The Beatitudes

5 AND SEEING THE MULTITUDES, HE WENT UP ON A

MOUNTAIN, AND WHEN HE WAS SEATED HIS DISCIPLES
CAME TO HIM. 2 THEN HE OPENED HIS MOUTH AND
TAUGHT THEM, SAYING:3 “BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN
SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.4
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY SHALL BE
COMFORTED.5 BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY SHALL
INHERIT THE EARTH.6 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO
HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY
SHALL BE FILLED.7 BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR
THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY.8 BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN
HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD.9 BLESSED ARE THE
PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF
GOD.10 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR
RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF
HEAVEN.11 “BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN THEY REVILE AND
PERSECUTE YOU, AND SAY ALL KINDS OF EVIL AGAINST
YOU FALSELY FOR MY SAKE. 12 REJOICE AND BE
EXCEEDINGLY GLAD, FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN
HEAVEN, FOR SO THEY PERSECUTED THE PROPHETS WHO
WERE BEFORE YOU.
So let’s take a moment and go through each of the eight
beatitudes separately.
#1 Blessed are the poor in spirit. vs. 3
The poor in spirit is not an endorsement of poverty. It is an
acknowledgment of our need for God in all aspects of life. It
means not have an independent or prideful spirit but instead to
have a demeanor that always looks upon God for our
providence. It is those that depend upon God that see the
manifestation of the kingdom of God in their life. Both here on
earth and eventually in heaven.
#2 Blessed are those that mourn. vs. 4
Jesus is talking about various types of mourning here. I am sure
that He is talking about those that mourn over the condition of
the world. I believe that He is talking about those that are
grieved about the people that are not in right relationship with
Him, and I think that He is talking about mourning the loss of
loved ones in our life. Jesus said that He would send the
comforter, the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit would be a
comfort to all of us.
#3 Blessed are the meek. vs. 5
I have heard many people misinterpret this scripture and try to
make it say that it means strength. The Bible clearly states that
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. The word
meekness means having strength under control. That control is
humility. Moses was known to be one of the meekest men in
the world, but that does not mean he did not have the strength
to accomplish what God called him to do. The meek understand
authority and willingly submit to it and live ultimately under
God’s authority. Jesus said that if we wanted to be great in His
kingdom, then we would be servant leaders. Servant leadership
is the definition of meekness.
#4 Blessed are those that hunger and
thirst for righteousness. vs. 6
The word righteousness means “right standing.” They are the
ones that want to see justice and reconciliation in the world.
They want to see people come to right standing with each
other and most importantly with God. Because they hunger and
thirst for this right standing, they are always concerned about
how their actions will affect their relationship with God and
with other people.
#5 Blessed are the merciful. vs. 7
People who are merciful have undoubtedly received mercy in
their lives. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus asks
the question as to whether or not the one who has received
mercy should have shown mercy on his fellow servant. Mercy
and forgiveness go hand in hand. Merciful people can
understand that “except for the grace of God go I.”
#6 Blessed are the pure in heart. vs. 8
The pure in heart are those that are unstained by the world.
They have allowed the blood of Jesus to wash away all their sin
and made pure once again. When you allow Jesus to purify your
heart, then you can see God in all his beauty, splendor, and
holiness. You will be like the Psalmist David when he wrote in
Psalm 51. Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right
spirit within me.
#7 Blessed are the peacemakers. vs.9
These are the ones who try to make peace. Both peace
between men and the God they are at odds with and between
brothers and sisters that are at odds with one another. They
are the followers of the Prince of Peace who reconciled men
with God. They take the ministry of reconciliation seriously.
They will be called the sons of God because they are acting and
following the example of Jesus.
#8 Blessed are the persecuted.
These are the people that consider it an honor to stand up for
Jesus and His teachings even in the face of the world’s scorn
and ridicule. They are the ones that will say “I believe in Jesus”
also when faced with death threats and beatings. In America,
we do not see persecution to this extreme very often, but there
are people in other countries that are dying daily for our
precious faith. However, even in America, we see persecution
when people call us bigots, stupid, or Jesus freaks just because
of our faith. Only be encouraged, Jesus pronounces a blessing
on you every time people mistreat you because of your faith in
Him.
As you can see, the eight beatitudes both encourage us and
challenge us to stretch in our faith. Just remember as you ask
God to make you more like Jesus, that you are also to keep in
mind that you need His grace to accomplish these teachings of
Jesus. He will work it out in you in His time and His way.