Matthew 5 - The beatitudes - Part 1

THE

BEATITUDES

(PART 1)

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. [Matt 5:3-6]

The Beatitudes are a set of teachings by Jesus from his famous “Sermon on the Mount” as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12.

The term ‘beatitude’ comes from the Latin adjective ‘beatus’ which means happy, fortunate or blissful.

The Greek word used in the Beatitudes for ‘blessed’ is ‘makarios’ which means: supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off - blessed, happy.

James Tissot - The Beatitudes Sermon - Brooklyn Museum

This is the manifesto of the kingdom of God, but unlike a worldly kingdom, there are totally different values:

Together, the Beatitudes present a new set of Christian ideals that focus on love and humility rather than force and exaction; they echo the highest ideals of the teachings of Jesus on mercy, spirituality and compassion. 1

1 Wikipedia – Beatitudes "http:// en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Beatitudes">http:// en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Beatitudes

THE BEATITUDES

The teaching is expressed as eight blessings. Each Beatitude consists of two parts:

A condition: “BLESSED ARE…”

The outcome: “THEY WILL…” or “THEIRS IS…”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Matt 5:3]

Principally “poor in spirit” refers to those who realise that they are spiritually destitute and unable to reach God through their own effort.

It is to these people that the kingdom of heaven is promised, not to the self-righteous or arrogant.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

GOD’S WORD Translation renders Matt 5:3:

“Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”

And Barclay:

“O the bliss of those who have realized their own utter helplessness, and who have put their whole trust in God, for thus alone can they render to God that perfect obedience which will make them citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

In the physical financial realm, bankruptcy is a legal status of a person who cannot repay their debts owed to creditors.

Now the “poor in spirit” acknowledge that they are spiritually bankrupt or insolvent and hence incapable of paying their debt to God, which they have accumulated through a life of sin.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Matthew Henry says of this verse:

They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them.

We see this attitude in Peter who fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

People’s New Testament:

The poor in spirit. The humble, in contrast with the haughty; those sensible of spiritual destitution. The same state of mind is referred to when he speaks elsewhere of a contrite and broken spirit.

Paul demonstrates this attitude when he says:

1 Tim 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

A good example of being poor in spirit is the prodigal son in Luke 15. After squandering his inheritance and being reduced to poverty, he came to his senses and returned to his father. His words, “I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” are typical of a person who realizes that they are spiritually destitute before our heavenly Father.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Another example of being poor in spirit is demonstrated by the tax collector in Luke 18. While the Pharisee was confident of his own righteousness “the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” Jesus said that this tax collector “went home justified before God”.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

We may ask what the “kingdom of heaven” promised to “the poor in spirit” actually refers to? Is it God’s realm in heaven or is it on earth? Is it a promise for the future or the present?

We are instructed to pray for the ultimate arrival of the kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”.

Matt 6:10 “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

This implies that God’s will is currently not done on earth as it is in heaven and that his kingdom has not fully come on earth. This will only happen during the Millennium:

Rev 11:15 … “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

But in this current Age of Grace the kingdom of heaven is:

A KINGDOM NOT OF THIS WORLD

Jesus’ use of the word ‘now’ when speaking to Pilate indicates that this is a temporary situation.

John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world… But now my kingdom is from another place.”

Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world because his authority did not come from man but from God.

Luke 22:29 “And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me.”

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

A KINGDOM WITHIN YOU

Jesus had indicated to the Pharisees that before the earthly kingdom that the Jews were expecting would come (the Millennial kingdom), that there would be a kingdom (the Church Age) that would be “within you”.

Luke 17:20-21 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Who are the subjects or citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth?

The “kingdom of God” is the domain over which God is spiritually sovereign. The kingdom of God “within you” implies that God exercises sovereignty in your life.

While God is the creator of all, the phrase “the kingdom of God” refers to that realm which is willingly subject to Him.

A kingdom implies a king and our king is Jesus. If we are part of his kingdom we should obey the king.

Matt 7:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

THE KINGDOM SUBJECTS

So again, what is the “kingdom of heaven” promised to “the poor in spirit”?

