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By Tyson Thorne

August 17, 2016
 
 

The Galilean Ministry at Various Cities (4.14-9.50), 6.17-7.50 - A Day in the Life of Jesus, Part Two

As many before me have pointed out, the term translated “Blessed” in both Matthew and here in Luke chapter six, is more accurately rendered “happy” as it relates to humanity; historically, “blessed” is a term only used of divinity. This is important as it brings the message down from seemingly holy heights where we tend to over-spiritualize everything down to a level of life we are only too familiar and comfortable with. For this study then, the wisdom formula begins with “Happy are…”, followed by a group who seems unfortunate and ending with a promise of future glory.

“Happy are those who are among the pious poor for the kingdom of God presently belongs to you.”

This literal, expanded translation of the first beatitude is special among the beatitudes for it is the only one which a present-tense promise. But we’re getting ahead of the translation, so let’s back up just a bit. In Matthew this phrase is translated “poor in spirit”, yet here the formula leaves out “in spirit”. Even so, the word used here isn’t referring to the financially poor. Rather it refers to a group that is close to God, beloved by him. The psalmist talks about this group as “godly” rather than poor in spirit (Psalm 14.6) and tells us they are under God’s protection (Psalm 22.24), they are oppressed (Psalm 25.16) yet God saves them (Psalms 34.6) and pays attention to their fate (Psalm 40.17; 69.29).

So those who are oppressed and waiting on God for deliverance are happy. Why? In the past it was because God rescued them from their troubles, but Jesus goes a step further and promises that immediately, on the very day he spoke these words, the godly may advance into the kingdom of God! How is this possible? After all, God’s throne is still in heaven, not among men. The answer hangs on the definition of “kingdom”. Jesus stated earlier that his mission was to preach the kingdom of God (Luke 4.43), and he did so stating that it was “at hand”, meaning accessible. He also promised the disciples that they would not die before seeing the kingdom. So what is this kingdom Jesus brought and preached about?

When Jesus said that the pious poor, or the godly who were oppressed he was referring to Psalm 22. We looked at verse 24 earlier showing this connection, but this particular psalm is also about the kingdom (verse 28). Here are the verses in context:

22:24 For he did not despise or detest the suffering of the oppressed; he did not ignore him; when he cried out to him, he responded. 22:25 You are the reason I offer praise in the great assembly; I will fulfill my promises before the Lord’s loyal followers. 22:26 Let the oppressed eat and be filled! Let those who seek his help praise the Lord! May you live forever! 22:27 Let all the people of the earth acknowledge the Lord and turn to him! Let all the nations worship you! 22:28 For the Lord is king and rules over the nations.

In verse 28 we see there are two parts to a kingdom, territory (which is what we normally think of) and rulership. In the case of Jesus’ teaching, the kingdom is defined as God’s sovereign rule, not as a place or nation. This ties directly into Jesus’ teaching on prayer. He taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The idea of the kingdom is directly linked to God’s will, or sovereign rule. And later in Luke (chapter 19) we will read Jesus teaching the parable about a nobleman who goes to a distant land to receive a kingdom, and those in the kingdom said “we do not want this man to be king over us.” Jesus did bring about the kingdom of God, at least the first phase of it, through Jesus. For by trusting in Jesus we exchange the rule of sin in our lives for the rule of God and become part of his kingdom.

This is the message Jesus preached to all the cities of Galilee, that today the Kingdom of God which is the Rule of the Lord can be entered into by the godly oppressed people, and this is their happiness!