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An in-depth analysis of the beatitudes in matthew 5, explaining the meaning of each blessing and its significance for believers. Learn about the importance of being poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness.
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Chapter 5 starts what we refer to as the “Sermon on the Mount”, and Jesus opens up His sermon with the Beatitudes. (v. 1-10) o What does Beatitude mean? The word Beatitude refers to someone or something that is “supremely blessed.” In what ways to do like to use the word blessed or blessing today? It is important to note the usage of the word blessed for each Beatitude before we begin. The usage of blessed referring is not centered around an earthly or physical gift, but instead in this instance blessed refers to being “right with God, or approved of by God.” Beatitude 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit. What does Jesus mean by this? Though we often use the word poor as a negative, this instance is actually different. The “poor in spirit” refers to the people that know they are lacking or not self-sufficient for their spiritual life. What group of people would NOT fall into this group during this time? The poor in spirit are promised the kingdom of heaven. Why do you think this is? Beatitude 2. Blessed are those who mourn. What would people mourn about that Jesus is referring to? We often mourn the loss of a loved one, loyal pet, job, etc., and we can find comfort in Christ during these things. However, the mourning here is referring to something different. Read Romans 3:23. Jesus doesn’t simply refer to our mourning of a sad moment, but instead our mourning of the fact that if left to our own devices we fall short of the standard of God. We don’t have to remain this way though. How does Christ offer us comfort from this? Read Romans 6:23. Beatitude 3. Blessed are the meek. What does meek mean here? Meek isn’t used to represent weak people in this instance, but instead refers to those who are humble. More specifically, people who are willing to humble themselves to the will of another person. To whom does Jesus want us to humble ourselves to? Those who are willing to humble or submit themselves to Christ are promised to inherit the Earth. What Earth is Jesus referencing here? This could have a two-fold meaning. Jesus could be referencing the new heaven and new earth that comes with his return, or he could be referencing the blessings he promises his people when they submit to his will (i.e. Israelites throughout the Old Testament). Beatitude 4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. What does it mean if a person doesn’t become hungry and thirsty after many days? Just as a person who doesn’t hunger or thirst physically is not alive, so also, a person who does not hunger and thirst for righteousness is spiritually dead. What does righteousness mean? If we hunger or chase after God, He promises to satisfy us. Why is He able to do this?
Beatitude 5. Blessed are the merciful. What does being merciful mean?
Mercy isn’t satisfied just as a sparing or act of forgiveness, but is forgiveness that comes without a cost. Give a modern day example of being merciful. Notice those that give mercy, receive mercy. How does this beatitude relate to the golden rule in the Bible? Beatitude 6. Blessed are the pure in heart. What does it mean to be pure in heart? Jesus is of course not referring to our physical hearts here, but to our minds. Is it possible for people to do acts that “look” pure but actually have poor intentions in the heart? Read Matthew 23:25-27. God knows where our hearts are at all the time, and unlike man He can’t be fooled by our hidden intentions. Our sin keeps us from seeing God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but we are given a way to be pure through Christ. Read 1 John 1:9. Beatitude 7. Blessed are the peacemakers. How easy or difficult is it to keep peace between people that are at odds with each other? Making peace is often a task that goes beyond the use of words, but requires actions. Read Romans 12:17-21. Those who make peace are the Sons of God. Children often times take on the characteristics of their parents. If we are the Sons of God, then what characteristics will we show? Beatitude 8. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness. As Christians, what are the odds that we will at some point be persecuted? Read 2 Timothy 3:12. Notice this scripture only mentions that those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness are blessed. What does that mean if we persecuted for a wrongdoing or sin? Once again Jesus mentions that the people with this characteristic will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Why would Jesus repeat this? Jesus ends the Beatitudes by doubling down on this final blessing. (11-12) o As mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:12, we are guaranteed to be persecuted if we choose to follow Christ. Read 1 Peter 4:12-14. The persecution that Jesus and his disciples experienced wasn’t just verbal. Here Jesus states we will face persecution that doesn’t only affect us mentally, but can impact us physically and socially as well. Whatever price we have to pay on Earth, it is no match for the glory that we shall receive in Heaven. Read Romans 8:18. What can we Learn? o As believers, we are not called to act as everyone else does, but instead to take actions that will set us apart. o If we are left to our own devices, we are sure to fall short of God’s standard, but he allows us to come to him and rewards us for following him. o Persecution is almost a guarantee as a believer, but the reward we will receive is greater than anything we will find or experience here on Earth.