Introduction
Jesus’ teaching, which we call The Beatitudes, was delivered as part of His Sermon on the Mount. They may well be among the most staggering words ever spoken—not from a renowned philosopher or king, but from a then little-known and controversial Rabbi. I can think of no other words from our Savior that have carried such profound meaning for so many hearts across the centuries.
We often take these words for granted because we’ve heard them so frequently, but for those in the crowd, these words must have struck like lightning. They had never heard teaching so utterly contrary to everything they had been taught or had assumed to be true. Some walked away in awe, lifted to a higher vision of God’s Kingdom; others walked away unsettled, forced to reckon with how they had treated their fellow man.
And yet, when we as believers read them today, too often our response is shallow. We nod politely, think, “Yes, that’s good—we should live this way,” and then move on unchanged.
To truly grasp these words, we must seek the mind of the One who spoke them. That can only happen by the power of the Holy Spirit. For, as Scripture reminds us, it is the Spirit alone who speaks to our spirit. This is especially true here. Still, we must take care not to elevate Jesus merely as a great teacher while neglecting His role as Savior. He is both—but never less than Savior.
So much has been taught on the Beatitudes that we may have a tendency to go over them quickly. So let us not treat this teaching lightly. Instead, let us sit while reading them slowly and carefully, allowing each phrase to search our hearts. This is how we meditate. These words are not simply ideals to admire; they are revelations of Christ’s very nature. They show us who He is, and who we are called to be in Him.
We were created to know Him—and that knowing comes only as we listen to His words, obey them, and let His Spirit transform us. The Beatitudes are not abstract virtues; they are the living character of Christ. To those who receive them, they bring new life. To those who live them, they release His power.
In Beginning
Throughout history, men of great influence have drawn followers who trailed after them wherever they went. In our day, we might call such people “groupies”—those who pursue music legends from concert to concert, city to city, even across nations, eager to remain in their presence.
So it was in the days of Jesus. Crowds pressed after Him, compelled by the power of His words and the works of His hands. Yet there came a moment when He paused, recognizing the need to speak directly and intentionally to those who followed Him. Choosing a mountainside as His setting, He seated Himself in a place of authority, gathering His followers before Him. From what the Scriptures record, He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying—
The Poor in Spirit
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
These words must have struck His listeners like thunder. Many in the crowd were paupers—beaten down by life, scraping by with nothing. They were the forgotten, the dismissed, the ones labeled “nobodies.” Their days were filled with hunger, struggle, and despair. Spiritually too, they were empty—poor in spirit, drained of hope. And yet this man, Jesus, looked upon them and declared: “The kingdom of heaven belongs to you.”
Imagine the shock. Could it be true? Could heaven really belong to those who owned nothing, to those the world counted as worthless? Surely many whispered within themselves, “Does this mean there is hope for me?”
But poverty here was not only material—it was spiritual. Many were destitute in soul, hollowed out by weariness, by the endless repetition of lifeless religion, by despair that dulled the heart. Yet isn’t this true even among us today—even within the church – a church full of rules, regulations, and prejudices that are revealed by the number of denominations among us who call ourselves believers? How often are we exhausted, sick of the “same old, same old,” wandering with little strength left in our spirit? Yet this blessing speaks to us as well. Scripture is living and timeless; Christ’s words cut across every generation.
Still, let us not forget: these blessings are not indiscriminately scattered across the earth. They are not treasures for those who reject Him, nor promises for those who will not walk as His disciples. They belong to those who follow Him—those who bend the knee and cling to His name. Only then does the kingdom open its gates.
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
3. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-10)
Notice the underlined words of the first four beatitudes. Rather negative are they not: poor, meek, mourn, hunger, thirst? Sounds like some of my days when I am down and out. But that all depends on how we interpret those words. Is it bad to be poor in spirit, meek, mourn, or hunger? What is Jesus saying?
Obviously poor in spirit is not lacking provision. It’s not lacking money or things. It’s lacking spiritual sensibility to survive our natural and spiritual world. It is truly a despair of the heart. In fact, it is more likely that being poor in spirit is exactly where we need to be to accept Christ and all He has to offer, regardless of what our position in Christ (or out) we may be. It never leaves us, nor should it. Otherwise, how would we know we need Him? We come to the point where we say, “I just can’t do this anymore.” We are right where we need to be. We are poor in spirit. You can be certain He will always be telling us how much we need Him. It’s a part of His redeeming love for us.
Who Are the Meek
Meekness is not something easily grasped. So I looked it up (of course I did). I found it mentioned four times in the ESV version of the Bible.
“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3 ESV
“But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. Psalms 37:11 ESV
“… but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity (fairness) for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Isaiah 11:4 ESV
“The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:19 ESV
This sounds good, but it doesn’t define being meek, so I searched the web. The Cambridge dictionary defines meekness as such: the quality of being quiet, gentle, and unwilling to argue or express your opinions. I’m fairly sure the world thinks this way; however, if this is so, Jesus was anything but meek. So I looked further.
I also found meekness defined as one of calm temper of mind, not easily provoked. This sounds a little better, but the best definition I found for meekness is found in the book of James.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:13-16
The Hebrew word for meek, “anav,” conveys a sense of dependence on God rather than a lack of assertiveness. This is the meekness of Jesus. He was totally dependent on His Father – and so should we be.
