What did Jesus say when he sat down on the mount? Matthew 5
Last year, right about this time, I went through this intense, beautiful passage that Jesus spoke to his followers, as they sat and listened to one so different from any rabbi or holy man they had ever heard. Together, we unpacked each beatitude in detail, looking at unfamiliar language, so as to understand and apply the beautiful words of Jesus and apprehend them for our lives and character.
Having grown up in the Bible since a wee girl, I memorized the Beatitudes at a young age-six, I think-but never understood such idioms as 'poor in spirit' until really studying them last year. While I do not wish to repeat the entire study, we do have many new readers on the journey with us, and frankly, we would do well to begin each new year with a study of these eight virtues Jesus esteemed.
Matthew 5:3-10 ~ perhaps you could read each aloud
~"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
~"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
~"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
~"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
~"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
~"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
~"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
~"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Blessed are the poor in spirit ~ Blessed are those who recognize they are without hope apart from a relationship with God. It is the knowledge of how far short we fall of the holiness of God that drives us to him for mercy. We oft compare our 'goodness' or righteousness to that of other people, and think we stack up pretty good, right? We are to compare ourselves to an all-righteous, all-holy God. Suddenly, things become quite clear. And once calling on his name for his merciful love and forgiveness of sins, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
How do you know if you are poor in spirit, and have the kingdom of heaven? You do not put trust in your own self-righteousness, or compare your good works or character to those of other people, but only God, and then in humility, accept his mercy.
A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.1
A "beatitude is a possession of all things held to be good, from which nothing is absent that a good desire may want. Perhaps the meaning of beatitude may become clearer to us if it is compared with its opposite. Now the opposite of beatitude is misery. Misery means being afflicted unwillingly with painful sufferings."2 Well said.
Blessed are those who mourn ~ Jesus knew that in this life, his children would mourn. Jesus knew we would know profound loss and brokenness ... and promises comfort.
The loss of a child - the deepest hurt I can imagine - Jesus knows. He promises, I will comfort you. A broken marriage, loneliness, catastrophic illness, absentee father, indifferent mother . . . God alone has the ability to heal our grief, tenderly mend our wounds, and bring comfort to our souls. The psalmist knew that of his God - "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."3 And one day, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
We have a good, good Father. Jesus' life is proof of that-Jesus' words inform us of the Father's heart toward us in the Beatitudes.
1 - Proverbs 29.23
2 - St. Gregory of Nyssa, a mystic who lived in Cappadocia in Asia Minor around 380 AD.
3 - Psalm 56.8
4 - Revelation 21.4
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