How Jesus’ Words Challenge the World and the Church Today
We live in a world that feels overwhelmed by bad news. Every day, it seems like another scandal breaks—political fights, injustice, poverty, and the endless struggle for power and wealth. Even inside the church, reports of corruption, hypocrisy, and leaders losing sight of what really matters have become common. So, where does that leave us? Can we really hope for something better?
Jesus answered that question more than 2,000 years ago when He sat down on a mountainside and spoke the Beatitudes. These are eight simple statements at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). But they aren’t just nice sayings—they’re radical principles that flip our world’s values upside down.
What Are the Beatitudes?
They start with “Blessed are…” and give us a picture of the kind of people God calls blessed. Not the rich or powerful. Not the ones with fancy titles or big bank accounts. Instead, Jesus honors those who are humble, merciful, and hungry for justice. He lifts up peacemakers and those who keep their hearts pure, even when it’s tough. And He even blesses those who are mistreated for doing what is right.
Here’s a snapshot:
· Blessed are the poor in spirit: They know they need God.
· Blessed are those who mourn: They grieve over what’s wrong in themselves and the world.
· Blessed are the meek: They don’t push others down to get ahead.
· Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: They want things to be right and just.
· Blessed are the merciful: They forgive and help, even when it’s hard.
· Blessed are the pure in heart: They don’t play games or hide behind masks.
· Blessed are the peacemakers: They build bridges, not walls.
· Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness: They stick to what’s right, even when it costs them.
How Do the Beatitudes Expose Corruption?
Corruption—whether in the world or in the church—always starts when people chase power, money, or popularity at any cost. We see it in global issues: climate change, war, racism, and economic inequality. We see it in the headlines about church scandals, cover-ups, and leaders who forget the basic teachings of Jesus.
The Beatitudes shine a spotlight on this kind of corruption. They remind us that the real path to happiness isn’t found in stepping on others or covering up our mistakes. It’s found in humility, honesty, compassion, and a deep hunger for justice. Jesus calls out the pride and self-interest that fuel corruption and invites us to live differently.
The Church’s Calling
The church is meant to be a place of transformation—a “called out assembly,” as the Bible says. But too often, it’s tempted by the same things as the world: prestige, comfort, and influence. When the church loses sight of the Beatitudes and kingdom principles, it stops being a light in the darkness. Instead, it can become part of the problem, rather than the solution.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. The Beatitudes are a call to return to what matters: loving God, showing mercy, seeking justice, and living as people of hope. As followers of Jesus, we’re invited to walk as “children of light,” showing the world the difference that faith can make in real life.
Why Does It Matter?
When we look at the pain and division around us—whether it’s political unrest, poverty, or broken relationships—the message of the Beatitudes matters more than ever. They challenge us to ask hard questions: Am I living for myself, or for others? Do I seek justice, or just comfort? Am I willing to stand for what’s right, even if it costs me?
Living the Beatitudes Today
You don’t need to be a biblical scholar to understand the Beatitudes. Their message is simple: God cares about those who are overlooked, who hurt, who long for things to be better. He invites us to join Him in building a kingdom that looks nothing like the corrupt systems of our day.
It starts small—with a decision to forgive, a commitment to honesty, a choice to help someone in need. It grows bigger as we work together for justice and peace. And yes, it calls us to stand firm when we face temptation or opposition, just as John Wycliffe reminded: “How much higher the life is, so much the stronger is the temptation of the enemy.”
A Call to Return
Christian leaders and everyday believers alike are called to return to the heart of the gospel—the good news that Jesus preached. Kingdom principles aren’t outdated. They’re the answer to the brokenness we see all around us. When we live out the Beatitudes, we become part of God’s solution for a world and a church in need of healing.
Let’s not just talk about change—let’s choose it, one day at a time.
God bless,
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 