Today’s Gospel:  Matthew 5:1-12

REFLECTION
Today’s Gospel is among the most important parts of the Bible. Here, Jesus reveals to His audience the characteristics to be manifested in the life of every disciple. Jesus, having called His followers, thought it necessary to instruct them; they could hardly teach others if they remained unaware of the requirements of the kingdom. Therefore, at the earliest opportunity, He took them up the mountain to conduct a retreat, which continued for at least seven days. We must try to visualize that resplendent scene.

The Lord, knowing what lay ahead, had possibly purchased sufficient food to last for days, and probably the party camped near a mountain stream from which they could drink. High in the mountains, the air was pure, the vision glorious. The disciples did not know the importance of the occasion, but, in actual fact, they had returned to school, where Jesus was to be their Teacher.

Morning had arrived; breakfast had been eaten; the camp was set in order and the tune for the first lesson was at hand. The Lord deliberately seated Himself, at a convenient location, and looked at His students. They were ready, and perhaps a little nervous. What would He say? The theme to be considered was “Life in the Kingdom,” and as Jesus prepared to speak, He thought of other kingdoms around the world where men struggled for power. Throughout the kingdoms of earth, men valued material things, and paid high prices to capture positions of eminence. Jesus considered God’s kingdom, and recognized the need to reveal to His friends its basic principles. His students would not understand all He wished to tell them, but it was necessary to begin somewhere.

It is said that “when he was seated,” His disciples came unto Him. His action was very deliberate; He was like a judge entering a court room, and as everybody stood respectfully, He calmly took a seat on the bench to announce the session was in progress. The theme to be examined was Characteristics of God’s Kingdom.

THE FIRST BEATITUDE... Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit: for Theirs Is the Kingdom of Heaven

It must be noted that the blessedness mentioned here is not a promise relating to eternal happiness; it is a joyous experience to be known now. This is not a reward to be given for meritorious service; it is a benediction to be bestowed upon faithful servants of God, each and every day of life. Yet, unlike the kingdoms of earth, and in direct contrast to the characteristics of Caesar’s empire, those who would be great in the kingdom of heaven would sometimes be considered the least important among men.

One Bible version translates the passage thus: “Blessed [happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous, that is with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions] are the poor in spirit [the humble, rating themselves insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (v. 3). The word translated “poor” is “ptochoi,” and is a very expressive word meaning “extreme poverty to the point of destitution”. The man literally possesses nothing. Commenting on this, someone wrote, “It describes a poverty that has beaten a man to his knees!” A similar word may be found many times in the Psalms where David likens himself to a poor man. “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Ps. 34:6). This first beatitude could be expressed as: “Blessed is the man who is so beaten to his knees, that from this lowly standpoint, he lifts his eyes to the hills from whence cometh aid.” The twin truths are, “trouble and trust; problems and prayer; poverty and praise; dependence and deliverance.”

Had a man endeavored to apply this principle within an earthly kingdom, he would have exhibited stupidity, for such ideas would be inoperative wherever greed dictated selfish action. Yet Jesus taught this would be standard procedure within the kingdom of heaven. It would be impossible to outgive God, therefore, whatever was given away, would be returned, in one form or another, a hundred fold.

THE SECOND BEATITUDE... Blessed Are They That Mourn: for They Shall Be Comforted

It is not easy to decide the true meaning of these great words! They are constantly quoted at funerals, where grieving people are reminded of comfort found in the faithful promises of God. This truth is in the beatitude, but such an interpretation cannot exhaust the meaning of the text. Here is another translation of this scripture: “Blessed and enviably happy, [with a happiness produced by experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!” The word translated “mourn” is “penthountes” and it is a very expressive word signifying a “heartbreaking lament over tragic death.” It is the word used in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament to signify Jacob’s overwhelming grief when he thought Joseph was dead. (See Gen. 37:34.) “And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.” It expressed deep and prolonged sadness, such as produced Psalm 51 when David had sinned by murdering the husband of Bathsheba. The beatitude might easily mean, “Blessed are they who break their hearts, because of their having sinned before God - they shall be comforted, by the forgiving grace of God.” If this is the true interpretation, then the desired characteristics, in every Christian, would be deep penitence for sin, and increasing gratitude to God for His willingness to forgive. To be assured of pardon is to know genuine comfort within the soul. To receive God’s mercy should lead to obedience, when He commands “Go and sin no more.” The beatitude implies a close examination of a disappointing past, and a clear indication that in seeking comfort, the soul looks to God for the forgiveness He alone can supply.

