Sermon on the Mount – Blessed are Those Who Mourn • FOUNDED IN TRUTH What does it mean to be Blessed

In this teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els delves into the meaning of the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, specifically focusing on the phrase “Blessed are those who mourn.” The discussion aims to uncover the radical nature of Yeshua’s (Jesus’s) words and challenge conventional understandings of what it means to be blessed.

The teaching begins by highlighting the purpose of Founded in Truth as a community founded on truth and love, where individuals can worship God. The series on the Sermon on the Mount is presented as a way to explore the “kingdom manifesto of Yeshua.” Vander Els emphasizes that the gospel, according to Yeshua, is not merely about securing a place in heaven after death through correct beliefs, but rather about the world changing as heaven comes to earth through the reign and rule of God manifested in Yeshua and his followers. He stresses the importance of repentance, which he defines as more than just confessing sins; it involves a fundamental change of mind, a readiness to re-evaluate one’s understanding of the biblical story, humanity, and personal choices in light of the approaching Kingdom of God.

Vander Els argues that the Sermon on the Mount has lost its radical impact due to familiarity. He contends that Yeshua’s teachings, such as “love your enemies,” are often glossed over because they are uncomfortable and challenging to apply in everyday life. He suggests that people tend to water down these teachings or limit their applicability. However, the speaker insists on the “absolutely insane, seemingly reckless” nature of Yeshua’s words.

The discussion then turns to the first verse of the sermon, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Vander Els explains that this refers to those who are so broken that God is their only hope, or even those who have had hope in God taken away from them. He cites a Pew Research report from 2019 indicating a mass exodus of young people from the church, not due to a lack of understanding of the Bible or disbelief in God, but because of issues within church communities, pastors, ethics, and political reasons. This highlights a failure of God’s people to accurately represent Him, sometimes creating a “God made in our image,” which younger generations can see through.

Moving to the second Beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn,” Vander Els notes that while mourning is a sad reality of life, those who mourn often develop empathy for others who are grieving. He observes that individuals who understand grief may not offer standard condolences but instead acknowledge the pain of the present reality and the unwanted change in their world.

The speaker then delves into the meaning of the word “blessed” in this context. He suggests that “blessed” might be a poor translation, as it implies receiving a prize or gift from God for mourning. He explains that the Greek word used is “makarios,” which is difficult to translate. To understand it better, he looks at extra-biblical writings and the Hebrew equivalent in the Old Testament through the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew word for the blessing given by Jacob is “berech” or “berechah,” but this is not the equivalent of “makarios.” Instead, the Hebrew word is “asherah,” which is generally translated as “happy, happy, happy.”

Vander Els illustrates the use of “asherah” by referencing Psalm 1:1-3, which describes how happy is the one who does not follow the wicked but delights in the Lord’s instruction, comparing them to a prosperous tree. He also cites 1 Kings 10:8, where the Queen of Sheba, in awe of King Solomon’s wealth and achievements, exclaims, “How happy I am.” The speaker clarifies that “asherah” is not about a gift from God but a descriptive word for the good life that someone else has, a flourishing life.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Recognise the value of empathy: When encountering others who are mourning or suffering, remember that those who have experienced deep loss often possess a profound capacity for empathy and can offer unique comfort.
• Re-evaluate worldly definitions of success: Challenge the cultural norms that equate flourishing with wealth, power, and comfort. Consider Yeshua’s perspective that those who mourn, the poor in spirit, and the persecuted are considered “flourishing” in the context of God’s kingdom.
• Be a source of hope in a broken world: Understand that experiencing hardship can position you to be a revolutionary for positive change, offering hope to those who have lost it and working towards a world aligned with God’s justice and righteousness.
• Embrace the discomfort of Yeshua’s teachings: Do not shy away from the challenging aspects of the gospel, such as loving enemies or understanding blessing in the context of suffering. These teachings are meant to be transformative.
• Look beyond present circumstances: Hold onto the hope of God’s promises for the future, where mourning will be replaced with joy and injustice with equity. This hope can sustain you through difficult times.
• Live a life that reflects the kingdom ethic: Consider how your life can embody humility, compassion, and service to others, especially those who are suffering or in need, following the example of Yeshua and figures like St. Francis.
• Be prepared for change (repentance): Continuously examine your own beliefs, attitudes, and actions in light of the gospel, being open to re-evaluating your understanding of God and how to live according to His kingdom principles.

References

Bible Verses

• Matthew 5:3
• Matthew 5:4
• Matthew 19
• Luke 4
• Psalm 1:1-3
• 1 Kings 10:8
• Isaiah 61
• 1 Peter 4

Books and Resources Mentioned

• The Sermon on the Mount and Flourishing Humanity by Jonathan Pennington