Blessed are the salty. This is how Jesus summarizes his introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. He is not claiming that we are blessed by the deliciousness of Steak ‘n Shake fries (although it would be accurate to say so). He is referring to how we, living a righteous lifestyle, are supposed to add flavor to the world. Further expanding his point, he says that our light- our joy - is supposed to radiate so brilliantly that people can’t help but to acknowledge, glorify and magnify God. When our lives point an arrow toward God, that is when we are blessed.

Jesus says some funny words immediately before his summary. Blessed are the persecuted. You are blessed when people insult you and when you are falsely accused of all kinds of evil. Can you imagine anybody posting or tweeting, “I got thrown into prison for my faith today. #tooblessedtobestressed”? It just doesn’t align with the feel-good, prosperity gospel, I-have-no-problems-in-my-life definition of blessed. It doesn’t make any sense until Jesus adds that we are blessed when he is the reason for the persecution and the insults.

And Jesus makes the persecution blessed because…..? Persecution is persecution. The reason behind it doesn’t make it joyful. Unless, of course, you are Paul and you exhort others multiple times to rejoice in the face of suffering, including imprisonment and beatings. Paul said he was no stranger to prosperity and to adversity, but he was still content regardless of circumstances. His secret? Leaning on Jesus. Making it his life’s mission to point an arrow towards God, even if that meant being in chains. Joy overwhelmingly flows from living by God’s design and in relation with him- by the way he originally intended us to live.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continued by giving specific examples of how we can point arrows toward God.

“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

The common response from people is to say, “Yeah, do what Jesus says here, but don’t let people take advantage of you.” Well, that sounds nice, but truly following these commands is an invitation for people to take advantage of you. You will get stepped on, but you will also be a step, lifting someone closer to God. They will see His love shine through you. Jesus is saying if it points to God, allow people to take advantage of you.

Of course these commands also need to be balanced with wisdom. There are times when you are unable to (or shouldn’t) provide exactly what people ask for. But you don’t have to send people away empty handed. If they ask for help paying a bill, it’s ok to give them food instead. It allows them to reallocate money designated for food and spend it on the bill. If you don’t have anything to help them, direct them to others who can help. There may come a time when you must lovingly stop providing aid to them because your aid is creating dependency.

When we follow Jesus, our lives should have arrows pointing towards him. Reading our Bibles and praying are small arrows. Many people of various religions read their scriptures and communicate with their deity. But loving people who take advantage of us points a huge, flashing, blinding arrow at God. So do praying for our enemies and forgiving those who have committed ignominious atrocities against us. May the arrows in your life clearly direct others toward God.