Beatitudes

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

What does Jesus mean when he talks about blessings? The word Blessed in Greek is Makarios, and it's difficult to translate into English. Many translators used the word Blessed or Happy as the meaning they could get. There is an eternal Joy on the inside that the world cannot give you. This means no matter what happens in my day, I have a joy that cannot be taken away.

These Beatitudes re an invitation into a completely counter-cultural value system that no circumstance or happening can take our Joy away. It's by living with these new instructions that Jesus gives, that he is inviting us to live a truly flourishing life.

The first group that Jesus says is blessed are the poor in spirit. What does He mean to be poor in spirit? In the book of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 3, the word that is used in the original New Testament Greek is a word that means "poverty, to cower, to cringe like a beggar". In classical Greek usage, it was used the same way, as someone who crouches, who bends, who wretchedly begs for money or for worth. And if you take this meaning of the word and you combine it with "in spirit", you get "poverty in spirit". What it is saying is: those who are poor in spirit are those who are blessed, are those who will have the kingdom of heaven.

You could translate it like this, "Blessed are those who are so desperately poor in their spiritual resources that they realize that they must have help from outside sources. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

Matthew 5:3-20 : "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed shall you be when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you for My sake, falsely. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to trodden under the foot of men. You re the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill, cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in Heaven. Think not that I come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy them, but to fulfill them. For truly I say unto you, Till Heaven, and earth perish, one iota or title of the Law shall not escape, till all things be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall observe and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

So I ask you, where are you today? What is your heart yearning for? Do you know someone that needs guidance or assistance of any kind? Maybe by listening to others and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can help ourselves, along with helping others come to know Him. The Sermon on the Mount is an awesome tool or resource on how we as Christians, or followers of Jesus Christ, should live our daily lives and interact with others. I would encourage you to open up the Word of God and read over those passages and refresh your mind and spirit. We all have the ability to strive for righteousness and be the salt and the light that can lead others to find that JOY or the PEACE that passes all understanding. But we have to come to know it within ourselves first, then help others find their way in this dark world. I hope you have found this useful and inspiring. Until next time...

Be well...

Sermon on the Mount