The Beatitudes
We’re now diving into a new sermon series for the first week of July, which is all about the Sermon on the Mount. We will be taking a closer look into the Beatitudes and understanding the purpose, the vision as well as how to live it out. The Beatitudes is found in Matthew 5:1-12.
The Purpose of the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are not a list of entry requirements for us to achieve to get into heaven. They are rather qualities that give us insight into the true character of God’s people who are a part of His Kingdom. Throughout the Beatitudes, blessed is the buzzword. We can sometimes mistake being blessed as happiness but happiness can only take you so far. It’s understanding that being blessed is about being fully satisfied in God through all situations in life which result in inner peace and joy. The overall purpose of the Beatitudes is that it gives us a vision of what our lives could look like, as we trust and follow King Jesus and walk in His Kingdom.
The Vision of the Beatitudes
To understand the vision of the Beatitudes, let’s breakdown the declarations from verses 1 to 11 and what it reveals about the character of God’s true people:
-Blessed are the poor in spirit. This essentially means that we realise that we are in great need of God. We are aware that we are unworthy before God. Until we become poor in spirit we will never receive God’s grace which in hand also means a part of His Kingdom.
-Blessed are those who mourn. This means that you have compassion for those who are hurt and suffering. It’s reflecting the character of Jesus who felt the pain in his gut when he saw those that were suffering.
-Blessed are the meek. To be meek does not mean that we are weak, rather it’s about sacrificing and sharing on the behalf of others. It’s enduring through without any complaints. To be like Christ, who calls us to come to him and find rest (Matthew 11:29).
-Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. These are the people who fight for what’s right. They have the passion and drive to see justice and righteousness in their world.
-Blessed are the merciful. God’s mercy is what allows us to be merciful to those around us. It’s knowing that we have full trust and dependence in the grace and mercy that God has shown to us which means in turn we show that mercy to those around us.
-Blessed are the pure in heart. This essentially means to be driven by the love of God and love for others. As believers, we continually learn to live in the light by following God’s word which will change our hearts to be pure like Christ.
-Blessed are the peacemakers. Peacemakers are driven by bringing reconciliation and understanding that promoting the Gospel highlights the peace that God has shown to his people and the world.
-Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. Just as Jesus was persecuted, we should be honoured to be treated in this way also. It’s a calling to be living for Christ in this world but knowing that home is in heaven.
All of these insights are a result of what it looks like when we follow Christ.
Living the Beatitudes
The purpose and vision of the Beatitudes allow us to see what a true follower of Christ looks like but there is greater importance in wanting to see that happen within our own lives. The Beatitudes should not inspire us to check these off like a list but rather it promotes that we are changing ourselves from the inside out (Matthew 23:26). When we find true satisfaction in God, all these things listed in the Beatitudes are a result of this. It’s knowing that we only obtain these characters and qualities through Christ as there is nothing that we can offer in the first place (Romans 3:9-20). To live out the Beatitudes is to come to God with empty hands so that we can be filled with His Spirit. We must focus on Christ and place our total dependence on God, only then are we able to see the Beatitudes in our own lives.
Father God,
Thank you for the mercy and grace that you have shown to us so that we can be reconciled back to you. Thank you for making a place for us in your Kingdom even though we have done nothing to earn it. I pray that we can understand what it means to be your people and that we place our full trust and dependence in you.
Amen.