Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

I feel like the first thing we need to address regarding the sermon on the mount is, what’s the main idea of Jesus’ sermon?  Well, it all has to do with The Kingdom of God.  In order to understand Jesus’ teaching on these various subjects, you really need to know about The Kingdom.  As a reminder, The Kingdom of God is where God is King, it’s his rule established in the world.  Jesus came to roll back the rule of Satan, the curse of sin, and to bring in the rule and blessing of God.  Now, the Sermon on the Mount in particular is a message about how citizens of God’s kingdom should live in the world, it’s about what their thoughts and motivations ought to be.  Also, how they are to love God and love others, obeying the greatest commandment?  As such, these are not things you must do in order to be a part of God’s kingdom, but rather, these are things people in God’s kingdom do.  So, I hope you notice the difference?  We’ll revisit that.  But let’s go ahead and jump in:    

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  
-Matthew 5:1-12 ESV
 
So, Jesus begins his teaching with these eight statements that begin with the word “Blessed.”  And “Blessed” here means fortunate or happy.  I have to point out that the statements are bookended with, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  So, these are attributes of those who seek God’s kingdom and rule to come in the world and desire most for his glory to fill the earth.  So, this body of moral teaching has as its primary subject, God’s kingdom, and the attributes of those who are part of that kingdom.  Don’t lose that! 

One by one, let’s talk through each statement:
 
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Those who are looking for God’s kingdom to come realize that they have a deep spiritual need.  They understand that they are morally bankrupt and they’re not deserving of God’s mercy.  The reason they’d be- “blessed” is because Jesus has come to fulfill what is lacking in their spiritual poverty.  He has come to pay what is owed on their spiritual debt.  You might have heard us say that “he lived the perfect life in our place.”  Well, in this way he meets our spiritual need; in Christ, we won’t be poor in Spirit any longer.  Christ is rich enough in Spirit for all of us in a sense.
 
Next, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  Mourning in this context is most likely due to the sadness one feels because of their own moral failure, as well as the moral failure of humanity.  Those seeking God’s kingdom mourn their sin.  They’re comforted because Jesus has come to forgive them of their sins, and not only their sins, but the sins of everyone who turns to him.   
 
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”  The meek, by nature, do not seek their own glory.  They’re humble.  Their hearts are bowed low before the Lord.  They give deference, seeking to lift others up.  Jesus’ meek followers are blessed because they are the ones  who will inherit the earth.  There will be a turning of the tables.  That last will be first and the first will be last. 
 
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”  The world is full of unrighteousness.  Corruption reigns.  People of integrity are scarce.  But those who are part of God’s kingdom will be satisfied when Christ reigns over all the earth and brings justice.  We’re blessed because we know God’s justice is certain.  We might miss out on justice and fairness in this life, but not at the return of Christ.    
 
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”  Those who show mercy are fortunate because, in the end, God will show them mercy in Christ.  If we forgive others, God is faithful and just to forgive us.  Those who belong to God’s kingdom understand God’s great mercy toward them, and in turn, they are able to show others great mercy.
 
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  Those seeking God’s rule in the world purify themselves from the world.  They seek to live a righteous and holy life according to Jesus’ commands and to be more and more like him.  They’re blessed because, in the end, they will see God face to face.  And in the end they’ll also shed this sin-stained body and put on a glorified body in Christ.   
 
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  Jesus came to establish peace by reconciling relationships.   His followers show themselves to be true children of God when they also make peace by reconciling relationships. 
 
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Those who become outcasts and are attacked because they seek to live a righteous life honoring to God, as Jesus did, they are blessed because, in the end, they are the ones who receive his kingdom.
 
I want you to see that the kind of people described in these statements are unworldly.  If you think about it -People who love the world see no benefit in being mournful over sin, or meek, or pure in heart.  In their eyes, these things actually show weakness.  They’re not thinking of eternal things.  Heavenly minded people, on the other hand, don’t see this world as their permanent home.  They understand, deep in their hearts, that their forever home is with God and so all their hopes, and joys, and treasures are bound up with him.  They have no need to feel strong or powerful in this life because God is their strength.  They mourn their sin and understand their spiritual failures, and thus, they can recognize Jesus for who he is and what he did on the cross for them.  They desire righteousness and reconciliation in this life because they have set their hearts on the life to come, which is the most perfect life, because that’s where they will see God face to face.  The treasure of the citizen of heaven is God. 
 
I do need to mention again how we should view the beatitudes.  We should view them as desirable traits that will grow in us as we follow our Lord and live according to his rule in a sinful world.  We who belong to Jesus Christ and follow his rule are blessed because the Kingdom of God belongs to us.  But we should realize that these traits are not produced by our own will or effort.  The Holy Spirit produces them in us as we abide in him, and as he works in our hearts according to the Father’s desires.  It is by God’s grace that these traits are “born” in us, leading us to seek his kingdom and righteousness.