Another Note-The Beatitudes
Hello Sparrow Song family,
How are you? I hope you are well and enjoy the blessing of our Father and seeing His goodness in your life each and every day. Spring is here, and 2022 is rapidly moving!
If you are taking part in the monthly Embrace the Word scripture reading and writing plan, you know that we are focusing on The Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most well-known sermons of Jesus. The Sermon on Mount includes powerful teachings on love, morality, and living for God.
The Beatitudes are one of the most loved parts of the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes, Jesus taught about the kingdom of God and how we should live as citizens of that kingdom. The word beatitude is not found in our English Bible (except in headings), but it comes from a Latin word that means “the blessings.” The word blessed here means happy, fortunate, and content.” Jesus is saying when we have the Kingdom of Heaven on our minds, we will have great happiness and delight!
Many people like to say “be – attitudes” because these passages describe what our attitudes should “be.” This may seem odd or strange because it goes against our natural thinking. Our circumstances normally dictate our attitudes and emotions, but Jesus is teaching that in the kingdom of God, happiness and blessedness are not determined by external conditions but by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Beatitudes are important because they list the attitudes Christians should have. We are blessed when we learn to have these attitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
The poor in spirit understand that we are totally spiritually depraved. They recognize their need for God in this world. They also understand that Jesus is the only way of salvation. Without Him, we are lost. Jesus promised that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit. This promise is not just for the future when we get to heaven. We can have kingdom blessings right here on earth. Romans 14:17 tells us that “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Those who mourn are people who grieve because of sin and its effects on ourselves and the world. They grieve because sin breaks God’s heart and separates us from Him.
Jesus promised that those who mourn would be comforted. God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven–Jesus died for our sins. Knowing that we can be forgiven comforts our hearts because we know that we have the promise of eternal life with God.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
The meek are gentle, humble, and have self-control. Meek people are not weak but rather have placed their lives in God’s hands. They know and understand that He knows what’s best for them. They don’t feel they have to make their own way, but they trust God. Jesus promised that the meek would inherit the earth. Many people in the world fight and argue to have things their way. The meek understand that the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. They, therefore, trust God with everything, so God gives them everything they need.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness do all they can to live a life that honors God. They go after it. Jesus promised that when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will be filled. Jesus is the only one who can satisfy our hearts, minds, and souls.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
The merciful show mercy to others. Showing mercy pleases God because He showed us mercy when He sent Jesus. Even while we were still sinners, Christ demonstrated His love for us by dying for our sins (Romans 5:8). God showed us mercy when we did not deserve it. Therefore, we should be merciful to others even if they don’t deserve it.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
The pure in heart live with genuine integrity and godly character. God wants our hearts to be clean and pure. This does not mean that we will never sin, but we quickly ask the Lord to forgive us when we do. We cannot keep our hearts pure on our own. We need the Lord; we need His Word (Psalm 119:9). The pure in heart will see God. This is more than a future hope. It is also a present-day reality. When our hearts are pure and clean, our eyes will be opened to see more and more of God. We will notice Him everything. We will see His beauty in nature. We will see His love in others. We will see Him working in our life every day.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
Peacemakers are those who do things to make and keep peace. As we strive to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18), we must be willing to forgive and ask for forgiveness. We will have to walk away from arguments and talk through challenging conversations. This includes bringing the gospel of peace to others. Sharing our faith is also a part of being a peacemaker. We should want everyone to know the peace we have in Jesus.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-11
Those who are persecuted for righteousness sake are people who are mistreated for loving Jesus and for what is right. As Christians, we will sometimes have to suffer. The Bible encourages us to accept these challenges as good soldiers of Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3).Jesus promised those who are persecuted for righteousness that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Jesus also said that we should have great joy when people say bad things about us, hurt us, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about us because He has promised great rewards in heaven.
To help these words stay in your heart, click here to download the free printable.