Articles
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes as we often refer to them, are a group of blessings pronounced in the gospel of Matthew. The word “beatitudes” simply means supreme blessedness. As the Sermon on the Mount commenced in Matthew 5:3, Jesus spoke of these great blessings:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
These words were not spoken merely to make an already religious society feel better about themselves but rather, Jesus sought to solicit their attention to the aspects that made the Kingdom of Heaven different from their customary lifestyles. Jesus’ mission, besides redeeming sinful man, was to usher in a new rule. He sought to teach man how is it one could enter the Kingdom of God. These beatitudes serve as the foundation for a highly focused spiritual life. They are uniquely crafted in a manner that makes them relatively easy to remember yet powerful in its impact.
The beatitudes call on those would be God’s children, to mold themselves in an image not recognized by the world. That is, they are to be completely different from the norms and societal values taught by men and governments. One does not have to think too hard as to how these values differ from those that would have been around the people then and even among us now. Forgiving someone a debt isn’t necessarily gospel in our society today is it? Being pure in heart is a far cry from the junk that’s served up on our television sets, cell-phones and computers today. Perhaps all these things are more accessible today than it was 2,000 years ago, but it doesn’t change the fact that men seek to put an emphasis on satisfying the flesh rather than the spirit.
Jesus commended the multitudes to begin by being humble. In humility, we must recognize we are sinners and we must mourn over the errors we so often commit. We are to deal gently with our neighbors all while starving for the food which profits our souls: God’s word.Even when it can be difficult, we ought to show mercy to one another just as our Lord has shown us His great mercy. We ought to be pure and holy as He is holy and free from blemish. Even when we are persecuted and ridiculed, we are called to find a compromise and make peace with men for this finds favor with God. I admit, these are not the easiest things to practice but they are worth it. They may not find favor with men, but they are most favorable with God. If these things are yours then you will indeed be a supremely blessed individual. May these values stand out in our lives as disciples of our Lord.
