Until now.
This is the first slice of his teaching that he's given us to listen to, and it begins with another reminder of how popular and powerful Jesus was. Crowds from all over the nation were flocking to him, all trying to touch him, and all their sick were healed.
Then at last Jesus speaks.
Blessed! God blesses you! How happy you are!
Who is blessed? Who is happy? Who will be smiling in God's new world order?
Not the usual suspects, but the poor, the hungry, those who weep. Those who are hated and excluded and mocked for following this maverick preacher.
Leap for joy! Jesus tells his ragbag of followers. Such a blessing is coming that you won't know what to do with it all. He compares them to the prophets, the heroes of old - persecuted themselves by the establishment of their day.
Something new has begun - the old guard will fight it, but they can't hold back its blessings.
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