We are told that after Bathsheba had given birth to David’s child, “The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died.” Later, when David heard the distressing news, He “arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped.” His attitude mystified the servants who asked for an explanation. Then David said, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him,” but he shall not return to me. And David comforted Bathsheba his wife” (see 2 Samuel 12:15–24.)

The gospel is the most wonderful message ever preached. Death is often the harbinger of sorrow, but when the soul can say, “I shall go to him,” there is certainty of reunion and loss is only temporary. This glorious fact enables the believer to say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55). The citizens of the kingdom of heaven will be recognized by this type of comforting joy. Jesus knew this and said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (v. 4).

THE THIRD BEATITUDE... Blessed Are the Meek: for They Shall Inherit the Earth

The word “meek” according to the dictionary means, “gentle, mild of temper, patient, easily imposed upon, unresenting, spiritless, modest, piously humble.” It is definitely a little-big word with many meanings. Therefore, it is necessary that we proceed slowly as we seek to understand the third beatitude. Unfortunately, the word is often used to express spinelessness; a person with very little backbone! Obviously, such a meaning has no connection with the thought Jesus expressed. The Bible says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). Moses did not fit into the mold of the modern interpretations of the word “meek.” He could be angry, and was never susceptible to imposition. Moses was the greatest leader Israel ever had; he was a figure of towering strength, and the splendor of his personality struck terror into the hearts of sinful men. Yet, he was described as the “meekest man on earth.” Obviously, we must seek the true meaning of this important beatitude.

The Greek word used here is “praeis;” it comes from “praotees” and has several usages. It was often used to express humility; and an absence of anger. It expressed docility, gentleness of character, and sometimes mildness of speech. Probably, its best usage can be found in that it described an animal that had been domesticated, such as a dog trained to respond to the command of its master, or a horse which had been broken. These illustrations may seem strange, but they provide word pictures of meekness. A sinful man can be an untamed animal, a dog to bite, or a horse which throws its rider. Yet, when the grace of God transforms the sinner into a saint, turbulent passions are tamed and brought into submissiveness to the Lord. The man who formerly lived to please himself, learns to respond when the Holy Spirit gently pulls on the reins! The angry soul which loved to snap and bite, becomes the willing servant of its trainer. A dog will hunt, warn, protect, and do anything the master orders. Instead of being savage and unrestrained, the domesticated dog plays with children and is a delight to an entire family. To the ancient Greeks, this was “being gentle or meek.” It denoted a person who had come into contact with a greater power; a dynamic which had transformed an untrustworthy animal into a beloved companion.

Probably the Lord had this in mind when He delivered the beatitude. Such people, instead of losing the battles of life, would emerge as victors. Loving others they would be loved; serving others they would make many friends; giving of their time, talents, and wealth, they would be enriched immeasurably and would inherit the earth. These were the principles operative within the kingdom of heaven. Jesus did not come to make things better, He came to make things new, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

THE FOURTH BEATITUDE... Blessed Are They Which Do Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness: for They Shall Be Filled

Remember the news about the famine that devastated Ethiopia in the mid-1980s? The pictures shown on television were appalling; it was sickening and frightening to see the emaciated bodies of small children destined to die prematurely. They were slowly starving to death, whereas in the rich countries, much food is wasted daily. Throughout World War II, the people in Britain were strictly rationed, but there was always sufficient food to keep people alive and, occasionally, a few luxuries became available. When Jesus spoke of “hungering,” many of His listeners understood what He meant. Nevertheless, He was speaking of hungering and thirsting after righteousness. However vital it was to have food for the body, it was even more important to obtain nourishment for the soul. The same idea can be found in Psalm 42:1, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God .... ” Acute need leads to an irrepressible urge for fellowship with the living God. The only people who are “filled” with God’s wonderful sufficiency, are they who hunger desperately for the things heaven alone can supply. Was Paul expressing a similar thought when he wrote: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung [refuse], that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Phil. 3:8–9).

