My Encounter with the Beatitudes

This week I spent a good deal of time taking a deep look at The Beatitudes, one of Jesus' most remembered teachings, from Matthew 5. First, I'll comment on the deeper meaning I found in the passage itself and then leave you with the charge that God gave me at the end of my time studying this scripture.

Matthew 5:1-12

The Sermon on the Mount

¹Seeing the crowds,^(A) he went up on the mountain, and when he^(B) sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

²And^(C) he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
^3(D) "Blessed are^(E) the poor in spirit, for^(F) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴"Blessed are^(G) those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
⁵"Blessed are the^(H) meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
⁶"Blessed are those who hunger and^(I) thirst^(J) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
⁷"Blessed are^(K) the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
⁸"Blessed are^(L) the pure in heart, for^(M) they shall see God.
⁹"Blessed are^(N) the peacemakers, for^(O) they shall be called^(P) sons^[a] of God.
^10(Q) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for^(R) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
^11(S) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely^(T) on my account. ^12(U) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for^(V) so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

v3 - "poor in spirit" - those who recognize their need for God
v4 - Jesus came to comfort those who mourn, who have repented and are looking for a new beginning
v5 - Meek = recognizing our need for God through humility
v6 - when we are searching for God to fill us, He will fill us beyond satisfaction
v7 - when we show mercy to others, God is inclined to show mercy to us
v8 - purity of heart as such that we come to God with a child-like faith, desiring more of Him and not questioning His motives but trusting that He has our best interest in mind
v9 - we are called to minister the peace and love of the gospel to the world, bringing healing to those who need it
v10 - withstanding persecution brings about blessing; it is basically a guarantee that we will not be liked by those around us because of the message that we bring

Jesus has called me to:

• recognize my need for Him
• ask Him for repentance and find comfort in His salvation
• come to Him humbly adn seek His face to be fulfilled
• show His mercy to those around me
• approach Him with the heart of a child, putting off all my doubts and worries to allow Him to cleanse me of my impurities
• bring the peace of His gospel to the world with my life as a witness to His glory
• and withstand persecution for the sake of His name, knowing that ultimately He will be glorified and bless me in return.