Jesus said His kingdom was “not of this world” (John 18:36). So the “kingdom of heaven” promised to “the poor in spirit” IS NOT:

A reference to God’s realm in heaven.

Current control of the earth in this present age (as proposed by adherents of dominionism or “kingdom now” theology)

IT IS:

The present kingdom of God that is “within you” (Luke 17:21).

The future Millennial kingdom of Christ on earth.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matt 5:4]

This is not a general reference to all mourners, because some who despair receive no comfort. In the context the “poor in spirit” who realise their own spiritual helplessness, will ‘mourn’ at their own sinfulness:

People’s New Testament - Not all mourners, for there is a sorrow of this world that worketh death. Godly sorrow is meant, a mourning over sinfulness.

Barclay paraphrases Matt 5:4 as follows:

“O the bliss of those whose hearts are broken for the world’s suffering and for their own sin, for out of their sorrow they will find the joy of God.”

THOSE WHO MOURN

Job 5:11 The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

In the first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul differentiates between two kinds of sorrow; godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. The latter “brings death” and is a state of depression and hopelessness, which Christians should avoid.

2 Cor 7:10b … but worldly sorrow brings death.

In contrast we read of godly sorrow:

2 Cor 7:10a Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…

This godly sorrow over our sinful state is what Jesus is referring to when he says “Blessed are those who mourn”.

GODLY vs WORLDLY SORROW

Paul’s rebuke in 1 Corinthians to the church at Corinth led to godly sorrow. Paul shows that this type of sorrow, although hurtful initially, is actually good for us:

2 Cor 7:8-11 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it - I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while - yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us… See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.

GODLY vs WORLDLY SORROW

A good example of the difference between godly and worldly sorrow are the cases of Peter and Judas.

Judas betrayed the Lord and was sorrowful.

Matt 27:3-4 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

GODLY vs WORLDLY SORROW

His remorse led to his suicide.

Matt 27:5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Judas’ story is a case of WORDLY SORROW.

GODLY vs WORLDLY SORROW

In contrast Peter denied the Lord, and was sorrowful.

Matt 26:75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

GODLY vs WORLDLY SORROW

But Peter repented and was restored by Jesus.

John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Now that is GODLY SORROW to which the promise “they will be comforted” applies.

GODLY vs WORLDLY SORROW

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. [Matt 5:5]

NASB

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Amplified Bible

Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous- with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!

THE MEEK

Meek means humbly patient and docile under provocation from others, submissive, compliant, tame, quiet, mild, gentle, kind.

Matthew Henry: The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else.

THE MEEK

Meekness is not weakness.

The Greek word for meek, praus, was used to refer to domesticated animals. The word does not refer to a wild, unruly animal; it refers to a strong and powerful horse or an ox that was trained and disciplined so that it could be controlled by a human. The word meek used in Matthew 5:5 refers to a strong person who is under control - a God controlled person. A meek person is a man or woman of God whose strength is controlled by God. He or she is controlled by God in thought, word, will, emotion, and action. The meek man is one who submits, not to his own will or to the will of the world, but to the great and gracious will of God. 1

1 SOURCE: "http:// robertwells.tripod.com/ Beatitudes.html">http:// robertwells.tripod.com/ Beatitudes.html

THE MEEK

Jesus is our ultimate example of meekness. While being all powerful he restrained himself, when threatened.

Matt 26:50-53 …Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 

 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”

The meek will be vindicated by God:

Numbers 12:1–4 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. (ESV)

In the face of opposition from his brother and sister, Moses remains meek. Subsequently we see how he was vindicated by God. So meekness implies committing your cause to God and not trying to defend yourself.

THE MEEK

G. K. Chesterton said the following about our modern view of meekness and humility:

A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed. Nowadays the part of a man that a man does assert is exactly the part he ought not to assert - himself. The part he doubts is exactly the part he ought not to doubt - the Divine Reason… 1

1 Orthodoxy (1908)

INHERIT THE EARTH

People who are meek have the following attributes:

They are not haughty or proud.

They are teachable and don’t think they’ve “arrived”.

They patiently believe in the ultimate triumph of good and the kingdom of God over the present evil.

They do not seek revenge.

