The Beatitudes

“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.