First Things First Revised Edition

The Beatitudes are the beginnings of what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, which is the first recorded teaching of Jesus. The entire sermon is foundational to all that follows, certainly in the life and times of Jesus, but all the more to those following him then and now. These Beatitudes are essential and critical teachings for all of life. They are the essence of the Kingdom of God defined.

This is Jesus cutting to the quick, laying it all out there in its fullness with no pretext or pretense for us to hear, understand, embrace, experience, and follow. This is not just godly parameters by which to pattern your life. This is his heart, his character, his personality, all fully reflecting his Father. This is where he wants us, and is inviting and calling us, to live. All of life and its experiences can be, and are meant to be, lived through the person and the principles offered here.

Perhaps it might be seen this way: Jesus has just entered the fullness of his earthly calling. He has just become the president of a new business, if you will, a new corporation. It is called the Kingdom of God. As is always the case, communication is critical to the formation, building, advancement, and success of any business. Thus, his first words – what he lays out, teaches, and establishes first – would be of utmost importance, of greatest value. They would set the standard, the foundation for all that follows.

The first communication from Jesus is these Beatitudes. They are the first of the first, the most important of the most important. What they bring to the table are revolutionary to the twenty-first century. They offer a means of living life that is totally contrary to the collective understanding, the common knowledge of the day, unfortunately even and often within Christian circles. They are totally amazing and, if embraced and followed, bring not only a new perspective but a new manner of life.

But this is not some new self-help concept, some seven-step model to a new and improved you. To the contrary, this is life as created, defined, established, and intended by the Creator.

One of the realities in this walk with God that must be seen and embraced is this: The standard Jesus is here establishing, and insisting on, is not attainable in human levels of understanding or behavior. This is by design because at the same time, in the same breath, it is fully attainable because he is right here to help. This is a spiritual principle that runs throughout Scripture, and life with him. On one hand, he states the directive, the command. On the other hand, he gives us what we need to fulfill that command.

This principle is true in the context of the Beatitudes as well. That to which he is calling us comes with his help and provision to accomplish, It is relationship. It is covenant. Several times in the Old Testament we find the Father establishing covenant with is people. The parameters are so amazingly wonderful for us, the receptors of his actions. He is the activist, initiator, establisher, and pursuer. And then if covenant is broken, he is even the receptor of the negative consequences. What a wonderful transaction for us!

The Beatitudes are New Testament covenant. This is full demonstration of his unconditional love and care for us, while in the same vein establishing his lordship. When we choose to follow, to yield our selves and agendas, our desires, intentions, and actions to him, he becomes Lord and we live life to the full, in freedom and peace, in contentment and fulfillment, covered and protected by the One who controls it all.

[From a different chapter that speaks thoroughly from the Beatitude which says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” comes discussion on the Greek word for meek, which is prautes.] In closing this chapter, I want to reiterate a bit. Walking entirely in the world of prautes brings several factors to play, in mind, heart, and lifestyle. There is a significantly deeper place of trust, rest, and peace. One is much closer to the Lord and hears from him much more readily. One no longer is compelled by uncertainty to ask the “Why?” question; it simply is not a factor. One is totally focused on the Lord and not at all on the circumstances of life; they are in his hands. Instead, one learns to ask the right questions, such as, what are you wanting to accomplish in me, and through me? Who are you developing me to be?

It is essential to see in this the joy described in James 1:2-4, where the author is speaking to the value of this work. This is very difficult, no doubt. It can be and often is slow and long, agonizing and distressing. For Jesus, it came to the point of actually sweating blood. We do well to see this as it is intended, to see the purposes behind it. Paul capsulizes this with excellence in Philippians 4:11-12 when he says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I have learned the secret of being content.” He learned. It did not come naturally or easily. The word content is not complacent, apathetic, or lethargic. It is not the prevailing attitude of the day reflected in the word whatever. Rather, it is much closer to shalom, which is a peace that is all-encompassing. When one is living fully in shalom, all that is within and around them is at peace. It is an overriding, overwhelming peace that has effect on all that is nearby. Going back to our story about Stallion in the story of the Horse Whisper, he came to the place, he was tamed to the place wherein he was completely contented – in the pasture, at rest or play, and in service to and with his master. That is prautes.