidst trials. This transformation results in mercy, purity of heart, and a desire for peace. [12:30]

5. Meekness and Inheritance: The central Beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," highlights a quality despised by the world but cherished by Jesus. Meekness involves a humble acceptance of God's sovereignty, allowing us to respond with grace to difficult people and circumstances. [19:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:22] - Jesus' Baptism and Mission
- [01:07] - Overcoming Temptation
- [02:37] - Kingdom Authority and the Cross
- [03:19] - Introduction to the Beatitudes
- [04:10] - Being Before Doing
- [04:58] - The Blessedness of Kingdom Citizens
- [05:44] - Old Testament Fulfillment
- [06:26] - Contrasts and Paradoxes
- [07:15] - Reversing Worldly Values
- [08:47] - Conflict and Persecution
- [10:14] - Becoming Like Christ
- [11:45] - Spiritual Transformation
- [13:54] - Hunger for Righteousness
- [19:57] - The Central Beatitude: Meekness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 3:13-17 (Jesus' Baptism)
2. Matthew 4:1-11 (Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness)
3. Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes)

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus' baptism at the River Jordan symbolize in terms of His mission and our relationship with God? [00:22]

2. How does Jesus' response to temptation in the wilderness demonstrate His commitment to His mission? [01:07]

3. In the Beatitudes, what is the significance of the order in which the characteristics are presented, starting with "poor in spirit"? [04:10]

4. How do the Beatitudes reflect the values of the kingdom of God as opposed to worldly values? [08:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' baptism foreshadow His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, and what does this mean for resolving our guilt before God? [00:22]

2. In what ways do the Beatitudes describe the identity of Christians, and why is this identity foundational to Christian living? [04:10]

3. How does the concept of being "emptied to be filled" challenge our understanding of spiritual growth and transformation? [07:15]

4. Why might meekness be considered a central Beatitude, and how does it contrast with worldly perceptions of strength and power? [19:57]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt guilty or burdened by sin. How can Jesus' baptism and His mission to resolve our guilt encourage you in your spiritual journey? [00:22]

2. Consider the Beatitudes' emphasis on being before doing. How can you focus more on your identity in Christ rather than just your actions? [04:10]

3. The Beatitudes describe a countercultural way of living. What specific worldly value do you struggle with, and how can you embrace the kingdom's values instead? [08:00]

4. Meekness involves a humble acceptance of God's sovereignty. Think of a difficult person or situation in your life. How can you respond with meekness and grace? [19:57]

5. Jesus' experience of temptation in the wilderness shows His commitment to His mission. What temptations divert you from your spiritual path, and how can you overcome them? [01:07]

6. The Beatitudes suggest that spiritual blessings can come amidst trials. How have you experienced blessings during difficult times, and how can you remain open to them in the future? [10:57]

7. Reflect on the idea that persecution can be a sign of being aligned with Christ. How can you find encouragement in this when facing opposition for your faith? [17:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Baptism: A Symbol of Sacrifice
Jesus' baptism at the River Jordan is a profound symbol of His mission to take on the sins of humanity. This act foreshadows His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He would resolve our guilt and establish a relationship between us and the heavenly Father. By willingly stepping into the waters of baptism, Jesus identifies with our sinfulness, setting the stage for His redemptive work. This moment marks the beginning of His public ministry, where He would confront the powers of sin and Satan, ultimately triumphing through His death and resurrection. As believers, we are invited to reflect on the significance of Jesus' baptism and how it underscores His commitment to our salvation. [00:22]

Matthew 3:13-15 (ESV): "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' But Jesus answered him, 'Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he consented."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' baptism as a symbol of His sacrifice change your perspective on your own baptism and commitment to follow Him?


Day 2: Identity in Christ: Being Before Doing
The Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount begin with a declaration of the blessedness of what we already are as Christians. This foundational principle emphasizes that our identity in Christ precedes any actions we might take. The Beatitudes describe the characteristics of kingdom citizens, drawing from Old Testament descriptions of God's people. They highlight the paradoxical nature of the kingdom: we must be emptied to be filled, and the values of the world are reversed. As believers, we are called to embrace our identity in Christ, allowing it to shape our actions and attitudes. [04:10]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: In what ways can you focus more on your identity in Christ rather than on your actions or achievements today?


