Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1–12 (RSV)
A passage of Scripture that is as well known as the Beatitudes suffers from two distinct problems among the faithful. We know it so well that we hardly hear it as it is read, giving the words' gravity only a passing thought. It is also so well known that preachers dread preaching on it, often resorting to some 'cute' idea or approach so novel that it has nothing to do with the Scripture.
We forget that Scripture is read in the light of Christ and His resurrection from the dead. Jesus has begun His ministry. John the Baptist has been arrested, disciples have been called, sermons preached, healings done, evil spirits cast out, and God's Word is fulfilled.
We who live in time do not always recall that what we see as yet to come is for God already present. We look forward to a day when Jesus will return, bringing the Kingdom with Him. The truth is that the Kingdom has come, long ago, in a manger within a cave outside of Bethlehem. Jesus is the Kingdom alive and real among us. When he speaks of the Kingdom, He speaks of all that is happening as we now live.
We now live in the blessings of the Kingdom. We do not need them to come upon us; they are already here. Jesus teaches that we are already blessed in all the places of life, whether good or ill. Blessed not that we are poor in spirit or sorrow, instead blessed that Jesus is with us in such places. Though death may break our hearts, we are blessed with the comfort of the Risen Lord. As we are buried with Him in baptism, we are also raised with Him to a new life.
In Christ, we can be among the least among the billions, yet we are blessed in the Kingdom already here. We may be among those whose lives are tormented by those who do not need God. We may endure all manner of abuse at others' hands, but we know we are blessed to be in Christ and His Kingdom. In that strength, in that blessing, we are victors in Christ.
The world may regard our speaking of the Kingdom and the blessings that it brings as 'pie in the sky' thinking. We know that it has already come among us. Its reality brings blessings to all who have trusted and are trusting still in the promises of our Lord. We know that our present blessings are but a foretaste of all that is yet to come.
We who call upon the Name of Jesus know that all others think must come at the end of all things. We know that in Jesus, the Kingdom has already come. We know that we are blessed.