I once viewed the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 as a kind of sop Jesus threw to the unfortunates: Well, since you arent rich, and your health is bad, and your face is wet with tears, Ill toss out a few nice phrases to make you feel better.
Unlike medieval kings who threw coins to the masses, though, Jesus had the advantage of dangling real rewards before His audience. He who came down from heaven knew well that the glories of the kingdom of heaven would easily counterbalance whatever misery we might encounter here on earth.
Among many Christians, an emphasis on future rewards has gone out of fashion. My former pastor Bill Leslie used to observe, As churches grow wealthier and more successful, theyre less likely to sing This world is not my home, Im just a passin through and more likely to intone, This is my Fathers world.
We dare not discount the value of hope in future rewards. One need only listen to the songs composed by American slaves to realize this consolation of belief. Swing low, sweet chariot, comin for to carry me home. Nobody knows the trouble Ive seen, nobody knows but Jesus.
Over time I have learned to respect, and even long for, the future rewards Jesus has promised.