Nine Blessings

Matthew 5:1-12 – And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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.

After Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, He began to preach and say, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus taught in the synagogues of Galilee and His fame grew throughout Syria. He healed the sick, diseased, and those possessed with devils. People from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Jordan followed Him.

As Jesus saw the multitudes, He went up into a mountain and taught His disciples as they came to Him. As He began, He gave nine ‘attributes’ of those that are blessed. In many circles, these nine attributes are commonly referred as the Beatitudes. The word Beatitude is Latin for blessings.

The Beatitudes represent the character traits/behaviors that one attains on earth to enter eternal life (the kingdom of heaven). Each statement represents personal attributes rather than something to be accomplished corporately as a church or group.

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Being poor in spirit represents areas of material and positional stature. One of the translated definitions from the original Greek word of poor is destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour.¹

Concerning money, Jesus said that people could not serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). We would hate the one and serve the other. When the rich young ruler came to Him and asked what he must do to obtain eternal life, He turned away from Jesus once he discovered he had to give up his riches. Jesus then said to His disciples that a rich man shall hardly enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:16-24). The poor in spirit would not allow physical wealth, position, or influence to affect their lives in such a manner.

Luke 6:24 – But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

For the poor, the Gospel was preached (Matthew 11:5; Luke 4:18, 7:22).

2. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those that mourn, cry out, and weep over the condition of their own souls and those among them. Solomon wrote that it was better to enter a house of mourning (death) than one of feasting, for it is the way of all men (Ecclesiastes 7:2). When a person is influenced or surrounded by a mournful setting, they consider their own lives and eternal state before the Lord. When a person is in a house of feasting, they are more concerned about enjoying the food in the company of friends and family. They are not considering the condition of their soul (Luke 6:25).

Not only are those that mourn considering their own soul condition, but those around them as well. When reading of patriarchs such as Moses, David, and Daniel, we would find them interceding before the Lord (in prayer and fasting) on behalf of their sin-stricken brethren.

Those whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life will be comforted in eternity (Revelation 21:4).

3. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. To be meek is the mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit.² It is further described as the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. The meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time (Hebrews 5:8).²

Those that are not meek will seek to establish their own position in the world; have their own way; and will strive with man instead of living gently with them (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

The meek will inherit the new earth that is to come (Revelation 21:1-7).

4. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Righteousness is considered as a state acceptable to God,³ living in a manner that would be entirely pleasing to Him.

Consider a time when you were hungry and thirsty. Depending on how long you had to wait, you would do almost anything to be satisfied. When Esau came home from a long day in the field, he was so hungry (he felt like he was going to die) that he sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob (Genesis 25:27-34).

When we have such a hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will be filled by the tree of life in the great city of God (Revelation 22:2, 14).

5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. To be merciful is to show compassion, pardon, show acts of favor.⁴ While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We are all deserving of God’s condemnation and eternal punishment because of our sinful nature, but God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die on our behalf, that those who believe in Him would not taste eternal death (John 3:16). Extending mercy does not always originate from a specific request. It is given because it is needed, and it is given out of compassion.

As we give mercy to others, we will also be shown mercy on the Last Day.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. When speaking with His disciples, Jesus explained a parable from Matthew 15:11, [n]ot that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Jesus explained that a man would be defiled if from out of the heart proceeded evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies (Matthew 15:17-20). Those that are pure in heart would not have these things found within their heart. They would be free from their defiling presence.

The pure in heart will see God (Revelation 21:3, 22:3-4).

7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. The peacemakers actively strive to make peace with their brethren through love. Even if the intended person(s) does not desire peace, it will not thwart the desires or actions of the peacemaker.

Romans 12:18 – If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Going back to the fourth blessing (Matthew 5:6), those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be persecuted for their efforts. When answering a question from Judas (not Iscariot), Jesus said:

John 15:18-21 – If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

After Jesus’ death and ascension into heaven, Peter and John later healed a man at the Beautiful gate of the temple (Acts 3:1-10). As the people saw it, Peter spoke unto the people, testifying of Jesus Christ. Then the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, and Peter testified further, being filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 4:1-18).

As the priests, captain of the temple, and the Sadducees acknowledged the miracle performed, they commanded Peter and John not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17-20). However Peter and John answered saying,

Acts 4:19-20 – But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

When striving for righteousness’ sake, you will be faced with many situations to silence your witness and work before the Lord. Will you harken unto men or God?

2 Timothy 3:12 – Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

9. 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.

After being further threatened, Peter and John were released without being punished (Acts 4:21). Peter, John, and the other apostles continued to teach, preach, and heal. The Spirit was accomplishing mighty miracles through them. Being filled with indignation, the high priest ordered the apostles to be placed in prison (Acts 5:17-18). While in prison, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and told them to go into the temple and speak all the words of this life (Acts 5:19-20). When they were found to be in the temple the next day, they were brought before the council and high priest.

After being questioned for disregarding their command to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus, the council gathered together to slay them. However, one in the council spoke on their behalf to not have the men slayed. The apostles were then beaten and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let go (Acts 5:33-40). As they departed, they were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ namesake (Acts 5:41).

As with the apostles, we too can be exceedingly glad when we are persecuted, reviled, and spoken evil of for Jesus’ sake, for great is our reward in heaven.

1 Peter 4:12-16 – Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

^{1- Poor: Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for pt?chos (Strong’s 4434)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 4 Feb 2012. http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4434&t=KJV}

^{2 – Meek: Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for praÿs (Strong’s 4239)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 4 Feb 2012. http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4239&t=KJV}

^{3 – Righteousness: Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for dikaiosyn? (Strong’s 1343)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 4 Feb 2012. http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1343&t=KJV}

^{4 – Mercy: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mercy}

^{Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/joecavazos}