Matthew 5:3-12
Jesus was baptized, tempted by the devil, started choosing his disciples, began preaching and healing people. He became very popular in a short time; Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, (the Ten Cities) Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. (Matt.4:25) Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. …and he began to teach them saying: (Matt.5:1-2)
Blessed is the word Jesus uses at the beginning of each declaration. The word means; happy or fortunate. Description; Happy: enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment / Fortunate: 1: bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain 2: receiving some unexpected good.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The ‘poor in spirit’, people who feel as if they are just not good enough, spiritually. They agonize in their sins. They are constantly seeking to please God .
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. ‘Those who mourn’, are the people who anguish for the children of God. They are the ones that cry out to God, that his people will come to him and have an everlasting relationship with him.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth. Meekness toward God is a disposition of our spirit in which we accept His way of dealing with us as good, and therefore without going against his will for us.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Not hunger and thirst as in ‘I haven’t had anything to eat or drink for 3 days.’ But hunger and thirst as in ‘I haven’t had anything to eat or drink in 30 days. Not many people have that kind of pleasure of not eating or drinking. That’s the kind of hunger and thirst God wants you to have for a right relationship with him. Righteousness is; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting, a condition acceptable to God.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. The ‘merciful’ have the compassion of Christ. They show the love, the caring, the giving, and the helping to the poor; spiritually, mentally and physically.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. Could you imagine being ‘pure at heart’? This is the biblical description; free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt, blameless, innocent, unstained with the guilt of anything. Being ‘pure at heart’ is impossible to attain on your own. The bible says ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Rom.3:23) Another description given; purified by fire, in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit. This is where Jesus comes in cleansing us with his blood, through the fire of the Holy Spirit pruning us, so that we will bear the fruit of the ‘pure at heart’.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. ‘Peacemaker’ the word is basically self-explanatory. The word ‘peace’ is defined as; in a state of concord or tranquility. The word ‘concord’ is a state of agreement and ‘tranquility’ is free from agitation of mind or spirit. To put all of this together; ‘make’: to cause to exist, occur, or appear, i.e. a maker of peace, one who is pleasing to God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The word ‘persecuted’ is to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically: to cause to suffer because of belief. Righteousness is a condition acceptable to God. Jesus said “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.” (Jn.15:20-22)
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven… These final few words of the blessings of Jesus upon us, sum up ‘The Beatitudes’. The ‘Be Attitudes’ is the way of receiving your blessings for the attitudes you have towards life.
Chaplain D. Terry
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