I mentioned in another post that I am reading the New Testament with John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes as a devotional exercise (and also out of curiosity to see what they actually say, since they are listed as part of our doctrinal standards). There have been some surprises so far, but the main thing I want to mention in the context of this post is a striking comment Wesley makes at the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:1-2 the translation Wesley uses reads, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he was sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them…” Here is Wesley comment on the phrase “and taught them”:
To bless men, to make men happy, was the great business for which our Lord came into the world. And accordingly He here pronounces eight blessings together, annexing them to so many steps in Christianity. Knowing that happiness is our common aim, and that an innate instinct continually urges us to the pursuit of it, He in the kindest manner applies to that instinct, and directs it to its proper object.
Though all men desire, yet few attain, happiness, because they seek it where it is not to be found. Our Lord therefore begins His divine institution, which is the complete art of happiness, by laying down, before all that have ears to hear, the true, and only true, method of acquiring it.
Observe the benevolent condescension of our Lord. He seems, as it were, to lay aside His supreme authority as our Legislator, that He may the better act the part of our friend and Saviour. Instead of using the lofty style, in positive commands, He, in a more gentle and engaging way, insinuates His will and our duty, by pronouncing those happy who comply with it.”
There is so much here that could prompt a discussion, but I want to focus on what first caught my attention. Wesley seems to be articulating a framework or a lens through which to read the Sermon on the Mount. He seems to be arguing that Jesus gives the Beatitudes in order to map out for us the way to happiness. I think this is very interesting, because this is so relevant to today. Many people are seeking happiness. Yet, on the other hand, few people, it seems to me, view the Sermon on the Mount as good news in their search for happiness. Wesley invites us to read the words of Christ in Scripture as a model and a guide to finding happiness. What is your reaction to this? When you read or hear the Sermon on the Mount, is your reaction that this is good news that leads us to happiness, or is it a reaction of feeling guilty because it points to so much that you fail to do or don’t even want to do?
Wesley writes, “Though all men desire, yet few attain, happiness, because they seek it where it is not to be found.” Where are you looking for happiness? Are you finding it there?
Kevin M. Watson 
Hi,
I’ve seen this in Wesley too, although, he connects happiness to holiness. In his sermon on the New Birth (Sermon 45) he write:
For the same reason, except he be born again, none can be happy even in this world. For it is not possible, in the nature of things, that a man should be happy who is not holy. Even the poor, ungodly poet could tell us, Nemo malus felix: “no wicked man is happy.” The reason is plain: All unholy tempers are uneasy tempers: Not only malice, hatred, envy jealousy, revenge, create a present hell in the breast; but even the softer passions, if not kept within due bounds, give a thousand times more pain than pleasure. Even “hope,” when “deferred,” (and how often must this be the case!) “maketh the heart sick;” and every desire which is not according to the will of God is liable to “pierce” us “through with many sorrows:” And all those general sources of sin — pride, self-will, and idolatry — are, in the same proportion as they prevail, general sources of misery. Therefore, as long as these reign in any soul, happiness has no place there. But they must reign till the bent of our nature is changed, that is, till we are born again; consequently, the new birth is absolutely necessary in order to happiness in this world, as well as in the world to come. – John Wesley
I’ve come to believe that Wesley is right! I blogged a bit about it at http://www.davidmullens.com/2008/02/22/revisiting-holiness-part-2 so I have a little bit more there. I think this is something that should be brought up more since Americans are so set on the ‘pursuit’ of happiness. To bad we are pursing it in the wrong places!
Indeed the sermon on the mount is ofcourse good news! One reading which we learned is that it is good news to the poor and disenfranchised, etc. What is interesting in John Wesley’s reading is how there seems to be no distinction and indication of the two categories (poor and rich). All are considered unhappy or poor (in spirit) if we take the Matthean reading. In this regard, John Wesley is right on the mark. John Wesley may use the word “happiness” but the meaning I find is the same. What I find challenging is that what John Wesley and the Sermon on the mount advocate is very counter-cultural. This is what makes the gospel incomprehensible and the life advocated undesirable for many. This is the reason why people insist of finding their own way, rather than finding the Way of Jesus Christ. Personally, I would also adjust the word “happiness” to “joy”. In this world, everyone wants happiness, but happiness is elusive and often overrated. What is deep and real and eternal is joy – the joy of the Lord which after all is our strength. Whether it is in good times or in sorrow – the joy of the Lord can be found because God is ever waiting to restore us to the joy of His salvation.
My two cents worth 🙂 Grace and peace to you!
“That your joy may be made complete”,
we are His children.
Abba father thank you for loving us