He spoke to His audience as if these collective traits were not only attainable but theirs for the taking. The unregenerate listeners were mesmerized. They instinctively believed in the promises He preached and longed for them. But how could they possibly live this countercultural lifestyle and become these perfect people Jesus described?
To do so their righteousness would have to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees Matthew Jesus had just begun His ministry. After numerous healings, demon extractions, miracles, and teachings, the Son of Man had gained an enormous following. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went to a nearby mountainside and prayed all day and night. When morning came, He called his disciples to him and designated twelve of them as apostles Luke Jesus began His teaching with eight statements of correlating blessing, instruction, and promise, which have come to be known as the beatitudes.
For centuries the Jewish people had relied on their own spiritual integrity to fulfill the laws of Moses. The problem is after sin entered the world that feat became impossible. The laws were given by God through Moses to bring mankind to the understanding that humans possess no inherent goodness of their own, and they have no ability to draw close to a Holy God apart from perfection Romans 7. Jesus gives His listeners the keys to the Kingdom with this first statement, by prescribing the only means by which the spirit of man can be revived.
They must be broken and contrite over the realization that they possess absolutely nothing to commend themselves to the Father and have no right to His Kingdom. They had suffered great tragedy and hardships as a people, and as individuals. They knew what it meant to mourn and even practiced ceremonial mourning. But when Jesus spoke these words that day, no doubt the power of the Holy Spirit touched each listener in that hollow place of the heart where ultimate mourning exists.
Separation from God because of sin causes mourning in our soul that is too deep for words. That separation causes such emptiness and pain, that those who experience it will often attempt to self-medicate through distraction, vain pursuits of pleasure, or even drugs. But only when we acknowledge and embrace the mournful state of our sinful hearts, can we find the comfort of our Redeemer.
Our Godly sorrow leads us to repentance 2 Corinthians Jesus spoke these words to a group who would have found this statement perplexing. Theirs was a world where Caesars ruled by force and armies killed to claim land. In a culture where rights are everything and pride is a virtue, the brand of meekness seems like an insult that suggests weakness.
But the meekness Jesus spoke of—and lived out—was far from weak. Through His meekness, He literally saved the world Philippians My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
But Jesus knew that the only thing that would truly satisfy their souls, and ours, is the righteousness of God. He came to earth as the bread that gives life to the world, and those who partake in His living water never thirst again. But Jesus prescribed a new way of dealing with people.
To be pure in heart is to have a single-minded devotion to seek God and yield to His ways. Because no one can boast of a sin-free heart, God sent His Son to redeem us. When we cling to Him, He purifies our hearts and makes us whole.
The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom , means much more than just absence from strife. It means completeness or wholeness. While rare in the U. We have the responsibility to support our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer persecution Hebrews You can count on this. It is not a matter of if; it is a matter of when and how much. But they all pointed to the One who could change that. Jesus was offering the seekers in the audience a glimpse of the power His Spirit could work through them.
The Kingdom of Heaven was within their grasp. Jesus showed them what it looked like so they would hunger for the freedom His salvation would bring. Plus Toggle navigation. Password Assistance. Email address. Beatitudes - Bible Verses and Meaning. Contributing Writer. Annette Griffin. Bible Articles Videos Audio. The 8 Beatitudes and Their Meaning 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven The poor in spirit are those who feel a deep sense of spiritual destitution and comprehend their nothingness before God.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth The humble would receive far greater than the arrogant and prideful.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 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 they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
What Is the Meaning of the Beatitudes? What Are the Beatitudes? Why Did Jesus Preach on These? It means Supremely blessed by extension, fortunate, well off, happy.
This highest good is when a believer is focused on the will and purposes of God rather than their own i. Matthew 6 v 33; but first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. This brief study has opened my eyes a little bit more to the richness of these beautiful words of Jesus. A company limited by guarantee and registered in England and a registered charity.
DY8 4BS. T: E: office amblecotechristiancentre. What does the word Beatitude mean? After studying these words in the context which Jesus is speaking, I came up with this translation; Supremely happy with a concrete assurance that the poor in spirit are chosen to achieve the greater good, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. This translation can be used for all the verses in Matthew 5 vs 3 — 12 I would now like to use this brief study to explain how I managed to translate the above scripture.
Matthew's first beatitude with its "the poor in spirit" is the best known and perhaps the most difficult to interpret. With the omission of "in spirit" b , Luke points to the economically poor, a recognized theme in his Gospel. He includes the personal "yours" in promising them "the kingdom of God, " his substitute for Matthew's "kingdom of heaven. The tension between Matthew's spiritual poor and Luke's economic poor should not be overdrawn, since the latter uses those who are financially deprived as examples of those who depend on God, a common theme of all the beatitudes.
Matthew's remaining eight beatitudes expand on the first. The mourners will experience God's comfort v. The meek demonstrate a Christ-like attitude that demands nothing for itself. Thus the meek with Jesus shall inherit the earth v. Those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness" v.
The mercy Christians show to others v. In the fifth petition of the Lord's Prayer Christians pray that God will forgive them, just as they forgive others Matt Seeing God is reserved to Christ John , but now the pure in heart will see God with him v. The Gospels reserve the phrase "Son of God" to Jesus alone, but the peacemakers show themselves to be reconciled to God, and all people are now entitled to a like honor in being called the sons of God v.
The eighth beatitude follows the first with its promise of the kingdom of heaven, Christ's pledge that they will participate in his suffering and glory. Here the "poor in spirit" are defined as "persecuted because of righteousness" v. The ninth and final beatitude v. The Beatitudes are christological because he spoke them and they reach their perfection in him. In his perfection they are descriptive of the church's promised holiness.
The recognition of Mary's blessedness by succeeding generations rests in the Lord's selection of her as his mother and not in the morally superior accomplishment of her will. Peter is blessed because God has revealed to him that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, a faith unobtainable through his own effort.
Thus he becomes a prototype of all believers in Christ. The beatitudes of the Book of Revelation concentrate on the victory promised Christians dying in the faith. Their condition is certain: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them" Their blessedness is seen that in death God gives them rest. See also Jesus Christ ; Sermon on the Mount.
Batdorf, Interpreting the Beatitudes ; D.
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