Day 3: Embracing Countercultural Kingdom Values
The Beatitudes reveal the paradoxical nature of the kingdom, where we must be emptied to be filled, and the values of the world are reversed. This transformation often leads to conflict and persecution, aligning us with Christ's own experiences. As we embrace these countercultural values, we find ourselves blessed even in suffering, as it aligns us with Christ's own experiences. The world may resist the kingdom's values, but as believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith, trusting in the transformative power of the Beatitudes. [08:00]

1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV): "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel tension between worldly values and kingdom values? How can you choose to embrace the values of the kingdom today?


Day 4: Transformation Through Spiritual Growth
As we grow in the characteristics described in the Beatitudes, we become more like Christ, experiencing spiritual blessings even amidst trials. This transformation results in mercy, purity of heart, and a desire for peace. The Beatitudes flow in a rhythm, leading us from poverty of spirit to mourning, meekness, and a hunger for righteousness. This spiritual growth is a journey that requires intentionality and reliance on the Holy Spirit. As we pursue these qualities, we reflect Christ's character to the world, inviting others to seek Him through us. [12:30]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What specific characteristic from the Beatitudes do you feel called to grow in today? How can you take a step towards that growth?


Day 5: Meekness: A Path to Inheritance
The central Beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," highlights a quality despised by the world but cherished by Jesus. Meekness involves a humble acceptance of God's sovereignty, allowing us to respond with grace to difficult people and circumstances. This characteristic, exemplified by Jesus, invites others to seek Him through us, revealing the transformative power of the Beatitudes. As we embrace meekness, we align ourselves with Christ's example, trusting in His promise of inheritance and eternal reward. [19:57]

James 1:21 (ESV): "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are tempted to respond with pride or defensiveness. How can you choose meekness and trust in God's sovereignty instead?

Quotes


In the river Jordan, he is in essence in symbol baptized into our sins. It is almost as though pictorially the waters into which people had washed away their sins symbolically, those waters are now poured over Jesus and He has a symbolic baptism that He will fulfill in what He called the baptism with which he was to be baptized on the cross. [00:28:53]

So Jesus has come to deal with the guilt of our sin so that we may have a relationship of children to the heavenly Father. But Jesus has also come to deal with our bondage and so once Jesus is baptized, Mathew tells us the Spirit leads him into the wilderness to be tempted. [00:59:36]

The Sermon on the Mount does not begin by telling us what we are to do as Christians. In a sense it does not even begin with telling us what we are to be as Christians. It begins by telling us the blessedness of what we actually are as Christians. This is such an important basic principle, is it not? [03:53:36]

The beatitudes as we call them that open the Sermon on the Mount are all telling us what we are. Sometimes, they are read aren’t they, as though Jesus were saying, “Now, you need to be this,” but what He is actually saying to the disciples is, “If you are in My kingdom this is what you are, and I want to tell you, explain to you what a blessed life that is.” [04:37:28]

The basic contrast is this, that in this kingdom you need to be emptied before you are filled. The gospel does not just add something to what you already have. What the gospel does is it first of all empties you of all that you are, and then it fills you with all that He is. [06:56:16]

They reverse the values of the world. They are profoundly countercultural in that sense. It is the poor who are blessed, it is the meek who inherit, it is those who mourn who are comforted. There is this radical reversal of the values of the world, because the values of the world devalue the values of God and so we need to be emptied in order to be filled. [07:50:48]

Because these are counter-cultural transformations that take place in our lives, although they transform us and begin to express something of the beauty of the Lord Jesus in our lives, they bring us into a world in which there is conflict and sometimes there is persecution. And so the beatitudes end on that note. [08:28:72]

If being in the kingdom means belonging to Jesus Christ, then we should expect that Christians will experience some of the same opposition that the Lord Jesus Himself experienced. So this is the first thing, it is a description of the citizens who are in the kingdom. Of course this is an ongoing work, and none of us is as yet complete. [10:14:56]

When we see them as whole they are really saying this is what it means to become like Jesus Christ. He is the blessed one, and in Him you will experience every spiritual blessing even if it comes with suffering and trials and opposition. There is a kind of flow to these beatitudes, is there not? [11:19:36]

Once God has worked in our lives, in that way we begin to have new ambitions, new tastes, new affections. We find ourselves strangely, it is not as though we make an effort to do this but we find that we love different things, we love different people, we love the church. [12:22:00]

When the beatitudes are true of us there are characteristics wrought into our lives that other people see, and there will come times in their lives when they will say, “I think I could go to him and ask him the way to Christ.” That is the wonder of the beatitudes. [22:48:32]

The central beatitude, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Now meekness was one of those characteristics that was utterly despised in the ancient world, but Jesus places a huge premium on it. What does it mean? Well think about where this wonderful beatitude lies in this list of beatitudes. [20:05:44]

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