It think it is interesting to compare the accounts of the gospels of Matthew and Luke in regard to this sermon. Scholars have disagreed throughout the years in their explanations for the different perspectives and accounts of these two gospels. However, one of the most common explanations for the different gospel accounts lie in the target audience that both men were addressing with their writings. For example, Luke, as he was writing primarily to non-Jews, used different terminology and emphasized different points than did Matthew who was writing to the Jewish people in his account.
Let's compare the opening paragraphs of this Sermon to gain a better understanding of the differences we just discussed.
"He [Jesus] went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, . . . power was coming from Him and healing them all. Looking at His disciples, He said:"
"Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them. He said:"
The first paragraph is from the gospel of Luke. Luke, who was a physician, was also a thoughtful student of details. Just look at all the description that he gives us that Matthew doesn't include in his narrative. Matthew, focuses on the content, the life-giving truths that Jesus taught and modeled. His version stripped away descriptions, laying bare the words and actions of Jesus. Luke, while also consumed with maintaining the accuracy of Jesus teaching, chose to also paint us a picture of what else was going on during those moments.
There are several examples of their differing writing styles throughout the gospels but today we are only applying our magnifying glass to this particular sermon. (You can search for yourself the difference for instance in the description of the teaching location, ex: Luke describes it as a level place, in fact, his notes for this teaching includes the phrase, "Sermon on the Plain".) In my opinion, both Matthew and Luke accurately depict Jesus teaching, connected by the guiding of God's Spirit, communicating clearly for audiences present and future the gospel of Jesus Christ. So let's examine the first beatitude (or blessing).
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (Luke 6:20)
Remember that Jesus is talking primarily to His disciples, then the crowd surrounding them, and of course to everyone who would read His words in the future. Jesus opens with a shocker of a first sentence, challenging the cultural perception that those who are blessed by God are automatically prosperous. Jesus turns that around saying that the poor are blessed by God, not cursed. How can those in society who are the most in need be considered by God to be in the best position to obtain the kingdom of God?
First, let's examine the difference in wording between the gospels of Luke and Matthew. Remember, Luke is addressing non-Jews with his writing, so we notice an absence of reference to Mosaic law and righteousness. Luke is also working within the parameters of his target audience, Hellenistic moralists (referring to the influence of Greek culture and their morality teaching) who believed that God was a distant being, definitely not concerned with man's daily actions and that fortune favored the strong and cunning. This declaration by Jesus that the poor were the blessed would have been alien to Luke's readers. Then to further drive home this point, Luke records several stories relating Jesus' concern for the Gentiles and social outcasts, such as immoral women, Samaritans, tax collectors and the poor. The depth of these words given by Luke to convey Jesus' love and compassion for the mistreated, voiceless and poverty-stricken is evident throughout his gospel.
Matthew, on the other hand, is primarily writing to the Jewish people and so his focus shifts to the areas of righteousness and piety. He accents the issue of pride and that those who are the most humble are the ones who are most aware of their need for God. Grace is stressed above obedience. Access to the kingdom of God, Matthew writes, is not about our ability to obey Mosaic law and the hundreds of other laws added by the Pharisee leaders of Jesus time. Our genuine humility, coupled with our belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is the key to receiving salvation and entrance into God's kingdom.
If you would bear with me I would like to demonstrate the power of these truths in my own life. During times of prosperity, good health, finances, meeting career goals, it was very easy to forget or disregard the importance of Jesus in my life. I started to believe the false truth that I was captain of my destiny. Pride in my strength and accomplishments meant that my perception of life became upside down. Jesus, who sustains me through my every breath, is a jealous God and did not allow me to remain in that condition for very long. Using the least amount of pressure necessary, He started to reign me in, bringing me closer and closer to the Truth, peeling away my pillars of independence until I come to my senses. I was never further away from the kingdom of God then when I believed I was capable of living my own life, outside of His strength and wisdom. God calls that perception of life foolishness. I was a fool for a very long time.
Yet, because of the grace of Christ, I can now testify to my steadfast belief in the sovereign nature of God. After an extended season of living with challenges to my health, my family's health, finances, and career, the one bright spot to all these occurrences is my renewed dependence upon Christ. Please listen carefully, I'm not saying that God is behind every challenge, discouragement or tragedy in our lives. I am also not saying that it is impossible to be prosperous and still maintain our dependence upon God. But Jesus himself said, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Why is so difficult to be free of challenges in our health, finances, relations with loved ones, career, etc. and still enter the kingdom? Because our pride will in most cases supplement our awareness of our need for God.
We will all face moments of crisis and during those times God stands ready to comfort and draw us closer to Himself and His kingdom. These divine intersections are often used (not caused) by God to show us the state of our souls. That is why I believe that we are never closer to Him than when He is all we have left. The reality of mankind is we that we all have short memories. Left to our own devices, immune to challenges, most of us would discount the need for God in our daily lives. Have your ever been asked the question, "Isn't Christianity a crutch for people who can't make it on their own?" The answer, of course, is "Yes." But that requires that we admit that are crippled. And that reality is offensive to the perception of our own self-sufficiency. Remember Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)
I'll close with the words of John Piper, "The biblical answer to the paralysis of low self-esteem is not high self-esteem; it is sovereign grace." The reason we have so many self-help books, videos, counselors and speakers, all proclaiming that we have the answers within ourselves, is because the enemy knows our flesh deeply desires to feel like we are in control. But here is the reality that Jesus proclaims, we are all bankrupt in our spirits and helpless before a Holy God. The difference between the blessed and the cursed is reflected in our belief and action on that truth.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:44-46)
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's might hand, that He may lift you up in due time." (1 Peter 5:6)
