Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 by declaring a series of blessings given to the citizens of His kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
This list shows us what is of utmost value to God. These traits cannot be earned; they are fruit from the grace of God. However, we can contribute to their growth with our continual “yes” to Jesus. The more we draw near to Him, the more poor in spirit we become as we see ourselves in light of Him. Think of Job’s response (“My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6) or Isaiah’s response (“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips...my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:1-5) or Peter’s response (“And when Peter saw that he fell at Jesus' knees and said, Depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man.” Luke 5:8) What complete humility is produced upon seeing God.
Take the second beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn”. We would NOT normally think of mourning as a blessing. But with the kingdom of heaven, mourning becomes a blessing because the mourner will be comforted by God himself! Truly profound.
The attributes God rewards are characteristics often not admired by the world’s standards. The meek will inherit the earth? Isn’t it the most powerful and assertive who will inherit the earth? Well, as it turns out, it is the meek—those whose faith and trust is absolutely in God.
Oh, the goodness of God. He will never refuse the one thirsting and hungering for righteousness. How discouraging it would be to be denied the food and water you desperately yearn for. In His kingdom, the desire for righteousness, which is to desire God, will always be met and satisfied.
God’s love for mercy, purity, and peace is affirmed in the Beatitudes. God is merciful; His citizens are too. It is a sowing and reaping equation in His kingdom where mercy must be shown in order to be received. The pure in heart are washed clean by Jesus, then make choices everyday to foster that purity. The reward is well worth it, for they are the ones who will see God. When God’s peace is received in full measure, it overflows. Consequently, the recipient becomes a peacemaker and receives the blessing of sonship.
Jesus speaks to being mistreated and suffering for righteousness’ sake. He acknowledges a blessed life in His kingdom does not mean an absence of hardship. We can take comfort knowing when we endure such situations, the kingdom is not diminished. God’s kingdom cannot be moved by insults. It cannot be changed by false accusations. And great is the reward in heaven for those who, like the prophets before them, endure such treatment.
As we meditate on the Beatitudes:
Consider how becoming more and more like Jesus will bear much kingdom-of-heaven fruit in you.
Think about all the blessed promises attached to living by grace according to His kingdom.