Meritocracy

Meritocracy is a philosophy in which economic advantages and political power are vested in people based on their ability, talent, and hard work, not their wealth, social status, or class divisions. The “American dream” is an example of meritocracy. This is called “Achieved Honor.” In contrast, some cultures honor people based on their families, wealth, and social status, which is “Acquired Honor.” The brahmins in India have acquired honor compared to the dalits, based on the caste they are born in.

Sadly, the poor, the hungry, the afflicted, and the hated people do not have honor in any culture. Meritocracy cultures look down on them as if they haven’t worked hard enough to pick them up by their bootstraps, forgetting they are in a system that works against them. Those with acquired honor can’t be bothered by them; “Too bad” or “Bless their souls” are all they can say about them and their situation.

As Jesus and his newly appointed apostles came down from the mountain to a plain, “a large crowd of disciples” and a multitude of people from all of Judea, Jerusalem, Tyre, and Sidon came to see Jesus – to hear him speak, for him to heal their sickly, and to cleanse them of their unclean spirits (Luke 6:17–18). They thought, “If only we touch him, his power will heal us” (6:19).

To their surprise, Jesus had an unexpected message for them.

“Blessed are the poor . . . the hungry . . . the weepers . . . and those who are hated.” (Luke 6:20–22)

If someone in the audience thought that Jesus had lost his mind, it wouldn’t be the first time! How could someone poor, hungry, weeping, and hated be “blessed”?

Jacob had two wives: Leah, whom he hated, and Rachel, whom he loved. God, however, closed Rachel’s womb and opened Leah’s so that Jacob’s sons were born through Leah. But eventually, Leah couldn’t have babies either. So (following their culture), she gave her maidservant to Jacob, and she gave Leah a son. Leah said,

Be-Gad – [By blessedness] – and named him Gad [Blessed]. (Gen 30:11)

Leah’s hope to keep Jacob loving her (sadly) was to keep giving him sons, even if they were through her maidservant. That, for Leah, was blessedness.

Elsewhere, the Law said,

“Blessed are you, Israel. Who is like you? You are a people whom YHWH saved. He is your shield, helper, and a mighty sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will triumph over them.” (Deut 33:29).

The Hebrews were familiar with this concept of blessedness by YHWH – on whom his mercy abides. As such, they would have been puzzled by Jesus’s statement. How could they be – without any acquired or achieved honor – “blessed”?

But yes, they were . . . because . . .

Regardless of their poverty, they were admitted into God’s kingdom (Luke 6:20)

When they hungered, God himself provided for their needs (6:21a)

God turned their tears and cries into laughter (6:21b)

When people hated them, rejected them, insulted them, called them names . . . they were still blessed by God (6:22)

In times of suffering, it is difficult to see beyond the situation. But behind all evil and sadness, God still works and brings victory so that we can truly say, “We are blessed.”