The Beatitudes Of Christ (Part 1) Series

The Beatitudes of Christ (Part 1)

Matthew 5: 3-12

Our text begins the great discourse of Jesus, His preaching of The Sermon on the Mount. His powerful message began with what has become commonly known as the “Beatitudes.” The term beatitude comes from Latin and literally means “happiness or bliss.”

It is interesting to note that the Old Testament closes with a warning of judgment and Jesus begins His public ministry with the hope of happiness and joy. The heart of this passage focuses on the joy believers can experience in the Lord. Our circumstances may not lend themselves to real happiness, but we can have joy in the Lord.

Jesus uses the word blessed nine times in these opening verses. Clearly there is a significant emphasis on being blessed. This has the idea of “spiritual joy and satisfaction that lasts regardless of conditions; that carries one through pain, sorrow, loss, and grief.” He reveals the presence and assurance of blessing to those who follow Him.

Some may consider much of what Jesus says here to be contradictions: Blessed are the poor in spirit; Blessed are they that mourn; Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake. To the world these would appear as contradictions, but we must remember that God’s economy is much different than ours. This passage deals with those who know the Lord. These blessings are not promised to those who have no personal relationship with Christ. Let’s take a few moments to begin looking at this gracious portion of Scripture. I want to examine the assurances our Lord reveals as we consider: The Beatitudes of Christ.

I. Blessed are the Simple (3) – Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. On the surface this statement appears to be a contradiction to what we’ve been taught and experienced in life. Those who are poor often find themselves dealing with the harsh effects of poverty: hunger, improper clothing, housing, etc. We must understand that Jesus is not teaching from a physical perspective. Those who read this from a physical standpoint miss the great truth Jesus sought to convey.

While it is commonly thought, those who are poor in material wealth are often closer to the Lord, depending solely upon Him, this is not the context of what Jesus has said. The word poor means what one would think: reduced to begging; destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor; to be poor and needy, lacking. He is speaking of those who are poor in spirit, those who have come to the realization that they needed something in their life this world could not provide. These have realized that Jesus alone can supply what one truly needs in life.

What we have in material possessions really isn’t the issue. It is often difficult for those who have need of nothing too see their need for the Lord, but Jesus wants us to realize that spiritually we are poor and undone before Him. Without the good hand of God working in our lives we have nothing to rejoice about or to boast in.

Nicodemus was rich by the standards of the world, but he came to the place in life that he was poor in spirit. He realized he needed more than what he had gained in life. Those who are poor in spirit are truly blessed. They no longer depend upon themselves or their financial gain, but in the finished work of the cross. Ps.37:16 – A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. Blessed are those who have a humble spirit before the Lord.

II. Blessed are the Sorrowful (4) – Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. There seems to be little blessing in mourning and sorrow, but Jesus declares that those who are sorrowful and broken, those mourning over sin shall be brought to laughter and joy.

Clearly we all need godly sorrow in our lives. I rejoice for the day that I was sorrowful in spirit. I saw the error of my ways, the wickedness of sin that had consumed my being, and my need for a Savior. There was a brokenness over sin and the realization that Jesus had given Himself upon the cross, suffering for my sin, that I might have redemption and forgiveness. Had I never been broken over sin, I would’ve never been able to rejoice in salvation. Blessed are those who have been brought to a place of sorrow for their sins.

There are still times when I am broken over sin. There are days when I stumble and fall, coming short of what Christ desires of me. It is during these times that I feel godly sorrow for my failures. (Thank God for those times of sorrow; it is then that I am reminded that I belong to Him.)