THE FIFTH BEATITUDE... Blessed Are the Merciful: for They Shall Obtain Mercy

It might be beneficial to consider this beatitude against the background of an Old Testament story. The Book of Judges describes a very strange king who had a peculiar hobby. Whenever he captured another monarch, he cut off the man’s thumbs and his great toes, and then let him eat beneath the royal table. The captives were as dogs begging for food. Their hands resembled claws as they tried to seize food thrown down by the king. Eventually, this man whose name was Adoni-bezek, was captured by the men of Judah. It is written: “They... caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me” (Judg. 1:6–7). This old story is a great example of the truth: “You reap whatsoever you sow.”

The Lord also told a story of a man who was forgiven an enormous debt, and yet refused to forgive a fellow servant. Jesus explained that the man was severely punished. The New Testament consistently teaches that if we expect forgiveness from God, we must be prepared to forgive our neighbors. When a man refuses to be merciful, he should not anticipate mercy. Mercy begets forgiveness and this is the message of the Christian gospel. Jesus instructed His disciples when they prayed to say, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Paul, writing to the Ephesians .said, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). An embittered, unforgiving person is the most unlovely, unattractive soul in the world. They repel, but never attract.

THE SIXTH BEATITUDE... Blessed Are the Pure in Heart: for They Shall See God

When the Lord uttered these words, He might have been thinking of David’s words, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Ps. 24:3–4). The Greek words are “katharoi tee pardia” which mean “clean in heart.” The phrase is used throughout the ancient writings and indicates “washed clothes.” It may also be found expressing cleansed wheat, where the grain has been separated from chaff, etc. It is even used in a military sense, indicating a body of soldiers purged of cowards. The whole idea is that the undesirable elements have been removed in order to improve efficiency.

The Bible teaches that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Therefore, as a woman washes clothes to remove dirt; as a farmer winnows grain to remove chaff; and as a general diligently examines the credentials of his soldiers, so we must give attention to our souls. The thought permeating all these illustrations appears to be careful examination. Clothes do not cleanse themselves; a harvest is not gathered without workers; soldiers without discipline are of little use. Quality is always better than quantity. Obviously, Christians should be the best possible in the service of the King. Heroes are they who do valiantly on the field of battle - they meet the King. Cowards are dishonorably discharged from the fighting forces. We are reminded “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers”; we are at war with evil. If we please God, when the conflict has terminated, we shall see the King in His beauty.

THE SEVENTH BEATITUDE... Blessed Are the Peacemakers: for They Shall Be Called the Children of God

Peace has always been the most elusive thing in the world. Nations persist in going to war with each other; countries have been divided by factions. Peace is the elusive bubble which floats beyond a man’s reach. Yet, Jesus insisted the peace of God would be the outstanding characteristic of kingdom life. Discord, strife, and enmity are not the attributes of holiness. A correct relationship with men may often be the prelude to a similar relationship with God. Indirectly the Savior taught this when He said, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matt. 5:23–24).

It was Christmas day, in 1917, when a British chaplain climbed out of a muddy trench on the battlefield in France. Slowly, he walked toward the German trenches, and every onlooker expected him to be shot at any moment. Reaching the enemy lines, he reminded the Germans that it was Christmas day, and that in their land and his, families would be singing Christmas carols. He suggested a truce. Both British and Germans climbed out of the mud to attend to the needs of the wounded and to bury their dead. No shots were fired until January 3rd when the ruling powers decided it was time “to get on with the war.” That British chaplain received the military medal for his bravery. Probably that was the best Christmas of his life; he knew the reality of Christ’s words: “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.”

It is never easy to bring bitter enemies together; but it is tragic if the attempt is never made. Some people are specially gifted with tact, wisdom, and courage, to intercede in difficult situations. Their patient endeavors; their tactful persuasion, their manifested love for fellow human beings, often bridge what appears to be unbridgable chasms. Blessed indeed are the peacemakers, for these share the desires of the Almighty; they shall be called His children.

