March 20th, 2026
Friday, March 20
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
~Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
~Matthew 5:1-12
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Jesus’ beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 are statements of prophetic blessing. Each one of them dares boldly to announce divine blessing to categories of people whose lives are “unblessed” in Jesus’ world. If they are not “unblessed” already, then aligning themselves with Jesus’ blessings will land them among the “unblessed” in due time.
Yet, Jesus speaks as if that’s not right. He boldly claims blessing over those who do not qualify as the “blessed” in nearly every category of life in the 1st century. Jesus’ beatitudes are prophetic witnesses because they pronounce blessing against what is taken as “blessing” in the world as we know it. They imagine an alternative way of being in this world that is not according to human categories. They’re still just as counter-cultural today, in spite of how much we think we inhabit more “just” world.
To be a prophetic witness in the world is to live as if Jesus’ announcements of blessing are real and true. It is to recognize there is a kingdom where the poor in spirit are not pushed to the margins, but fully welcomed as people who belong.
To be a prophetic witness in the world is to embrace mourning because it reveals the world’s sadness, but also because there is finally a comfort among the people of Jesus’ kingdom.
To be a prophetic witness is to confidently take on meekness and humility in relation to others because our status and standing does not depend on how we are evaluated according to the world’s pursuits of significance.
To be a prophetic witness is to hunger and thirst for justice, which is to live uncomfortably in this world where human relationships are dictated more by self-preservation than concern for others, especially for the lowly, whose “justice” depends on systems that benefit the capable.
To be a prophetic witness is to embrace mercy in a world where retaliation is the name of the game. It is to risk looking foolish in order to identify with the king and kingdom who forgives the enemy.
To be a prophetic witness is to be pure in heart, that is, single minded in devotion and undistracted by the cares of this world, to not listen to or be directed by the latest click-bait, the newest tik-tok or Instagram phenom, or other frivolity that is passing away.
To be a prophetic witness is to be about the business of creating peace in a world where people are more interested making their voice heard by staking their position in either-or debates and keeping those who don’t think like you at a distance.
To be a prophetic witness is to risk being harassed, criticized, and made fun of, not just because we “believe” different things, but because we live according to a different righteousness.
To be a prophetic witness is to take Jesus seriously in what he says, even if it's not how the world works. To be a prophetic witness is to live as "pre-fossils." We are not evidence of the past, but evidence in this world of the future to come.
__________________________________________
For reflection:
Prayer: Heavenly father, you bless those this world does not always bless. May we live our lives according to the hope of your blessings. Amen.
Jesus’ beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 are statements of prophetic blessing. Each one of them dares boldly to announce divine blessing to categories of people whose lives are “unblessed” in Jesus’ world. If they are not “unblessed” already, then aligning themselves with Jesus’ blessings will land them among the “unblessed” in due time.
Yet, Jesus speaks as if that’s not right. He boldly claims blessing over those who do not qualify as the “blessed” in nearly every category of life in the 1st century. Jesus’ beatitudes are prophetic witnesses because they pronounce blessing against what is taken as “blessing” in the world as we know it. They imagine an alternative way of being in this world that is not according to human categories. They’re still just as counter-cultural today, in spite of how much we think we inhabit more “just” world.
To be a prophetic witness in the world is to live as if Jesus’ announcements of blessing are real and true. It is to recognize there is a kingdom where the poor in spirit are not pushed to the margins, but fully welcomed as people who belong.
To be a prophetic witness in the world is to embrace mourning because it reveals the world’s sadness, but also because there is finally a comfort among the people of Jesus’ kingdom.
To be a prophetic witness is to confidently take on meekness and humility in relation to others because our status and standing does not depend on how we are evaluated according to the world’s pursuits of significance.
To be a prophetic witness is to hunger and thirst for justice, which is to live uncomfortably in this world where human relationships are dictated more by self-preservation than concern for others, especially for the lowly, whose “justice” depends on systems that benefit the capable.
To be a prophetic witness is to embrace mercy in a world where retaliation is the name of the game. It is to risk looking foolish in order to identify with the king and kingdom who forgives the enemy.
To be a prophetic witness is to be pure in heart, that is, single minded in devotion and undistracted by the cares of this world, to not listen to or be directed by the latest click-bait, the newest tik-tok or Instagram phenom, or other frivolity that is passing away.
To be a prophetic witness is to be about the business of creating peace in a world where people are more interested making their voice heard by staking their position in either-or debates and keeping those who don’t think like you at a distance.
To be a prophetic witness is to risk being harassed, criticized, and made fun of, not just because we “believe” different things, but because we live according to a different righteousness.
To be a prophetic witness is to take Jesus seriously in what he says, even if it's not how the world works. To be a prophetic witness is to live as "pre-fossils." We are not evidence of the past, but evidence in this world of the future to come.
__________________________________________
For reflection:
- Read Matthew 5:1-12. Consider each of Jesus’ statements of blessing. What things or people does our world consider “blessed”? How do Jesus’ statements contrast the world’s ideas of “blessed”?
- Maybe take time to write down how each of Jesus’ statements of blessing might be true of you. How are you each of these at one point or another? What does it mean that Jesus’ kingdom is made up of these, even if this world’s kingdoms are not?
- For those with kids: Read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Talk about what it means to be “blessed.” Do Jesus’ blessings say something different? Maybe talk about what Jesus’ blessing statements can mean in our lives today. If God blesses these people, does this give us hope? Does it give us courage?
Prayer: Heavenly father, you bless those this world does not always bless. May we live our lives according to the hope of your blessings. Amen.
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