The Beatitudes

We have already seen how faith, hope, and love are the motivation and ingredients of every interaction. We will now see that there are ten kinds of interactions. Faith, hope, and love is Why. The Beatitudes is What.

Christ’s most famous sermon is the Sermon on the Mount. It expounds the law of the kingdom of heaven. It tells us the characteristics of those growing in spiritual perfection. It is the first sermon in the first book of the New Testament, and it opens with a section commonly called, The Beatitudes (Latin for happy or blessed). The ten Beatitudes are the template, the master pattern, which all the other spiritual patterns in the Bible copy in whole or in part.

1) And seeing the multitudes, he [Jesus] went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

2) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

3) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

4) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

5) Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

6) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

7) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

8) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

9) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness‘ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you 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.

10) You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor with what shall it be salted? it is from that time forward good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:1-16)

In this short passage you have just read the entire Bible in miniature. They are like the table of contents for the great Book. Like a tree sprouting from a seed, there are no additional truths to be expressed, merely applications and explanations of what is already present in these beautiful sayings. These are the ABC’s from which words, sentences, and entire libraries are constructed. They are the musical scale upon which every song and concert is based. They are the full spectrum of colors from which all other colors are mixed and from which the rainbow ascends to span the heavens.

The Beatitudes are the spiral staircase leading up to the land of light and glory which may be climbed by each inhabitant of this world of evil and chaos. The people of any religion—or no religion—who love the spiritual truths in the ten blessings are the salt of the earth preserving it from self-destruction. Anyone at any level seeking the God of the Beatitudes makes Him happy and proud. All that is eternally good and lovely and perfect finds its roots in one or more of the Beatitudes, while anything outside of the beautiful blessings always leads to death.

The Beatitudes are as universal as faith, hope, and love, because they are as flower to root. Faith, hope, and love spring forth from the mysterious depths of the heart to blossom in one or more of the beautiful truths.

How do we know that the Beatitudes are the universal, spiritual ingredients of eternity? Because Jesus told us so at the end of the sermon.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

“These sayings” are the Beatitudes and their explanations in the Sermon on the Mount. To keep them is to spiritually grow. To ignore them is to fall. The Beatitudes are the standard of true success.

The Beatitudes are like titles for each of the mini-chapters in the sermon. As we will see in the next chapter, each section simply expands its corresponding blessing. Through a parable, Christ declares that there is no happiness, no wisdom, no security, no life outside the Beatitudes. Every verse, every story, every psalm and proverb reinforce and expound this basic truth.

The Beatitudes are a complete, progressive pattern within themselves. There is a common theme in the first four Beatitudes: poor, mourn, meek, hungry. All four types of conditions appear weak. They seem to lack something: rich spirituality, happiness, confidence, food. Every one of these people are in some way inadequate.

However, when we continue reading about the merciful, pure, peacemaker, and persecuted, we see giving, purity, teaching, and steadfastness. The weak have grown stronger.

This concept of growth is reinforced when we notice that the first five blessings do not mention God, but the last three do. From a condition of spiritual emptiness a person may grow to the point where they would rather die than commit evil against God or others. Growing from a focus on self to a focus on others and God is the theme of the Beatitudes, the theme of the everlasting universe.

Another way of looking at the Beatitudes is like a spiral staircase. God’s revelation of love comes all the way down to reach us. Jesus sat down at the bottom of the stairs and taught us the essence of life. As we respond to that love, we spiritually ascend with Him closer to heaven. Each step transforms and enlarges our capacity to experience God. Then, greater and deeper revelations of the Infinite One descend to us. Finally, in heaven itself, we will continue approaching closer and still closer to God throughout the immortal ages. The never failing key is that each upward step is started by the revelation of an attribute of God, which empowers our advance, if we choose it.

Spiritual growth in the blessings is not only general, but specific and sequential.

God’s LOVE shining to those in darkness begins the process. Then the poor in spirit feel their NEED to change from selfishness and evil. They WANT to change so desperately they mourn for God’s help. The meek eagerly CHOOSE to change their methods and goals for life. Like a newborn baby, they are hungry to RECEIVE God’s power so they can mercifully SERVE others and give to them, rather than take. Not content with just a human focus, the pure BOND with God, which makes them more like Him. This compels them to INFLUENCE others to make peace with God. Though often persecuted in response, and called upon to SACRIFICE everything, the spiritual person is kept safely in Christ. This good growth in the human heart shows that God is GOOD.

