Sometimes referred to as the “beautiful attitudes,” the Beatitudes offer a study of the qualities and characteristics the “blessed of God” must develop.
In the beautiful section of Scripture known as the Sermon on the Mount are the Beatitudes, in which Jesus taught some of His greatest lessons. These lessons develop a theme that, interestingly enough, relate to statements in the book of Revelation. The blessed of God are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), are in the first resurrection (Revelation 20:6) and have a right to the tree of life (Revelation 22:14). So, what lesson was Jesus teaching us?
Poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)
In the book of Psalms, we find these words: “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart; and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18). The word contrite means “full of, or showing, remorse” or, in other words, a willingness to say, “I’m sorry.” It is simply a repentant attitude, a feeling or desire to correct a wrong. “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2). This is an individual with a broken-hearted, repentant spirit and a desire to obey God.
Those who mourn (Matthew 5:4)
To mourn means to show sorrow. James admonishes us to “lament and mourn and weep!”
To mourn means to show sorrow. James admonishes us to “lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:9-10). Those who mourn feel a sense of humility and sadness, whether the concern is for us, for others or for the plight of our nation. The prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus will comfort those who mourn (Isaiah 61:3), a passage Jesus quoted early in His ministry (Luke 4:17-21).
The meek (Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37:11)
Meek does not mean weak. We are told in Scripture that Moses was very meek, but Moses was a strong leader. Christ was meek and gentle, but He certainly was not weak. Meek means “tame-spirited,” a spirit that can be tamed or humbled; a spirit that is submissive, gentle, patient and kind.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6)
Righteousness means “to do right; virtuous, upright, just, fair, uncompromising, morally correct, justifiable.” It is not the same as self-righteousness, which Christ labeled hypocrisy. Notice how it is expressed in the Bible: “Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments. Your testimonies, whichYou have commanded, are righteous and very faithful… Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth… For all Your commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:137-138, 142, 172).
The merciful (Matthew 5:7)
Mercy refers to refraining from “the infliction of suffering on the part of the one who has the right or power to inflict it.” In other words, it is unmerited pardon or forgiveness. Jesus gave us this example, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. [Do unto others]… Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:31, 36). “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy… For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:8, 11).
Pure in heart (Matthew 5:8)
Pure has the same connotation as the word clean. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5).
Pure is described as “without false ingredients, undefiled, free from discord, innocent, chaste, a desire to be sinless.
Pure is described as “without false ingredients, undefiled, free from discord, innocent, chaste, a desire to be sinless.” Paul, in his letter to Titus, wrote, “To the pure [clean of heart] all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but even their mind and conscience are defiled” (Titus 1:15). The apostle John reminds us, “Everyone who has this hope in Him [the hope of eternal life] purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).
The peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
The word peacemaker, used in the Sermon on the Mount, is not always synonymous with third-party intervention. While a third party can contribute to a peaceful solution between two other parties, the biblical intention of this statement is more personal. We are to “refrain from strife, to restore, to have harmonious relations, or to reconcile.” Jesus put it this way: “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). Paul wrote, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
Persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10)
“Blessed are you, when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake” (Matthew 5:11). Today we have a politically correct society. But political correctness is not always biblical correctness. Myriad lifestyles common in our society are considered correct politically, and to condemn such lifestyle choices can bring ridicule. Nevertheless, we are told, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
And so, from the Beatitudes, we learn that the blessed of God are humble, compassionate, meek, righteous, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and willing to be persecuted for righteousness sake.
What else did Jesus promise to those developing these character qualities? “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).
