The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12 NKJV

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The poor in spirit have no holiness or goodness within them that will make them acceptable before a holy God. It is only the righteousness of Jesus Christ that covers me and makes me holy and acceptable before God.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
I mourn and am sorrowful not only for the individual sins that I have committed but also for my fallen and sinful nature. But I pray this be a godly sorrow, a sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). Mourning is never meant for self-pity but true mourning will bring comfort (2 Cor. 1:4). We will also know something very special of God – the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil. 3:10)

Blessed are the meek (the humble) for they shall inherit the earth.
When we talk of meekness and humility here, we do not mean someone who is passive or timid but rather one with strength, strength under control. One who willingly accepts God’s control over their lives rather than them stubbornly taking control. They have the willingness to submit to the proper authority of this world and to forego one’s “rights” and privileges because they are confident that God watches out for them and will not only take care of them but that He will also provide for them. They are meek and humble and gentle before men but at the same time they are strong.     

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
This is not the kind of hunger that can easily be satisfied by eating but rather this is a longing, a pining after something that cannot be so easily obtained. This is a longing to live more righteously, to continue to be clothe in God’s righteousness and to see more righteousness in this fallen world. Those who truly seek this will find satisfaction in whatever they may be doing or whatever circumstances they find themselves in.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Everyone of us ought to show mercy and be merciful to our fellow man especially to other believers in Christ because God has been merciful to us. Were it not for His mercy, where would we be?

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
This is not just a clean heart but one that is free from corrupt desires, sins and guilt; a blameless and innocent heart, untainted by anything guilty (Strong'sG2513 – katharos). This is about having a pure heart, not pure actions or deeds or works or speech. The pure in heart will receive the ultimate reward – intimacy with, and closeness to God, not only in the life to come but in this life as well – through the grace, mercy and power of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
This is not simply of being contend with living in peace with oneself and others but also bringing peace by overcoming evil with good. And what is the primary way of doing this? By sharing the good news of Jesus (the ministry of reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5:18). To be peacemakers we must be, first of all, pure in heart. And what is His reward for us? A blessing and a recognition by God Himself that we are His children.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This is the temporal end result (in this life) for those who truly practice and live by the teachings of the beatitudes. They face this not for something of their own making (1 Pet. 4:15-16) but rather for the sake of righteousness and for the sake of Jesus. But we ought to rejoice greatly in these persecutions because of the rewards God has promise in heaven. Our present persecutions, if any, may not be much in comparison to others but if no one speaks evil of you are these beatitudes the truths of your life?