The Beatitudes

THE BEATITUDES In (Matthew 5:1-11) The Text says: (Now when He saw the crowds ,He went up on a mountain side and sat down. His disciples come to Him ,and began to teach them saying: 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, persecute you and falsely say all kind of evil against you, because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.)                                                                                                                                                            * 1-- These verses called the Beatitudes, from the Latin word meaning (blessing). They describe what it means to be a Christ's follower, give standards of conduct, and contrast kingdom values with worldly values or what God will give them with what they expect from the world. They contrast fake piety with true humility. They also show how Old Testament expectations are fulfilled in God's kingdom.                                        *2-- The Beatitudes can be understood in at least four ways:
        1- They are a code of ethics for the disciples and standard of conduct for all believers.                                   2- They contrast kingdom values(what is eternal) with world values(what is temporary).                                 3- They contrast the superficial “faith” of Pharisees with real faith Christ wants.                                         4- They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom. These Beatitudes are not multiple choice-pick what you like and leave the rest. They must be taken as a whole. They describe what we should be like as Christ followers.                                                                                               *3-- Each Beatitude tells how to be blessed which is means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God's kingdom. The Beatitudes don't promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. To Jesus “blessed” means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus, no matter what the cost.
*4-- Jesus began His sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God's way of living usually contradicts the world's. IF you want to live for God you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store fo ryou.

*5-- Jesus said to rejoice when we're persecuted. Persecution can be good because:
                 1.It takes our eyes off earthly rewards.
                 2.It strips away superficial belief.
                 3.It strengthens the faith of those who endure.

Our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow. We can be comforted to know that God's greatest prophets were persecuted (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). The fact we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful, faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future God will reward the faithful by receiving them into his eternal kingdom where there is no more persecution.