The Beatitudes Of Christ (Part 2) Series

The Basis of Blessing (Part 2)

Matthew 5: 3-12

Today I would like to continue our study on the passage that is commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. Remember this is a Latin term that literally means “happiness or bliss.” Our Lord uses the word blessed nine times in this discourse. He is clearly emphasizing the presence of blessing for those who seek to know Him. This has the idea of “spiritual joy and satisfaction that lasts regardless of conditions; that carries one through pain, sorrow, loss, and grief.”

As we discovered last week, many of the blessings Jesus speaks of appear to be contradictions, but we must remember that God’s economy is much different than ours. Much of what the world considers a blessing is based upon circumstances or material possessions. The Lord speaks of blessing in regard to our relationship with Him and the abundance that He gives. This world will never understand and most will never receive the blessing that Jesus offers, but we can rejoice in what we have received in Him.

I want to quickly review the blessings we considered last week and then continue to examine the passage as we seek to discover the assurances our Lord promises through: The Beatitudes of Christ.

I. Blessed are the Simple (3) – This refers to those who are poor in spirit; those who have recognized their need for the Lord and their inability to achieve His righteousness of themselves.

II. Blessed are the Sorrowful (4) – There seems to be little blessing or comfort in mourning, but those who have come to the place of sorrow and grief over their sin are truly blessed. Those who have realized their need of salvation and came to a place of repentance and sorrow for sin are blessed.

III. Blessed are the Submissive (5) – Jesus reveals our need for humility and submission before a holy God. Where being poor in spirit recognizes our need of salvation, our meekness recognizes the holiness of God and causes us to humble ourselves before Him.

IV. Blessed are the Seekers (6) – What a promise and encouragement our Lord reveals here. He promises those who are hungry for His righteousness can be filled with His abundance. There is no reason for a child of God to be hungry in the Lord. We can continually be filled.

The first four beatitudes deal exclusively with the inner man, our heart and our desires toward the Lord. The remaining four that we will consider tonight reveal the outward manifestation of those attitudes and desires of the heart.

V. Blessed are the Sympathetic (7) – Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. The first outward manifestation Jesus speaks of regarding those who are blessed is mercy. The word means “to show kindness, compassion, benevolence, and forgiveness; to extend mercy.” It has the idea of “forgiving those who are wrong; showing empathy; it is coming along-side someone and feeling their burden with him. It is a deliberate effort, to understand and meet one’s need by forgiveness and mercy.”

This concept was completely foreign to many in Jesus’ day. He was dealing with the seed of Abraham, those who were proud of their lineage and had little mercy or compassion for those who were different. They were strict in their adherence to the law and had little sympathy for those who lived or behaved contrary to their traditions. They had no desire or compassion for the Gentiles or even the Samaritans. They were proud that God had chosen them and were content to see His wrath on everyone else.

Things have not changed much today. We do not live in a barbaric society, and yet many times mercy is not shown. It is especially troubling to see a lack of mercy within the church. Church members can be some of the most unmerciful people you will ever meet. Some gather to worship the Lord, rejoicing in salvation, and are never moved by the needs of the unsaved. We need to show mercy and compassion for those who need the Lord.

When you think about it, mercy is one of the divine attributes of our Lord. Where would any of us be today had He not shown mercy? It was that mercy that withheld the judgment and condemnation that we deserved. I pray we will seek to be merciful as our Lord is merciful.

VI. Blessed are the Sincere (8) – Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Those who are poor in spirit, recognizing their need for the Lord, become pure in heart. The heart speaks of much more than the organ that circulates the blood. It refers to the inner man, the attitudes and desires of the heart, the emotions, and even the will. This is speaking of who we are on the inside, the passions that drive us and make us who we are.