The Manifesto
“All the Beatitudes Jesus uttered in the Gospel, he confirms by his example, exemplifying what he taught.” - Origen
We don't usually think of Jesus as a revolutionary, but he was. His teachings and actions challenged the status quo, rejecting the "eye for an eye" mentality and offering a radical new way of living. To know what Jesus stood for, look no further than the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew's Gospel covers this powerful teaching in chapters 5-7.
At the start of this sermon, Jesus sits on a mountainside as a rabbi, mirroring Moses' delivery of the Law at Mount Sinai. His first words are known as the Beatitudes—eight bold statements about who is truly blessed in God's Kingdom.
In the Bible, being "blessed" means having God's favor. But Jesus turns this idea upside down. He says the ones ready for God's Kingdom aren't the powerful or outwardly successful—it's those who know they need him. God's Kingdom, Jesus explains, is for the least likely and the most overlooked. In some translations, "Blessed are the..." is rendered as "Happy are those" or "How good is life for those."
For many in Jesus' audience, the "Kingdom of Heaven" meant a powerful, earthly kingdom led by a Messiah like King David. They expected someone to overthrow their Roman oppressors and restore Israel's glory. But Jesus had a different vision. His Kingdom wouldn't be built through violence but through love and peace.
"You want radical?" author Brennan Manning writes. "Jesus didn't just say love your neighbors; he said love your enemies."
In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus tells the Pharisees:
"The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the Kingdom of God is within you."
This Kingdom isn't about land or politics but a personal choice. It's living as if God is ruling over your heart, letting his love and grace transform you from the inside out.
When you act as a peacemaker, show mercy or hunger for righteousness, you bring God's reality into the world. You become a bridge between Heaven and Earth, living proof of God's grace and forgiveness. The Beatitudes aren't a collection of partisan points or a call to arms. They're a manifesto of spirit, an invitation to be changed so profoundly that the world around you starts to change, too. As we explore them, we'll discover the qualities of those already living in this new reality filled with God's radical love.
Schrock, David. “The Blessed Christ: How Jesus Exemplifies All His Beatitudes.” Via Emmaus, 12 June 2018, davidschrock.com/2018/06/12/the-blessed-christ-how-jesus-exemplifies-all-his-beatitudes/.
Welch, Bob. “Jesus’ Life Was Revolutionary Stuff.” FaithGateway, faithgateway.com/blogs/christian-books/jesus-life-revolutionary-stuff. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Spivey, Robert A., and Dwight Moody Smith. Anatomy of the New Testament: A Guide to It’s Structure and Meaning. 2nd ed., The Macmillan Company, 1974.
Bowker, John Westerdale. The Complete Bible Handbook. DK Publishing, 1998.
The Bible Book. DK Publishing, 2021.