Complete, orderly, powerful, the Beatitudes lack only a version in the perfect language of heaven. To compensate for this loss in the translation, we have been given a whole Bible full of Beatitude patterns in a multitude of illustrations. As we make spiritual connections we gain heaven’s understanding.

We also gain insight into things we already know, but are not quite able to put into words or figure out the formula. That is, the Beatitudes make common sense.

Let’s say little Johnny hits his sister. We send him to his room until he learns his lesson. What lesson do we want him to learn? First, we assume that we as parents have already provided a good environment that is worth rejoining. (love) We expect that as he sits in his room he will miss that happy environment and figure out that he ruined it by hitting his sister and that he needs to change his behavior. (poor in spirit)

We don’t want Johnny to express regret merely because he might miss supper, but because he is sincerely sorry for hurting his sister. (mourn) We want him to truly want to do better and make a firm decision that he will not hit again. (meek) If he makes that decision, we give him all the help and encouragement he needs to follow through with his repentance. (hungry) We then watch for signs that he is playing happily with his sister and treating her nicely. (merciful)

As Johnny grows older we counsel, train, and mentor him to extend his educated attitude to all areas of life so that he will be a productive worker, loving husband and father, etc…. (pure) We are proud that as he grows he stands for what is good and right and tries to influence others to be better people and citizens. (peacemaker) When he stays true to noble principle even when tempted and ridiculed, we feel that he has reached the pinnacle of moral development. (persecuted)

This story can be rewritten in many ways to include all ages, and to include religious as well as non-religious people. The steps of the Beatitudes are in humanity’s spiritual DNA. Like faith, hope, and love, we know this in our heart of hearts.

The Principle column is a one word summary of the row it is in.

The LOVE row emphasizes God’s love towards humanity. He takes the first step towards connecting with us, or creating us, or teaching us. The stories tell us that He offers His love as a free gift or He just does some loving thing for the betterment of humanity.

The LAW row states a requirement, raises a standard, points out what is wrong, or somehow causes the reader to make a distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, holy and unholy. It is not uncommon for seemingly harsh language or crude illustrations to be used, as if talking to immature children.

The GRACE row is the complement to the law row. Where the law causes guilt and loss of hope, grace revives, comforts, and offers help. The law is cold and bad news to the sinner. Grace is warm and good news.

The COMMIT row is about decision and dedication. This is the step where conversion takes place and the life direction is reversed. Things or people are joined together in unity and individuals are consecrated to special positions.

The FAITH row is usually the easiest to spot. It often involves food, eating, or plants. They illustrate nourishing and energizing a person or relationship.

The WORKS row is the natural outgrowth of the faith row. Energy in leads to work out. This row emphasizes human work and service, and because everyone works, circles of sharing are often seen, such as giving and receiving, forgiving and forgiven.

The COMMUNE row steps things up from the human to the divine, from the creation to the Creator. Growth, improvement, and increasing intimacy are the themes. Commune is complementary to commit, because commitment is strengthened and refined.

The JUSTICE row is the enacting and enforcing of proportional consequences for good or evil actions. It is also the effort to influence or persuade someone to do right because there are consequences.

The MERCY row is the complement to justice. It protects and delivers the good from the evil. Mercy is used here in the sense of clemency or amnesty, rather than human sharing as in the earlier Beatitude.

The GLORY row complements the LOVE row as beginning and end, start and finish. The theme is that ultimate good results to both God and people. This divine/human duality is often seen.

The truths of the Beatitudes are everywhere in the Scriptures. This chapter uses some of the texts that state the principle more explicitly.

Love. Jesus opened His mouth and taught them.

Love often starts in the smallest, most seemingly insignificant ways. What if Jesus never spoke truth? What if He ignored us and abandoned this planet to evil? The fact that there is even a redemption process available to us selfish beings is a demonstration of God’s unselfish, forgiving love that reaches out to us before we even have a thought of reaching out to Him. “God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the atonement for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) The plan of redemption, which is outlined in the Beatitudes, was conceived in the heart of the Father before we were born. Before we made our first selfish choice, God had a way prepared to save us.

