The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1-12
Matt. 5:1-11
1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2. And 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 they that Mourn: for they shall be Comforted.
5. Blessed are the Meek: for they shall Inherit the Earth.
6. Blessed are they which do Hunger and Thirst after 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 the Children of God.
10. Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness' sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11. Blessed are ye, when men shall Revile you, and Persecute you, and shall say all manner of Evil against you Falsely, for my sake.
KJV
Commentary
Matthew 5:3-12
The word Beatitude is not found in your Bible. It simply means blessing and comes from the Latin word Blessed. There is a definite progression in theses verses. They show how the person begins with his or her own sense of sin, and finally becomes a child of God and the results that then follow. Note that these verses deal with attitudes - what we think in our heart, our outlook on life. Beatitudes - the attitudes that ought to be in our lives if we are true Christians.
"Poor in Spirit" (V.3)
We must be empty before we can be full. The opposite of this self-sufficiency. Our sufficiency is not of ourselves (2 Cor. 3:5) The world promotes self-sufficiency, yet God dwells with the person whose hart is broken (Isa. 57:15). This does not mean false humility or cowardice; it means a proper attitude towards self, realizing how weak and sinful we are apart from Christ. Compare the two men in Luke 18:9-14.
"Mourn" (V.4)
This is sincere sorrow for sin! our sin, and the sins of others. How careless we are about sin! We excuse it, yet god hates it, and sin breaks Gods heart. Beware of the sorrow of this world (2 Cor. 7:8-10). Peter mourned with Godly sorrow and was forgiven; Judas had remorse - the sorrow of this world - and he took his life.
"Meek" (V.5)
Meekness is not weakness! Jesus was meek (Matt. 11:29), yet he drove the changers from the temple. Moses was meek (Num.12:3), yet he judged sinners and even faced Aaron with his sin. Meekness means not asserting my own rights, but living for the glory of God. Christians are to show meekness (Eph. 4:1-2) (Titus 3:2). We are prone to be self-willed.
"Hunger And Thirst" (V.6)
A true Christian has an appetite for spiritual things. Ask people what they desire and you will know what they are like.
"Merciful" (V.7)
This is not legalism, but mearly the working of the Biblical principal of sowing and reaping. If we show mercy, because Christ has been merciful to us, then mercy will come back to us (See Luke 16:1-13; James 2:13; Prov. 11:17). We do not earn mercy, but we must have hearts prepared to receive it.
"Pure In Heart" (V.8)
Not sinlessness (1 John 1:8) but the truth within (Ps. 51:6). It means a single heart, not divided between God and the world.
"Peacemakers" (V.9)
Titus 3:3 describes this world at war, Christians have the Gospel of peace on their feet (Eph. 6:1-5), so that wherever they go, they bring peace, This is not "Peace at any price", for holiness is more important than peace based on sin (See James 3:7; Heb. 12:14). Compromise is not peace, but Christians should not be contentious as they contend for the faith.
"Persecuted" (V.10 - 11)
See 2 Tim 3:12 and Peter 4:15 Note that we should be accused "Falsely". We should never be guilty of deliberately asking for persecution. If we live Godly lives, suffering will come! Note the rewards: We are in the same company as Christ and the Prophets, and we shall be rewarded in Heaven.
"Rejoice" (V.12)
"Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in Heaven; for so they persecuted the Prophets who were before you" (KJV).
The world will go on persecuting those who trust, and live their lives for Christ. Men do not like to be reminded, or convicted of their sins, all those who bring the light of Christ into the world do just that. And until Christ returns to judge the world, persecutions will follow those who truly believe.
God Bless ... Samuel Owen. †