INHERIT THE EARTH

They are not defensive but entrust their cause to God and allow Him to vindicate them.

Matt 26:62-63 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent.

They shall inherit the earth. Jesus seems to be alluding to Psalm 37 where the inheritance that the meek receive is literal land.

Psalm 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Now in our present age the meek do not necessarily “inherit the earth” in a literal sense. Often the ruthless and aggressive inherit the earth:

In our modern aggressive, self-centred culture, where assertiveness, self-confidence and self-esteem are prized virtues, meekness is not a virtue that most people would consider valuable or even desirable. But the values of the kingdom of God are different to those of this world.

INHERIT THE EARTH

So this promise of inheriting the earth is a reference not to our current world, but to our future Millennial rule:

Matt 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”

Rev 5:9 “… with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

INHERIT THE EARTH

The meek need to patiently wait for the fulfilment of this promise and not be disillusioned by the seeming prosperity of the wicked. This is illustrated in Psalm 37:

Psalm 37:1-11 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away… Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

INHERIT THE EARTH

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. [Matt 5:6]

Hunger and thirst obsess you until they are satisfied.

Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

In the natural, hunger and thirst are appetites that keep returning and require that they be met repeatedly. Just as our earthly body calls for its daily food, likewise we should hunger and thirst for righteousness.

John 4:31-34 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

To help us understand this beatitude we first have to ask ourselves, what is meant by righteousness? And righteousness means being in complete accordance with what is just, honorable, and Godly. Righteousness are those things that are upright, virtuous, noble, morally right, and ethical. 1

The Amplified Bible renders the passage as follows:

Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favour and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!

1 SOURCE: "http:// robertwells.tripod.com/ Beatitudes.html">http:// robertwells.tripod.com/ Beatitudes.html

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Hunger is a desire that seeks satisfaction. Hunger stems from a sense of lack. Those who spiritually hunger, have a strong sense of their own lack of righteousness.

Hunger and thirst are words that most of us in the West simply do not understand. The person who is really hungry (as opposed to having hunger pangs) or the person who is really thirsty (as opposed to feeling like a drink) is so desperate that everything else is excluded from their desires… When we are truly desperate, satisfying that hunger or thirst becomes a consuming passion, a grand desire and an overwhelming ambition. 1

1 " orderofsaintpatrick.org/ teachings/ beatitudes%20wk%204.htm"> orderofsaintpatrick.org/ teachings/ beatitudes%20wk%204.htm

RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Beatitudes listed by Jesus indicate a progression in our spiritual development.

We first need to realize our spiritual poverty, utter destitution and bankruptcy before God. (Blessed are the poor in spirit)

This realization produces a mourning over your spiritual condition and repentance. (Blessed are those who mourn)

This condition of mourning over your spiritual condition produces a meekness and lack of spiritual arrogance. (Blessed are the meek)

Subsequently we will hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness)

RIGHTEOUSNESS

They will be filled

Barclay renders Matt 5:6 as follows:

O the bliss of those who long for total righteousness as the starving long for food, and those perishing of thirst long for water, for they will be truly satisfied

Men naturally desire happiness (but not necessarily “holiness”!): but they know not in what it is to be found. The philosophers of old wearied themselves in vain to find out what was man’s chief good. But our blessed Lord has informed us wherein it consists: it is found in holiness alone; which, when embodied, as it were, and exercised in all its branches, renders us completely blessed. 1

1 " preceptaustin.org/ matthew_56.htm"> preceptaustin.org/ matthew_56.htm

THEY WILL BE FILLED

The promise to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness is that “they will be filled”. Their hunger and thirst will be satisfied; they will experience the righteousness they crave.

Psalm 107:9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

Psalm 63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

THEY WILL BE FILLED

THEY WILL BE FILLED

THEY WILL BE FILLED

THEY WILL BE FILLED

John 6:27a Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

John 6:32-35 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

THEY WILL BE FILLED

Huston Smith observed that we can never get enough of what we really do not want. E.g. People don’t really want drugs, they want what they hope drugs will bring them - escape from pain, happiness and satisfaction.

But we were created for God and nothing short of his presence will satisfy us.

Isaiah 55:1-2 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

CONCLUSION

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB:

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