Need. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The poor in spirit do not feel their poverty on their own. Without the gentle, honest influence of God’s Spirit upon our heart we cannot even recognize our spiritual poverty. Christ said, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5) Without God dwelling in us, we are all poor in spirit. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6) “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." (Romans 7:18-19)

Want. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

The Chief Physician lets the terrible significance of our condition sink in, not to cause needless pain, but to let us realize the pain we are already suffering and inflicting on others. “The goodness of God leads you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4) And repentance leads to eternal life. Paul wrote, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner... For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it worked in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” (2 Corinthians 7:9-11) There is no comfort quite so comforting as a conscience made clean by repentance.

Choose. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Repenting from the negative must be followed by commitment to the positive, otherwise the problem repeats and eternity is endangered. “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psalms 25:9; 37:11) “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Faith. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Faith—not merely a general conviction of truth, but a personal trust in Christ—is the channel through which the Spirit of God fills the meek to enable them to fulfill their commitment. Without power there is no performance, no life. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)

Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” “It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:27-29, 51, 63)

Serve. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

We all have a tendency to be impatient and cranky when hungry, but then more agreeable after a nice meal. In a similar manner this happens to us when we have been filled by one of God’s spiritual banquets. Imagine how kind and safe a world this would be if everyone was spiritually full every day!

“As you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise. For if you love them which love you, what thank have you for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you for sinners also do even the same. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-36)

Bond. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” “But know that the LORD has set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift you up the light of your countenance upon us.” (Psalms 46:10; 4:3-6)

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalms 24:3-5)

Influence. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

The pure become peacemakers because they want to invite the world to join the loving family of God. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beg you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:17-18)

It is not only the privilege of the Beatitude believer to be ambassadors for Christ, but it is also their duty to be watchmen against the dangers and temptations that threaten souls. There can be peace between the repentant sinner and God, but never between sin and God. “If the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” (Ezekiel 33:6-20)

Sacrifice. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness‘ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Persecution is often the unavoidable side effect of speaking truth. Jesus says to the loyal peacemakers, “If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates 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.” (John 15:18-21)

Good. Let your light shine before all, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.

“Seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by revealing of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus‘ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-7)

If you look at the full color rainbow chart (aka the Beatitude chart) on the website or e-book you will notice that the top and bottom rows are both white, and the second from the top and bottom are both red. They form a sort of visual sandwich above and below the other Beatitudes. I like using the rainbow to show the blessings because it brings out some important points.

Just as Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Auther and Finisher of our faith, so a rainbow begins and ends with white light. Put sunlight through a prism and it refracts into the spectrum of the rainbow. Put that rainbow through another prism and it is re-assembled into white light.

This is like God the Father on the throne shining through the Son who refracts the bright light into colors we can see more easily and that gives variety to life. All the forms of God’s goodness bless us, so we return gratitude in a variety of ways. This re-assembles the light and returns it to the Father. Thus a great circle of life and love is formed.

Also, the church, the body of Christ, is to be like a prism to the world so that His glorious colors can be seen. In the end, all people return thanksgiving and praise to God and the spectrum returns to its source.

Another cycle is brought to view in the red rows. Notice that the poor in spirit and the persecuted are given the same reward—the kingdom of heaven. However, that kingdom is given in two different ways. The poor in spirit receive the kingdom of grace, while the persecuted receive the kingdom of glory. From nothing to everything! The sinner overcomes and is transformed into a saint!

In Hebrew belief, seven is the perfect number, and eight is the number of overcoming. This is why I use the illustration of a spiral staircase. The spiral is completed with seven steps, but the next floor requires taking the eighth step, which is the first step of the next floor! We often look at perfection as the end, but it is really just the beginning of the next, greater level of perfection. Eternity is a constant, uninterrupted growing in God.

Sometimes, the Beatitudes are called, The seven blessings. Count them and you will see that there are eight, but no mistake was made. Seven beatitudes are needed for completeness, and the eighth points the way to the next spiral in the staircase. Therefore, seven, eight, and ten beatitudes are all correct countings of the blessed sayings.

Using earthly language, the Savior has given us a picture of heaven. From blessing to greater blessing, from glory to higher glory, from perfection to greater perfection, we will grow and learn and become more and more like Christ throughout eternity. The people who had lived in the dark shadow of the curse now ascend through the everlasting cycles of light and holiness! Where sin abounded grace does much more abound. All this by and through the love of God who refused to abandon His selfish children!