“The BeAtitudes”
9/24/2006 - Marsing, ID
Ricardo Rodriguez – pastor_rr@yahoo.com
Matt 5:1-12
“1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. " 4"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. " 5"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. " 6"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. " 7"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. " 8"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. " 9"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. " 10"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. " 11"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. " 12"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
“1Y VIENDO las gentes, subió al monte; y sentándose, se llegaron á él sus discípulos. 2Y abriendo su boca, les enseñaba, diciendo: 3Bienaventurados los pobres en espíritu: porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos. 4Bienaventurados los que lloran: porque ellos recibirán consolación. 5Bienaventurados los mansos: porque ellos recibirán la tierra por heredad. 6Bienaventurados los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia: porque ellos serán hartos. 7Bienaventurados los misericordiosos: porque ellos alcanzarán misericordia. 8Bienaventurados los de limpio corazón: porque ellos verán á Dios. 9Bienaventurados los pacificadores: porque ellos serán llamados hijos de Dios. 10Bienaventurados los que padecen persecución por causa de la justicia: porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos. 11Bienaventurados sois cuando os vituperaren y os persiguieren, y dijeren de vosotros todo mal por mi causa, mintiendo. 12Gozaos y alegraos; porque vuestra merced es grande en los cielos: que así persiguieron á los profetas que fueron antes de vosotros.”
There are 8 simple textual expositions yet spiritually profound treasures in the Sermon that Jesus preached on that Mountain.
It was on a mountainside, with the scenery much as we have here. Jesus was not speaking with a purpose to entertain or fill in some time, what Jesus the Preacher of preachers was talking about was the way to eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven.
During this time that Jesus began to preach the Romans had occupied Palestine and there were four main groups in the Jewish Religion. These all presented a different viewpoint to the Jewish people.
The Pharisees
The Sadducees
The Essenes
The Zealots
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were very strict in the law of Moses as well as the observances of the Jewish people. The Zealots were a militant Jewish people who wanted freedom for their homeland which was Nazareth in Galilee. The Essenes were a group of Israelites that were waiting for the Messiah who would establish a Kingdom on Earth and free them from oppression.
The Ten Commandments was given to the People of Israel and we can relate them to evil things we must avoid on a daily life.
The BeAtitudes are rather a inner transformation and in essence these are characteristics we must develop and practice on a daily life.
These are a promise unto salvation not only in this world but the one to come, the Kingdom of heaven.
One of the first contemplations of the BeAtitudes written around 380 A.D. put it this way:
“Beatitude is a possession of all things held to be good, from which nothing is absent that a good desire may want.”
We are able to understand what the BeAtitudes are by seeing what is the opposite of beautitude which is misery. Misery is an affliction of an unwilling and painful suffering.
Gospel of Matthew 5:3-10
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
As we discuss each of these BeAtitudes we must allow it to speak toward holiness of the heart and of the mind.
ON THE BEATITUDES
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Poor in spirit" means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. To have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open to the Word of God. When we are an empty cup and devoid of pride, we are humble. Humility brings an openness and an inner peace, allowing one to do the will of God.
It is pride, the opposite of humility, that brings misery. For pride brings anger and the seeking of revenge, especially when one is offended. If every man were humble and poor in spirit, there would be no war!
"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Gregory of Nyssa taught that the Beatitudes built one upon another. Thus if we are humble and appreciate that all of our gifts and blessings come from God, we grow in love and gratitude for Jesus Christ our Savior. But this can only produce mourning and regret over our own sins and the sins of this world, for we have hurt the one who has been so good to us.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
A person who is meek is gentle and kind, and exhibits a docility of spirit. Obedience and submission to the will of God are certainly not in vogue these days, but they will bring one peace in this world and in the next.
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
A continuous desire for justice and moral perfection will lead one to a fulfillment of that desire - a transition and conversion to holiness.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Love, compassion, and forgiveness towards one’s neighbor will bring peace in your relationships. And your Heavenly Father will be merciful with you! Jesus reminds us that whatever "you did to the least of my brethren, you did it to me [Matthew 25:31-46]." Here are the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy:
The Corporal Works of Mercy
1 Feed the Hungry
2 Give drink to the thirsty
3 Clothe the naked
4 Shelter the homeless
5 Comfort the imprisoned
6 Visit the sick
7 Bury the dead
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
1 Admonish sinners
2 Instruct the uninformed
3 Counsel the doubtful
4 Comfort the sorrowful
5 Be patient with those in error
6 Forgive offenses
7 Pray for those in need
"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."
To be pure of heart means to be free of all selfish intentions and self-seeking desires. What a beautiful goal! How many times have any of us performed an act perfectly free of any personal gain? But an act of pure and selfless giving brings happiness to all.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."
Peacemakers not only live peaceful lives but also try to bring peace and friendship to others, and to preserve peace between God and man. Gregory of Nyssa pointed out that by imitating God’s love of man, the peacemakers become children of God.
"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Jesus said many times that those who follow Him will be persecuted. "If they persecute me, they will persecute you [John 15:20-21]." But the Lord promises his disciples that their reward will be the Kingdom of Heaven!
http://jesuschristsavior.net/Beatitudes.html
