Poor. Mourning. Meek. Hungry. Thirsty.
What a sad state to be in. Or is it? The description is not finished.
Merciful. Pure. Peaceful.
Such qualities we admire and associate with love. And then there is the conclusion.
Persecuted.
According to Christ, these words describe a person who is blessed, composing what we know as the beatitudes in Matthew 5.
How can all of these characteristics be connected? Can we describe ourselves this way – or perhaps more importantly – do we want to?
The wisdom of Christ our Lord is often nestled in beautiful paradoxes, and that is exactly what is happening in this portion of His Sermon on the Mount.
In the human tradition we are told to be wealthy, to be independent, to be happy, to be proud, to be satiated. Yet if we admit it, rather than fulfill us, this pursuit empties us. Rather than free us, this traps us in insecurity. Rather than refresh us, this exhausts.
As I’ve been studying Jesus’ words a common thread appears to exist between His beatitudes, humility. Humility before God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth…
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God…
Jesus asserts that the blessed are those in spiritual dependency (poor). Those honest about their wrongdoing (mourning). Those thoughtful and righteous in their actions (meek), and always yearning for truth (hungry and thirsty). Why? All of this leads us to God Himself. A place of rest and peace.
The blessed are humble, satisfied in the infinite majesty of their Creator and made complete in His love.
God treasures those who are humble before Him. Share on XThe beatitudes are a road filled with trust, loving sacrifice, and growth, as His Will brings about hearts of mercy, purity, and peace. In the face of affliction and scoffing (persecution), joy remains in the promise of heaven.
The beauty of the beatitudes also stems from the glory of the cross. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, saw the broken and rebellious state of every man and woman, and took the wrath each one deserved.
He was poor in nature, mourning over mankind’s disobedience, gentle and discerning in His teaching, and eager to honor His Father in righteousness. He looked upon every soul with mercy as the nails dug into his hands and feet, His own life pure from sin. His breath was taken by persecution, but His heart alive with joy in the resurrection.
Jesus was the beatitudes. He will be blessed for eternity.
We look His extraordinary demonstration of sacrifice, and amazing enough it is the means for us to become blessed.
When we look at the cross, it becomes clear what it means to be blessed.
By trusting in Christ, the beatitudes become real. We receive the ability to receive blessing as we welcome salvation and the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
I’ve been drawn to the piece by Hillsong, called Touch the Sky. It sings of the radical way of God’s Kingdom, the antithesis to the world.
“I touch the sky… when my knees hit the ground. I found my life… when I laid it down.”
How hard it was for me to wrap my mind around this! May Jesus guide you in this wonderful truth.
P.S. I also recommend this sermon by John Piper.
You can get a printable version of the Beatitudes infographic in our freebie library by signing up for the newsletter below!
Your description of Jesus being the beatitudes on the cross is amazing and something I need to reread and ponder to take fully in. Thank you for this reminder that these qualities are God’s desire for us, even as they contradict our widely view of what it means to be blessed.
It is a lot to take in for sure. The more we see what God asks of us, the more we see who Christ is and what He accomplished. His grace and the Holy Spirit are sufficient to change us in the most blessed way!
May we fall again and again into the blessed arms of Christ. Thank you for the encouragement.
Amen! Thank you for reading, Bailey. 🙂
Amen I confess and declare the Lord Jesus Christ. JESUS IS LORD. JESUS IS GOD. THE MESSIAH. THE BEGINNING AND THE END. THE ALMIGHTY. THE ALPHA AND OMEGA. AMEN I CONFESS AND DECLARE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! JESUS is my Lord and saviour.
So many good nuggets here…I’m going to be coming back and rereading this one quite a few times I think!
Thank you Liz – I agree. There is so much to glean from the beatitudes and Christ’s amazing example. Thank you for stopping by, friend!
Is the pin a printable? I would love to have the breakdown on my mirror!
I added a printable version of the pin to the subscriber library today! Thank you for the suggestion, Shannon – we do need reminders of these precious pieces of truth. 🙂 If you haven’t already, sign up for the newsletter and you will get access.
I. Have. Sign. Up. For. The. TRUTH
Newsletters. Thank. You
I have also Signed up for the truth
Oh Dani
I have read the bible over and over get myself into such a state as its the first time i have truly read about the beatitudes
How long does it take before i can truly take it all in
I pray every time i start my lesson please Lord help me to understand
Love your emails thankyou for sharing
Soo many things going wrong in my friends and family pray and pray nothings changing
What am i doing that is soo wrong
????
Don’t get discouraged Maureen – getting to know God’s Word takes time! Going to email you a longer response. 🙂
Thank you! I really enjoyed reading this 🙂
The beatitudes are such
a source of encouragement.
I’m reading it again and again.
Thanks.
Enjoyed the graphics and the biblical messages conveyed.
Wow, I am studying the Beatitudes, at the moment, and found this on Pin, your interpretation is beautiful ❤️❤️ I will be printing this out as my front sheet, thank you so much, God bless you ????????