I am a Jesus pusher!!! The “Formation of the Kingdom” is strongly established for us in the Beatitudes, the opening directives of the Sermon on the Mount. In many ways, they are foundational; everything Jesus states after them will be found in them and come from them. The Beatitudes do not make sense unless they are clearly seen in Jesus. He is the solution to the mystery of the Beatitudes. No doubt this will be stated repeatedly in every study. The Sermon on the Mount is not an instructional manual for godly living. It describes a relationship with Jesus changing the very level of one’s living. Our position is “poor in spirit.” In this helpless, destitute estate, He finds us! When my helplessness and His resource come together, the Kingdom is formed. We become the Kingdom and the remaining Beatitudes happen in this relationship.
It is quite natural to be enamored with this new life, the Kingdom of Heaven. We might naturally become fixated on the personal benefits we experience in His embrace. But He will not allow this. All Jesus does in us is focused. We are not to experience the Beatitudes in isolation or just among fellow believers. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus attaches four strong verses on the “Function of the Kingdom” (Matthew 5:13-16). He does not emphasize a good program at the church. He does not highlight spiritual disciplines, charitable deeds, or prayer and fasting. He does not present a set of rules for the activities resulting from intimacy with Him. From the beginning the view is worldwide! Jesus is the answer for my world. I am a Jesus pusher!!!