In the Sermon on the Mount, we find a section of scripture maybe best known as the Beatitudes. These are qualities that mark things men often look upon with derision and dismissiveness. You see, they aren’t statements about fame, fortune, or power. Instead of men’s values, Jesus exalts that of humility, mercy, and faithfulness even in the face of difficult or dire circumstances. Let’s examine these and take notice of the themes that seem to exist among these values, and see how each one should be a part of our core values as well.
Firstly, we see Jesus exalt humbleness both toward God and also to men. [Mat 5:3-5 NKJV] 3 “Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed [are] those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed [are] the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. As we consider these who are blessed, notice that the poor is a spiritual kind of poverty and reflects the need on our part to receive God’s grace and mercy, for it is only by those elements flowing from God that we can obtain such as the kingdom of heaven (Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17). We also see though that the broken heart and the heart held in control (meekness) are also blessed in their needs and shall receive by His providential care. Further, the insatiable need for righteousness is what God wants us to be seeking. It is from this humility that we begin to see things as God sees them concerning sin, our obedience to Him, and our need to honor him rather than ourselves. It is from humility that we are led to repentance and a reliance upon God.
We also see here in these blessings that of externally extending ourselves toward our fellow man, as well as our God. Notice, [Mat 5:7-9 NKJV] 7 Blessed [are] the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed [are] the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed [are] the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” This section is somewhat like the “Golden Rule” (Matt 7:12) for it is mercy extended and received (Eph 4:32), likewise, we see purity toward God return by way of His eternal presence (Jas 4:8), and to the peacemakers, the very Son of God who is the peace eternal (2 Cor. 5:18-19), declares that they too shall be God’s children. Are you beginning to see how the beatitudes demonstrate a different kind of math than what man typically does?
So finally, we come to the section that gets hard. Doing the really hard things that most will peer upon and would choose to not do, comes with blessing as well. “[Mat 5:10-12 NKJV] 10 Blessed [are] those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great [is] your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Endure persecutions because you were seeking righteousness – for the sake of… If we are living like we should in purity, exhibiting the things listed in the earlier beatitudes, we will see persecutions for these are things that the sinful world will not tolerate. In fact, Peter’s First Epistle has the theme as we have been studying that we must suffer with/for a purpose (1 Peter 4:13-16). When the Apostles were persecuted we see them rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to receive persecution (Acts 5:40-41). When we are shaping our lives around Him, being led in truth, sanctified and set apart through the Son, there will be no shortage of struggles, hardships, and persecutions (2 Tim 3:12). So let us speak the truth in love, and live the beatitudes in our life because our reward and longing do not dwell here. If you listen to Dave Ramsey, the financial advisor, you will hear him tell people, “If you will live like no one else, later you can live and give like no one else”. I think that this applies in a spiritual way as well. Jesus encouraged those who heard Him to take heart in their struggles and lean into these qualities with an eye on a prize eternal.
I think we see this exemplified in the life of the Apostle Paul. He endured suffering at the hands of men, faced natural disasters (such as being shipwrecked multiple times—2 Cor. 11:25), and bore what many believe was a physical malady. Yet, in all these trials, Paul declared, “[2 Cor. 12:9-10 NKJV] 9 And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul’s attitude reflects the heart of the Beatitudes, demonstrating how God’s values often stand in opposition to worldly expectations. Toward the end of his life, Paul could confidently say, “[2 Tim. 4:7-8 NKJV] 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” His life serves as an example that despite hardships, those who live by faith and hold fast to God’s promises.