Matthew chapters five, six and seven are possibly three of the most well-known chapters in the bible. Jesus’ sermon on the mount. In this study, we’ll examine the beginning of the sermon, known as the beatitudes. These verses lay the foundation for the entire sermon and are the foundation of the Christian life.
Jesus has been traveling around Galilee teaching and healing. Matthew 4:25 says “large crowds followed Him…” from all over. In Matthew 5:1 Jesus begins preaching to his disciples and those in the crowd. The sermon he preaches has a clear theme: The gospel of the kingdom. The sermon on the mount can be broken up into three parts:
- Matthew 5:1-12- the citizens of the kingdom- their character and blessedness.
- Matthew 5:13-7:12- The righteousness of the kingdom- the high standard of life demanded by the King.
- Matthew 7:13-27- An invitation to enter the kingdom.
The Beatitudes
Jesus pronounces eight blessings in Matthew 5:3-12. These blessings are known as the beatitudes. Each verse includes a pronouncement of blessing, a description of WHOM the blessing applies (listed as the headings below) and a statement of HOW they are blessed.
The word ‘blessing’ literally means “happy, fortunate, blissful” and in the context of this passage as well as throughout the bible it describes a divine well-being.
VS. 3 – POOR IN SPIRIT
Matthew 5:3— Blessed are the poor in spirt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The worlds pursuit of happiness and blessing is typically wrapped up in money, pleasure, possessions, achievement, relationships and power. Jesus comes along and flips that message on its head.
The “poor in spirit” Jesus is referring to does not mean economically or socially poor. It also isn’t referring to someone who is downtrodden and sad. But rather, He is referring to someone who is convinced of their spiritual poverty.
The poor in spirit would be humble. They would consider themselves a spiritual beggar. The spiritually self-sufficient person is a proud person who doesn’t realize a need for righteousness before God, or who thinks of themselves as righteous before God. The humble, Jesus says, will be blessed and they will inherit the kingdom of heaven!
VS. 4 – THOSE WHO MOURN
Matthew 5:4- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
The second blessing is closely connected to the first. One who is poor in spirit will be heartbroken over their sinful condition. Our sin has created a terrible separation from our heavenly Father. Our sin has produced a world cursed with brokenness and sinfulness. Jesus says, those who mourn these realities will be comforted! Godly sorrow turns the soul towards God, God in turn grants comfort through forgiveness and salvation.
VS. 5- THE GENTLE (MEEK)
Matthew 5:5- Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Gentleness and meekness are synonyms, but meekness is more descriptive. A meek person is strong, yet under control for the good of another. Meekness is a quality of a humble person that realizes they have no merit before God in and of themselves. Therefore, they approach others as one forgiven. Jesus says in this verse that the gentle/meek are blessed and will inherit the earth!
Vs. 6- THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Matthew 5:6- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
As you read through these verses you can start to see how they all connect with one another. A humble person will mourn their spiritual condition which will convince them to be gentle and will cause them to hunger and thirst for righteousness. All these qualities are rooted firmly in humility.
Jesus says those who do this will find satisfaction! Is there anything more fleeting in our lives than satisfaction? Everything we hunger and thirst for in this world leaves us with only temporary satisfaction at best. We can have the best meal imaginable and yet we’ll still be hungry again in a few hours. The satisfaction being offered by the Lord is lasting and
eternal.
Vs. 7- THE MERCIFUL
Matthew 5:7- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
God showed great mercy to sinners in that he sent his Son to die on a cross in their place. Every day is God’s mercy to the sinner in which another opportunity is given to repent and turn to Him. Since we have been shown mercy, Jesus says we should therefore be merciful.
Mercy is love for those in misery and a forgiving spirit toward the sinner. It’s an active love that reaches out in kindness. The promise is that the merciful will be blessed and will receive mercy in return.
Vs. 8- THE PURE IN HEART
Matthew 5:8- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Pure in heart is referring to an integrity, honesty and sincerity. But it is possible to be honestly and sincerely wrong, so it must be accompanied by righteousness. Jesus is saying that as you pursue righteousness, it must be for the right reason. He’s challenging outward acts done with improper motives like the pharisees.
The promise is that the pure in heart will get to see God. This is a two-part promise. He’s referring to the future event of seeing the Lord face to face. But, those in tune with God’s will without hypocrisy will clearly see Him at work now as well.
Vs. 9- THE PEACEMAKERS
Matthew 5:9- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
sons of God.
Peacemakers are those who have received reconciliation with God, who then turn around and impart the same gift to others. They love God, love others including their enemies, and promote peace among men. This peace is not peace at any price of course, it wouldn’t mean compromising on issues that are clearly sin. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:18 so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Jesus’ promise is that peacemakers will be called sons of God! What higher honor can you receive!? When you are a peacemaker you are literally an agent of God’s work.
Vs. 10- THE PERSECUTED
Matthew 5:10- Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus pronounces blessing on those who are persecuted for sake of righteousness and promises them their place in the kingdom of heaven for the second time!
Jesus is challenging the current way of Jewish thinking. At that time, it was commonly viewed that any suffering including persecution was an indication of God’s displeasure. However, Jesus, speaking with authority, pronounces them blessed and promises that they will inherit the kingdom of heaven!
It is no accident that Jesus begins this sermon with the characteristics of what God’s children are to look like. Over the last two thousand years since Jesus stood and preached the sermon on the mount, nothing has changed. Jesus was challenging his audience to examine their own hearts, as He is through this section of his Word here today. Are the beatitudes evident in your life?