Upside Down Blessings

Matthew 5:2-5https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A2-5&version=NIV

Let's face it, most of us don't want to be poor in spirit....or meek....and we certainly don't want to mourn.  So why does Jesus say that those of us who are poor in spirit.....those of us who mourn....and those of us who are meek will be comforted?  In fact, the meek will inherit the earth!  This way of thinking is so counter intuitive to our basic human nature, and, dare I say it - to our experience as comfortable, suburban American Christians - that it is almost impossible to wrap our arms around it.

Those who mourn, those who are poor, those who are meek - those aren't who we think of as 'successful' people.  We want material and emotional blessings from God, and we often think that is the 'payback' for following him.   And yet these verses call us to care for the poor, for those who mourn, and for the meek - those who haven't experienced worldly success as we define it.  

Who are 'the poor in spirit?'  Could Jesus be asking us to come alongside those who have lost a  job that provided their family with food, clothing and shelter?  What about people who have succumbed to drug or alcohol addiction, and who see no way out of the spiral of defeat and decay?  Could those who mourn also refer to those who are estranged from family or friends and can't see a way back to wholeness and reconciliation?  When Jesus talks about the meek, does he mean timid, shy people?  Or could he be talking about a humble spirit, someone who has his/her priorities straight and realizes that God is truly in control?  

 The smash Broadway hit musical, Hamilton, focuses on the life of a poor immigrant, Alexander Hamilton, who through hard work, raw ambition, and some luck (right place right time) becomes one of the key players in the American Revolution and the founding of the new country.  He has an all-consuming desire to make his mark in history.  One song focuses on that as he sings "I want to be in the room when it happens."  This kind of desire runs completely counter to Jesus' focus on blessing the meek, the poor in spirit, and those who mourn.  And yet, deep down, we all want to 'make our mark.'  

Jesus challenges us to care for the poor, those who mourn, and the meek.  They are often on the fringes of polite society, and they can be uncomfortable to be around.  And yet he tells us that they will be comforted.  They will inherit the earth.  Jesus is turning conventional wisdom upside down.  

Dare we follow him?  

Lord, I confess that these verses are disquieting.  I want to lead a successful life full of spiritual and material blessings.  I want to 'be in the room where it happens.'  Help me to seek out the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who mourn, and to share your love with them in ways that honor you.  Amen.