Matthew 5 :1-12

Last Tuesday we looked into truths that endure, principles and teachings applied that literally transform life for the believer. In Matthew 5, we see JESUS defines what a blessed life is, our identity and the law and its applications.

1) JESUS defines what a blessed life really is (v. 1-12)
Imagine you are one of the large crowds on the mountain and you saw and heard what JESUS was teaching His disciples saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see GOD.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of GOD.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs in 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, for your reward in heaven is great...."

You must be wondering... real or not? In this world where you have to fight for survival, where the wicked seem to triumph; you find no justice, everything seems so unfair, etc. and JESUS said blessed are the "losers" who are poor in spirit, gentle, merciful... and those persecuted! JESUS must be kidding! This is impossible!!
Blessed in Greek means "happiness" We are on a path to a blessed life if we are having a intimate relationship with GOD, living in obedience to what He wants us to do and finding favour with Him despite our circumstances, our position or issues we may have to handle.
The Jews at that time were under the rule of the Romans and were waiting for the Messiah to bring the kingdom of heaven, to free them from their oppressions. What they were expecting was so opposite to what they heard from JESUS when He preached about the kingdom of heaven above. Charles R Swindoll explained the Beatitudes very clearly:
The 8 characters of blessed people; representing the principal graces of Christians are:
1) The poor in spirit - meaning one is humble, lowly and helpless in his own eyes, but puts his whole trust in GOD, spiritually bankrupt, deserving nothing, he turns to the Almighty GOD in total trust. The reward : the kingdom of heaven is promised.
2) Those who mourn - are those who loved with profound devotion, sorrow of a broken heart, sincere caring for others, compassionate, mourning over the wrongs in the world, one's own wrong and sinfulness, etc. Reward: they shall be comforted.
3) The gentle - these are not weaklings or some 'doormats' but people who choose words carefully to soothe strong emotions; like ointment that takes the fever away and sting out of a wound. Reward: they shall inherit the earth.
4) Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - these are people with a passionate drive for justice, servants engaged in pursuit of GOD, longing to walk with Him and bless Him. Not only a vertical holiness but also looking around, being grieved over corruption, gross lack of integrity, moral compromises that abound, they press on for righteousness. Reward: they shall be satisfied.
5) The merciful - mercy is concern for people in need, offering help for those hurting and suffering. "Chesedh" or mercy means the ability to get right inside the other person's skin. It denotes sympathy which comes from deliberate identification with the other person, see things as he sees, feel as he feels. True servants are merciful. They care. They get involved. They offer more than pious words. Reward: they shall obtain mercy in return. This is exactly what JESUS did for us.
6) The pure in heart - this quality emphasizes on the inner man , the motive, the "heart", doing the right things for the right reason. Being free from duplicity, hypocrisy and/or sham. GOD desires His people to be real, authentic to the core. The Pharisees and Sadducees are:
* Big on rules and little on godliness.
* Big on externals and little on 'internals.
* Big on public commands and little on personal obedience.
* Big on appearance and little on reality.
Rewards : consistent servants who are pure in heart shall see GOD.
7) The peacemakers does not mean people who avoid all conflict and confrontations, or who are passive, who compromise their convictions when surrounded by those who would disagree. A peacemaker is a servant who first is at peace with himself internally, he works hard to settle quarrels - not start them, accepting, tolerant, finds no pleasure in being negative. (Eph 4:3, Prov 14:1, Prov 16:24, Prov 28:25) Reward : shall be called sons of GOD.
8) Those persecuted - this is sure to happen :) Reward: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Akang datang - Matt 5:13-48 :)