Chapter 4 Summary: The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

Who Is Really Well Off—The Beatitudes

So, who is really well off?

Common answers would include persons who fall into categories such as: rich, smart, beautiful, powerful…

But is that right? Do those qualifications really make a person “well off?”

In Jesus’ most famous sermon he deals with this exact question, but he does so in a way that leaves the crowd absolutely nailed to the floor. They didn't just offer a courteous “good word, pastor”when he was done speaking; but they stood amazed, “for he was teaching them as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29).

Unfortunately, in our day, the Beatitudes have been so mangled and misunderstood that, rather than standing in wonder and amazement, the listener is left feeling burdened by the impossibility of it all; wondering, “How am I to live in response to them?” In order to answer this question and recapture the wonder we will need to understand the Sermon on the Mount in the context from which it emerges.“

We should assume,”says Willard, “that his teaching in the Beatitudes is a clarification or development of his primary theme in his talk and in his life: the availability of the kingdom of the heavens.” This is his main message, his “Big Idea,” if you will.

He uses what Willard describes as a “Show and Tell” method. Meaning, he shows them that he operates from within the kingdom (Matthew 4:24). Then, when these recent beneficiaries of the kingdom are gathered around to listen, he tells them how they are blessed because the kingdom has reached out to them. 

Willard points out that this showing and telling may be the reason beatitudes are only given while Jesus is amongst a crowd. He wants them to see clearly how the kingdom is at work.

Those recipients of the kingdom—“the poor in spirit” is what Jesus calls them—are the losers of society. They are those who would not be looked upon for advice, participation, or anything useful. They are simply warm bodies; unfortunate ones, at that. There is, in the eyes of the world, no sign that God smiles upon these unlucky no-goods. They are not well off, some would say; and yet we see them in the New Testament entering the kingdom after an encounter with the king. Thus they, too, are blessed.

But we must be careful to not misunderstand the Beatitudes. Jesus is not telling us how to become blessed. He is not saying, “Being poor is fantastic and if you want to be blessed you should impoverish yourself.” This type of interpretation serves to replace one legalism with another that is far more brutal that the former. Rather, what Jesus is doing is announcing the immanenceof the kingdom to these people. 

The blessing, therefore, is not found in the condition (being poor in spirit, meek, pure in heart, etc), it is found in the kingdom.

So Jesus’ gospel is that the kingdom of heaven has been made available to everyone. 
Even prostitutes? Corrupt CEO's? Abusive parents? Sexual Offenders? ISIS? Osama bin Laden? Adolf Hitler?

The answer to these questions that bewilder us is this: whenever we look upon someone as un-blessable because of their condition, because of their past, because of their skin color, the doors to the kingdom are thrust wide open to receive such a person.

By trusting in Jesus any person can enter the kingdom and receive the abundant life he offers. This is true regardless of their past. Little wonder the scribes and Pharisees complained saying, “He welcomes sinners and eats with them!” Of course he does!

This is why we see the “sinners”of the day gathering around him (Luke 15:1-2). He offered them something that was marvelous beyond consideration. It was, if you will, like finding a treasure hidden in a field. They would trade in everything to take hold of it (Matthew 13:44).

So Jesus comes showing and telling how God’s kingdom has become available to any and everyone. He does so by teaching in such a way that goes straight to the heart. He is not trying to simply impart information, as teachers of our day do, but he aims his message right at a person’s core, because real transformation happens in the heart. His aim is to see people rush headlong into the kingdom of heaven. For there the good life is lived.

So who is really well off?

Answer: Anyone who is alive in the kingdom of heaven.

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