The Beatitudes: part one, Matthew 5:2-12

The Beatitudes

“This is what he taught them:

“God blesses those who realise their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice,
for they will receive it in full.
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heavens is theirs.
God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.” (Matt 5:2-12)

When we say we want to be more Christ-like what are we saying? That we want to be really nice? To have lots of followers? To try and be generally nice and loving?

Jesus was love. We know this. But what qualities of man were similar to Jesus? What qualities in us would be rewarded or should be cultivated? Well the Beatitudes is quite a nice conclusive list should we look at it in that way.

5:3 is translated both as “God blesses those who realise their need for Him” and “the poor in spirit”. We can’t be self sufficient. As limited beings to think we can sort everything out is seriously overestimating our capabilities. But those who realise they need Him are “given the Kingdom of Heaven”! God says “you can’t do everything for yourself but you understand you need me? Well about time. I’ve got this”. Feeling that you are not in control can be quite a hard pill to swallow. God lifts the chin of the “poor in sprit” and with His loving nature and His goodness, promises them eternal life. I’m quite clearly not saying make yourself depressed, but embrace that dependence on God whatever place you’re at, and if you are in a dark place, look up, God’s got you.

God is a God of comfort, throughout the Bible we hear references of Him as a “shield” (ps 3:3), “shelter for the oppressed” (ps 9:9). God wants to comfort you, when you lose someone close to you you “will be comforted”, when you realise how prone to sin you are God will wrap His arms around you, when you consider that some of your friends may not nor ever know the message of salvation God takes your heaviness (Matt 5:4). If you’re mourning the loss of a friendship or the life you used to live, the Lord wants to comfort you, to protect you and be your shelter. “I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for The Lord was watching over me” (Ps 3:4-5).

The entire earth is promised to the “gentle and lowly” (5:5). In people we interact with, humility and gentleness can be some of the most attractive qualities. They make us want to know that person better, put as at ease. There is no place for pride in Christianity, how can we prideful or boastful of things when everything we have received has been permitted or given to us from God?

This is a long verse and I want to deal with things fully, so I’ll tackle the second half tomorrow.

God bless x

Lord god it is by us and not you that we experience dysfunctional relationships in our life. That by our own shortcomings we experience the pain of dejection, frustration and oftentimes disbelief at the behaviour of others. But your love and your ways are perfect God. You made us in your image but oftentimes we fall so short of that. We pray Lord that you open the eyes, ears and hearts of the world that they may focus more on loving Your creation than themselves, than by falling into old habits that can come across as hurtful or thoughtless. By prayer in the name of your son and our advocate Jesus Christ we can bring these products of human frailty to you and by your goodness, love and mercy you can free us of such things. Through you all things are possible. Through you prostitutes, corrupt officials, thiefs are all brought to everlasting life. You are mighty Lord. You transform our lives and hear our prayers. Lord God at the same time help us to not expect too much from people. Not in every relationship will it feel balanced, because people will be at varying places in their life. Help us Lord to be content with loving your creation. Help us not to look at others changing their behaviour so much as what we can do in ourselves, how we can better the life experiences of others. Lord God you grant us new mercies every day, let us go about our daily life extending those to the people we come to interact with. Our weaknesses are powerful because through them your works can be shown, through them the hearts of those in darkness and peril can be changed, they can be brought to light. Let us not shy away from these amazing opportunities but live as truly loving children of god willing to do all he wants to please him and hear his name on the lips of those across the nations.

In the name of your son Jesus Christ, amen