Knowing The Word in Matthew 5:2-12

The Beatitudes [outline the attitude of a true disciple]

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed [fortunate vs. happy] are the poor in spirit [not in wealth], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [We see these people in the Old Testament, people whose loyalty to God results in oppression and material disadvantage. Their dependence is upon God, not wealth or position. Consider Christians in Pakistan. “Theirs is the kingdom of God” means that people like this are God’s people.]

4 “Blessed are those who mourn [not necessarily the bereaved but those who suffer in this life, who from a worldly perspective are unhappy in their suffering due to their loyalty], for they shall be comforted. [See Isaiah 61:2]

5 “Blessed are the meek [those who do not throw their weight around but wait upon the Lord for their due], for they shall inherit the earth. [See Psalm 37:11]

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [their desire is for a personal obedience to and trust in God, not for social justice], for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful [see Psalm 18:25-26], for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart [one who loves God with all his heart with an undivided loyalty, whose interior nature matches his external nature], for they shall see God. [See 1 John 3:2-3]

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers [who have an absence of selfish ambition, who also possess the previous qualities], for they shall be called sons of God. [God is the chief peacemaking (Ephesians 2:14-18) and this quality makes disciples out as his sons, for the sons share the characteristics of the Father.]

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Righteousness, as understood in Matthew, is a conspicuous loyalty and obedience to God, which will attract persecution. Righteousness should progressively be seen in all disciples, and where that is the case the kingdom of heaven is.]

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [Insult and slander are the forms of persecution Christians have always experienced. Since this happened to Jesus, we should not be surprised when it happens to us. It should make us glad because it shows we are faithful servants.]