THE EIGHTH BEATITUDE... Blessed Are They Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake: for Theirs Is the Kingdom of Heaven

Probably, this was the most applicable of all Christ’s beatitudes; to follow Christ was to walk the most lonely pathway in the world. It was never easy for anyone to become a Christian, but for the saints of the first three centuries, it was extremely difficult. Historians tell us that Christians had to suffer things beyond description. We have heard of the Christians who were flung to the lions or burned at the stake; but those were kindly deaths. Nero wrapped the Christians in pitch and set them afire, and used them as torches to light his gardens. He sewed them in the skins of wild animals, and set his hunting dogs upon them to tear them to death. They were tortured on the rack; they were scraped with pinchers; molten lead was poured hissing upon them. There were other kinds of torture. These things are not pleasant to think about, but these are the things for which a man had to be prepared when he took his stand for Christ.

We are reminded of the words in Hebrews 11:36–38, “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented... they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.... ” But - and let it be emphasized, THEY DID IT. Correctly was it said, “Of them, the world was not worthy.”

The early Christians saw families turn against them; they lost their employment, were falsely accused of heinous crimes; they heard their faith slandered, twisted, ridiculed. They were compelled to worship Caesar, and when they refused, were sacrificed on the altars of idols. YET THEY ENDURED. Their blood became the seed of the church, and theirs indeed was the kingdom of heaven. Their faith meant so much, they sealed the testimony with their blood. Alas, today, the gospel means so little. We surrender readily that for which our forefathers died. The blessedness of this beatitude is something many people never experience.

THE NINTH BEATITUDE... Blessed Are Ye, when Men Shall Revile You, and Persecute You, and Shall Say All Manner of Evil Against You Falsely for My Sake. Rejoice, and Be Exceeding Glad; for Great Is Your Reward in Heaven: for so Persecuted They the Prophets Which Were Before You.

This is the last of the beatitudes. Three areas await investigation. (1) A Great Pleasure. (2) A Glorious Promise. (3) A Gracious Privilege. Let us consider them in that order.

A GREAT PLEASURE... “REJOICE AND BE EXCEEDING GLAD” (v. 12a)

Jesus never lured disciples with false hopes of grandeur. He promised them suffering, persecution, and a cross. Nevertheless, He also indicated that increasing joy would be their continuing experience as they learned to walk with God. One Bible version  translates these verses, “Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great, (strong and intense).” Happiness among men and women is an experience based upon happenings! If events be adverse, the outcome tends to be sad, discouraging, and miserable. If everything goes according to plan, people feel pleased, satisfied, and glad. Christianity does not work in that way. Joy is not really affected by adverse circumstances. Christians rejoice in success, but they trust when things are contrary. Joy depends upon fellowship with God and not on circumstances to be endured. Happiness may be destroyed in moments; true joy is eternal.

A GLORIOUS PROMISE... “GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN” (V 12b).

There are at least three reasons for the joy of the Christian. Jesus said (Luke 10:20) “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” He also says His disciples should rejoice in anticipation of the reward for meritorious service. John in Rev. 22:4 indicates we shall see the Savior’s face, when the severity of persecution will fade into insignificance.

A GRAND PRIVILEGE... WE FOLLOW IN THE PROPHETS’ FOOTSTEPS

“So persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (v. 12c). Saints who suffer for righteousness’ sake are in good company! Maybe we are being watched. “Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet, and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us” (Heb. 12:1)

Thus did Jesus end this part of His teaching on the mount. His disciples would soon commence their crusade. They should be ready to preach their message; exhibit the grace and love of God, and should it become necessary, lay down their lives in support of their cause. Doubtless these precepts were reiterated many times during the Lord’s incomparable ministry, but Matthew, with rare skill, preserved these sayings for posterity in that remarkable document known as “The Sermon on the Mount.”

Today’s Reading:  Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14

PRAYER
Lord, burn in my mind the image of you delivering Your beatitudes, and remind me always to live by them.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.