Where is there Comfort in Mourning
When we mourn, we grieve for someone who has died. It is often associated with bereavement. It implies great sadness, discomfort, and great loss. Morning is not comfortable at all. But the scriptures say “…they shall be comforted”.
How are we comforted? By friends, family, acquaintances, and sometimes even strangers. Sometimes yes, but the real answer lies in scripture again. There are those for whom we should mourn.
“I fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.” 2 Corinthians 12:21 ESV
But we Christians are comforted when we mourn. Death is an absolute. There is no going back and asking forgiveness, saying you’re sorry, or that you love them. However, being believers, we will see them again. We have a hope, a comfort, which non-believers do not have.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve (mourn) as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep”. 1 Thessalonians 5 13 – 15 ESV
Hunger and Thirst for Justice
When we open the newspaper or watch the world unfold on our TV screens, do we not cry out with longing—hungering and thirsting—for justice? Indeed, we do. Yet we must understand: true justice does not descend from human courts or political systems, but only from above, from the hand of God Himself.
The world speaks of fairness, compromise, and what it calls “satisfaction,” as though these were noble substitutes. But in truth, they are often enemies of justice, for justice is not a matter of degrees, nor can it be negotiated. Justice is absolute, pure, and unwavering—rooted in the eternal character of God.
Fairness bends; compromise yields, but justice stands immovable. Darkness hides in the folds of compromise, and as followers of Christ, we must have no fellowship with it—not even the faintest shadow. To tolerate it is to betray the light. True justice admits no rival, for it is bound to the holiness of God Himself.
Justice may not always come swiftly, nor immediately set right the wrongs we endure. Yet we hold fast to a greater promise: “for they shall be filled.” Every injustice in this world will one day meet its end; its time is limited, and its power fleeting. But righteousness will endure, for Christ Himself is our Advocate. From His judgment true justice will flow, and from His reign righteousness will prevail forever.
Merciful, Clean of Heat, and being Peacemakers
Numbers five, six, and seven of the Beatitudes are traits of the Kingdom.
The Merciful
To be merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” is to embody one of the two great commandments. Mercy is not optional—it is the overflow of a heart aligned with God. Jesus echoed this truth when He said:
“Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 ESV
This principle resonates so deeply that even unbelievers recognize its truth. Mercy is universal, and yet it is divine. To show mercy is to reflect the very heart of God, and in return, we are promised His mercy.
The Pure in Heart
To be pure in heart is to reveal not merely the works of Jesus, but His very nature. Purity is not about actions, power, or outward appearance—it is about being a true child of God. It is the life untouched by worldly corruption, unshaken by deceit, unclouded by the sickness of spirit. By human strength, such purity is impossible; but by God’s Spirit, it is given. The Word calls us into this life.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 ESV
And David prayed:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 ESV
God Himself answers with His eternal promise:
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.” Ezekiel 36:25–27 ESV
Here lies the beauty of the Beatitudes: mercy given and received, purity granted by God, and the very Spirit of Christ shaping our hearts into His likeness.
The Peacemakers
In the world, we have troublemakers and peacemakers. Some give, and those who take. Some are selfless, and some are selfish. But who are the peacemakers? Those who get nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize?
For many of us, peace is based on our own ignorance. We look at ourselves and are content with what we have done and where we are in life, and call this peace. We are ignorant of the realities of life because this peace we feel is temporary, if we have any at all. True peace can only come when you are right with God.
I very easily recall a time in my life when all h—l was breaking loose. Job, family, finances, and everyone around me seem to be aggressive, attacking me. Then out of nowhere, for no reason, I didn’t pray or do any “holy” thing, but I received so much peace I literally wanted to dance and jump for joy. I didn’t understand why, but it was the way I felt. Of course, I remembered.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:7-9 ESV
Suddenly, all was right with the world. I knew, in my spirit, that God was in control of the world, the devil, and the flesh – me.
This doesn’t make me a peacemaker; it means I received from the only peacemaker, Jesus Christ. Is He not called “Prince of Peace”? I pray often for people to have peace, and then I pray in the Holy Ghost, a perfect prayer that will bring this peace, to whomever in its due time, because in the Holy Spirit I can only pray His will.
Persecution
For the last blessing we read; Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We all want this “Blessing” thing, but are we willing to go through the persecution to get there? Looking closely at the scripture, we see that this persecution is for “justice’s sake”, that is, for His sake. If we endure and overcome, even if it’s by death, we know our reward awaits us.
The Lost
We easily deduce that there is persecution in this world that is not “for justice’s sake”. We see non-believers and heathens being persecuted. Many are those who have refused to accept what Jesus did for them on the cross. What are we to do?
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15 ESV
“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;” 1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Sadly, some will not be helped, for they are unwilling to believe. We do see them and are criticized for our recognition, as though we have no understanding. They tell us, “The Bible says, ‘do not judge. Of course, this is not true; we should judge, but we are not the ones who pass judgment.
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24 ESV
These are the lost. We grieve for these souls and remember that our Savior died for them, and He also grieves.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 ESV
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 ESV
Whatever we see, whatever we surmise, whatever we may know, this judgment is not ours. Ours is to obey as it is written:
:…But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44 ESV
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV
Conclusion
I often speak of having the “mind of Christ”. The beatitudes are the mind of Christ. They are not a soft, nice, easy read as we think when we first read them. Meditate on them, and they are like the dynamite of the Holy Spirit, exploding into the mind of our spiritual lives. Likewise,e they can only be attained correctly and, with understanding, through the ever-present power of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed.
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
