Do you know what ‘performative language’ is? These are statements that not only SAY something, they DO something. Things are different after they are uttered, like, “I take you to be my husband”— reality is changed, something goes click in the universe, and there is now a marriage. Other examples include: “I promise I will be there,” “I order you to do this,” “I resign,” “I forgive you,” and “I sentence you to prison.”

When Jesus makes pronouncements like those we call the Beatitudes [Matthew 5:1-12], many students of Matthew say that he is not simply informing us of something we didn’t already know. Jesus is making new realities. The poor in spirit are now blessed by God and are receiving the Kingdom of God.

What in the world could that mean? What in the Kingdom of God could that mean? Blessed are those who mourn, those who are persecuted, and those who are meek?! No one else in this world is saying those kinds of things. In fact, the world scoffs at that ‘sentiment’ and encourages the exact opposite — lucky are those who don’t have anything to weep about, those who are too strong to be picked on, and those who seem to take over every room they enter.

Think of advertisements you’ve seen, bosses you’ve encountered, and even prominent religious leaders. Is there a desire for meekness or the recognition of the goodness hidden within persecution? Indeed, if you were devising a religion based solely on this Sermon on the Mount, would it look like much of what presents itself today as Christianity?

Also read the lament of personification of Wisdom [Proverbs 1:20-25]. Who do you think she’s talking about? You?

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary.