The Beatitudes that Christ taught come to us in two parts.

The first four Beatitudes describe the surprising recipients of our Father’s favor.

• Blessed are the poor in spirit

• Blessed are those who mourn

• Blessed are the meek

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice

These are the ones most people consider at the bottom of society’s pecking order. They represent people who are on the fringes, whose life seems destined for sorrow and failure, who find themselves without power, and who are crying out for justice in their unjust circumstances. The systems of this world are often stacked against them. Nobody wants their life. Nobody makes it their ambition to go down the path they’re on. They are mostly empty, powerless, and oppressed. No one would consider them life’s “winners.”

When Christ pronounces them blessed, he evokes the mission he proclaimed in Luke 4:18-19 —

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Though the world neglects them, our Father has set his attention upon them. Though most people ignore them, our Father has come to walk with them in Christ. Though life and its structures seem to offer them little hope, our Father is acting to redeem them and make their lives new. Though religion has taught them that righteousness would bring them blessing and prosperity, they haven’t seen a pay-off. They remain poor, sad, and hopeless. Nevertheless, our Father has destined them to receive his favor.

In other words, the first part of the Beatitudes IS the Gospel, the Good News directed particularly at those who have nothing but bad news in their lives.

This is the surprising thing about these sayings. One might have expected that Messiah would come to the religious leaders, to the powerful, the gifted, those with the resources and connections to “make things happen” in the world, so that our Father’s Kingdom could come in power and glory. However, from the beginning, Christ surprised the people in authority by directing his message to the most unlikely to succeed. To be sure, Christ came for everyone, but he came with a special focus on the poor to reveal the extent of our Father’s love, grace, and transforming power.

That brings us to the second part of the Beatitudes. These have a different focus.

• Blessed are the merciful

• Blessed are the pure in heart

• Blessed are the peacemakers

• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

No longer is Christ talking about those who are poor and oppressed. Instead, he is speaking to us who are trying to do something about the poor and oppressed. He is addressing us who are trying to make the world a better place, to bring healing and comfort to the kinds of people who are mentioned in the first half of the Beatitudes.

We are not doing it from positions of power and authority. We are not using the methods and tactics of the world to try and solve the world’s problems. We do this simply because we love.

• Instead of pronouncing judgment, we are exercising mercy.

• Instead of focusing on the faults of others, we are trying to keep our own hearts pure.

• Instead of fighting, we are working to make peace.

• And as a result, instead of being honored, we may at times be ridiculed for trying to do what is right … which is to usher in TRANSFORMATION through Christ.

Christ is pronouncing blessing on his followers who are seeking to be active in his Kingdom come. We see straight to the heart and focus our efforts on the problem. In these Beatitudes, Christ joins our company as the last and greatest of the prophets, the merciful, pure, peacemaking King who was persecuted, suffered, and died.

In other words, the Beatitudes are about:

• the unlikely people Christ came to bring good news to, and

• the unlikely way in which he (and others) would bring them that news.

I’m struck especially by the second point as it brings deeply to heart the mission of FCM as well as our roles and functions inside of it.

We know what Christ wants us to do. He set the pattern: Bring good news to the poor. Be merciful. Keep our hearts pure. Make peace.

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FCM Administrator Randy Dawson is a father, grandfather, husband, brother, mystic, pilgrim, retired staff prison chaplain, volunteer prison chaplain, spiritual care provider, and grief and trauma counselor.