This article is adapted from a church sermon, I attended in Jul 2024. After that, I looked into these verses more, on what the beatitudes are.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:3
Jesus started His Sermon on the Mount, with the Beatitudes (v3-12).
The Beatitudes is like a spiritual ladder, of our spiritual growth, to be more like Jesus.
There are a total of 8 levels of spiritual development, which we might find ourselves currently in.
And these corresponds to each beatitude / blessing, which starts with: “Blessed are”.
We come to our first beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit (v3).
This refers to people who realise and recognise, their spiritual poverty.
That they have sinned against God, and only Jesus can save them.
It is a humble recognition that our spiritual condition is sinful and destitute, and we’re in need of God.
This is where all of us start, when we first came to salvation in Jesus: acknowledging our spiritual helplessness.
Please refer to John 1:1 article, for how Jesus died for our sins.
Moving on to the next beatitude: Blessed are they that mourn (v4).
The Old Testament reference verse providing the context of mourning is Isa 61:1-2, where the Israelites are mourning because of their sins which set them in the Babylon captivity.
On a broader scale, we look at how the world operates and their values, and we mourn for a grander vision of their liberation and salvation.
Please refer to Isa 41 article for Babylonian captivity, salvation to gentiles / nations.
Salvation to the world through Israel has been fulfilled through the coming of Jesus in New Testament, to die for our sins as discussed above.
And today, we should seek to point people who are lost to Christ.
Moving on to the third beatitude: Blessed are the meek (v5).
Meek means to be gentle like Jesus / Moses: that it is fine even if you don’t get what you deserve.
David was lamenting why God prosper the wicked (Psa 37:11).
Please refer to Psa 73 article, for Psalmist Asaph lamenting too on why the wicked prosper, and how they will be ultimately dealt with.
Moses (and Aaron) did not get to enter the promise land, despite all he has led Israel through, because of a foolish mistake (Num 20:7-13).
But in meekness, He accepted the Lord’s decision and verdict, and still continued obeying God (Num 20:22-27).
Jesus too was beaten and crucified not for any fault of his own, but ours (please refer to John 1:1 article).
We should hence trust God to fight on our behalf even against our enemies, and God will ultimately prosper us (Psa 23:5).
Moving on to the next beatitude: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness (v6).
In the Old Testament, Israel was hungering and desperate for feeding, as they were in the Babylonian exile (Isa 55:1, Isa 65:13).
Likewise we should be desperate for holiness, and setting ourselves apart from the world, for God is holy.
Righteousness should also be something we manifest publicly to the world.
Similar to how God clothes us with righteousness (2 Cor 5:21).
And how Job describing himself putting on the robe of righteousness (Job 29:14-16).
Our faith must be acquainted for justice, for the world to see God’s justice / righteousness (please refer to Jon 4:2 article).
We should hence be longing and advocating for justice for ourselves, and the world.
Moving on to the fifth beatitude: Blessed are the merciful (v7).
God is so merciful to Israel and us, and it even precedes judgement (Psa 18:25).
Please refer to John 1:1 article, where Jesus paid the price for our sins, as discussed above.
Wrong may be done to us, but let’s be merciful to those who wronged us.
Please refer to Jon 4:2 article, for God’s forgiveness and mercy towards Nineveh, and how we should do the same.
Moving on to our next beatitude: Blessed are the pure in heart (v8).
As described by the Psalmist, pure in heart are those with (Psa 24:3-5):
- Moral purity: Free from guilt / sin
- Sincerity: Without deceit, and hidden motives
- Undivided loyalty: Fully committed to God
Jesus is pleased with internal purity, not just external demonstrated purity.
Please refer to John 11:41-42 article, for how the Pharisees just put on a good show outside, but does not regard God’s laws seriously.
Moving on to the seventh beatitude: Blessed are the peacemakers (v9).
Now, peacemaking is not peacekeeping.
Sometimes peacemaking requires conflict, to achieve true peace.
Just like how Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, to restore order (Matt 21:12-13).
And the false prophets which Jeremiah said were crying / prophesying: “Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jer 6:14).
Hence, peacemaking is fighting for what God sees as important, as that would then achieve true peace.
Finally, we arrive at the last beatitude: a blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake.
In the New Testament, we see Timothy mentioning that everyone who wants to lead a godly live will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12).
Please refer to Trusting God in Turbulence article, which talks about how we can expect various trials / tribulations in the Christian life, including persecutions.
When we are persecuted, we are given the kingdom of heaven, as nothing on this earth will satisfy us (v12).
What will satisfy us obtaining Christ, and being with Him in heaven.
