BIBLE 101: BELOVEDNESS

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught 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 receive 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 for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people 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 in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” —Matthew 5:1-12 When I think of the word “blessed,” I have to admit that the ones whom Jesus is blessing in these verses of Matthew are not the first who come to mind. I often want to believe being blessed means everything feels ‘put together’ and ‘in place.’ That I’ve got my ‘stuff’ figured out, if you know what I mean.

So, I am always a little taken aback when I revisit these powerful words from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. To offer some context cues, the Roman empire was one that strived to be marked by greatness—celebrating the wealthy, the strongest, the celebrities. It was heavily influenced by expansion, profits, and power. If I am being honest, that doesn’t seem much different than the culture I currently find myself in. It’s here where Jesus offered this sermon as one of his first teachings. Departing from the crowds

Bible 101

BELOVEDNESS

by Pastor Kaitlyn Forster (kaitlynf@lordoflife.org)

BELOVEDNESS

who had been following him. Reflecting on the people, with all of their beauty and pain, he had encountered. The Beatitudes were the opening that he gave to the disciples.

Blessed are those who have been overlooked.

Blessed are those who have deep needs that yearn to be seen.

Blessed are those who have had more than their fair share of hurt, pain, suffering. Jesus was inviting them to challenge the narratives that they had been given about how to be a society, by bestowing words of love and acceptance on those who may not have felt them. Recently, I read Dear White Peacemakers by Rev. Osheta Moore, and she so aptly notes each beatitude takes on a common Roman ideal and turns it on its head as Jesus’ way of extending compassion, saying, “I see you and you are not alone” (Page 128). It certainly is a powerful way to envision the kingdom of God as one that uplifts the moments that make us feel vulnerable as the very ones that convey belovedness. She also invites the reader to recognize this belovedness that Jesus extends as a starting place for making the world a better society to live in. When we can recognize our own God-given belovedness, we are more equipped to recognize the belovedness of others. Recognizing love as what binds people together also empowers us to have tough conversations with grit and grace and to be led by faith into peacemaking.

On November 9, Lord of Life is hosting Rev. Osheta Moore to share more about her book, ministry, and call towards shalom (peace). A followup Bible study on the Beatitudes will be on Tuesday, November 16.

november 9 rev. osheta moore

november 16 follow-up study

For more details on these events, visit lordoflife.org/dearwhitepeacemakers.