THE BEATITUDES - AN OVERVIEW

 

They are commonly referred to as part of the Sermon on the Mount and are recorded in Matthew 5:1-12. It is here where Jesus begins to lay down the ethical and moral values that should characterise all people who say that they follow Christ. In the greater sense they seem like paradoxes, meaning a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement that may prove to be true when investigated. But since this is Jesus speaking, these statements can only be profoundly true.

                                                                                                                   

Matthew writes (NIV):

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you

and falsely say all kinds of evil against you, because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven …”

Luke records some of these statements as follows in Luke 6:20-23 (NIV):

 “Looking at his disciples, he [Jesus] said:

“Blessed are you who are poor for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you men when hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and

 reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.””

Why is there a difference between the two gospels? Mark was the first person to write what he could recall, and so his gospel is a sort of collection of things remembered. Luke was most probably the second person to write a gospel and he wrote it +/- 60-70 AD. Matthew was the third person to write a gospel, which was in +/- 80 AD. Luke wrote his version to a particular group of people who seemed to be confused about what they should be believing in, and so as he writes his gospel, he brings about this most beautiful account of Jesus the Savior. Matthew, on the other hand, focused on providing a gospel message that either a group of Palestinians or Syrians would identify with, hoping to get these people to focus their time and energy on Jesus and His teachings and leave the other religions alone.

Jesus literally starts off with the word Blessed; in Greek, the word that is used is makariŏs [mak-ar-ee-os], implying one who is very happy, fortunate, and even well-off. So, imagine the scenario when Jesus tells His disciples something along the lines of, “I will count you as one who is happy when I see [these things …]  in your life,” and then He goes on to list the nine beatitudes, ending with: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” But we need to look at the end of that sentence, for Jesus continues to say: “… for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” This concept of happiness in persecution must be strange to those gathered around Him, for surely the world message is that you are blessed if you are healthy and wealthy and therefore can indulge in many luxuries that supposedly bring you happiness.

Peter, encouraging a scattered group of believers who are having their faith seriously tested, writes the following: “Though you have not seen him [Jesus], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8 NIV).

Encouraging them further: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:13 NIV).

Let us look at the greater context here. If you have all these character traits in your normal daily behaviour pattern, then as you are being challenged, in whatever that may be, you can rejoice in happiness. But Peter does not leave it there, for he summarises the end goal in one sentence: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:15 NIV).

And this, my friends, is the foundation of that process. It is knowing that our hope lies in the fact that Jesus will one day separate the sheep from the goats, and then He will lead the sheep into glory.

Now join with me as we explore the Beatitudes one by one and strive to make them character traits in our own lives.