The BeatitudesHe said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:1-12
What does "Blessed" mean?
Eulogeo (Greek) = Beraka (Hebrew) means two things: to ask for blessing; as in "bless these people who are suffering: a prayer request. This is not what Jesus means here. It means it is recognizing an existing state. Not conditional. You are...He is describing what a good disciple is like in the beattitudes.
What does "Poor in spirit" mean? Jesus is not talking about finances. It means someone who is humble because they seek God. He could have been referring to Isaiah 66:2:
"Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66:2
They understand who God is and who they are.
What is the kingdom of God?
History and desire. The Jews want to go back to the time of King David. But Jesus isn't referring to this. The King of God is both present and future (Lord's prayer)
"But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Luke 11:20
The Kingdom of God began on earth when Jesus came to earth and will end when He returns -- the culmination of the Kingdom of God. We are living in the interim, the Kingdom is now. "Blessed are the humble who understand God is King. We are in the Kingdom now."
"Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted."
What is Jesus talking about? it is a state of being -- this mourning. They are mourning the evil of the world and the evil in themselves. It implies we can't fix what is wrong, but know that God can. Thihs is not the end. Real comfort knowing that God is the only answer.
"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."
"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity".Psalm 37:8-11
The meek have ability to be angry and violent but choose not to be. They have self-control in relation to other people. Meek doesn't mean weak. Meekness is self-control, not weakness. A sign of maturity.
The Land -- promised land. The Jews would be thinking of the Exodus. But this isn't what Jesus was referring to. He was referring to the world.
"It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." Romans 4:13
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8:22
You are blessed right now because you know what is coming. The meek will inherit the world. State of current existence. These are characteristics of a good disciple.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst"
Jesus is talking about someone who is desperate for God. Those who are desperate for God will be filled -- a feast.
Righteousness-- is relational. God's righteousness = justice = salvation.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God." Micah 6:8
This is how we should live our lives as Jesus's disciples:
-- in humbleness
-- mourning evil but knowing God will make it all right in the end
-- Self-controlled
-- Be hungry for God!
When we live like this we are already blessed! May God bless and keep you