I am a Jesus Pusher!!! As we begin our study on salt and light following the Beatitudes, we must view it in the flow of the chapter. The chapter is formulated into four sections: The Formation of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:3-12), The Function of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:13-16), The Fulfillment of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:17-48). The Beatitudes are “The Formation of the Kingdom.” They are statements of “congratulations!” All other moral systems of the world promote working, striving, and trying. Through faithful endeavoring one may hope to reach the goal. Jesus begins with congratulations for your arrival. In other words, what all other moral systems require you to earn, Jesus give you!
How could this be? Jesus is the answer! Every section of the Sermon on the Mount is found true because of Jesus. All Beatitudes, from the first to the last, become true because of intimacy with Jesus. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). He just congratulated us for being “poor in spirit.” The Greek word “ptochos,” translated “poor,” means to be absolutely destitute. It is “begging poor” without any resources. This condition enables Jesus to be our total resource! When we become an individual sourced by Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven is formed. We do not get there by discipline, earning, or meriting; we must “mourn” (Matthew 5:4). In accepting who we are, we enable Jesus to come. We become the Kingdom in Him. The Kingdom of Heaven is a state of existence, which is relationship with Him. All the Beatitudes are ours in this relationship. Each is a state of being in Him. He is all in all; so, I am a Jesus pusher!!!