LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 5:3-10. The Beatitudes or Happiness According to Jesus. Because of the space these verses would take, I ask you to turn to your Bible and read them there. I am going to take today to use a chart in the David Jeremiah Study Bible as a self-evaluation regarding the characteristics Jesus said describe the inner joy that can be experienced by those who would follow Him. He said those who follow Him and live this way will be blessed. This certainly runs contrary to what many believe about happiness.

5:3 The poor in spirit.               The humble. Those with destitute hearts sense their spiritual need and seek after God (Ps. 34:18; 51:17). They have the advantage – and great joy – of being able to cry out to God for help.

5:4 Those who mourn.             The hurting. The one who weeps over the pains of life can be confident of God’s healing and comfort. The Greek word translated comforted is also used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In our sadness, the Holy spirit will move us to joy.

5:5 The meek.                              The harnessed. Meekness is not weakness but power under control. It implies a humble acceptance of one’s lowly position before God. By trusting in Him, the meek will inherit the blessings of God’s fulfilled promises.

5:6 Those who hunger and     The hungry. These people seek justice and holiness, and most importantly, God in whose presence “is fulness of joy” (Ps. 16:11). [This is the foundational requirement for all godly living!]                                                                                                                          

thirst for righteousness.         

5:7 The merciful.                        The helpers. For Christians, mercy is a Spirit-led ability to manifest practical, compassionate, and cheerful love toward those suffering. The merciful will obtain mercy and find true happiness in being merciful to others. [Want to make suffering less by bringing people to Jesus.]

5:8 The pure in heart.               The holy. These people have guileless motives, holy thoughts, and a clean conscience. In Scripture, those who are most holy are also the most joyful. [Delivered from sin’s power by God’s grace; striving to please God, glorify Him, and be like Him.]

5:9 The peacemakers.              The healers. The word translated peacemakers comes from a verb meaning to “join together”. It pictures two opposing forces that are now being reconciled (5:44, 45). Peacemakers experience joy and excitement as they help others reconcile with God and with one another. [Peacemakers have peace with God through the cross and strive to be a witness by their lives.]

5:10 The persecuted.                The harassed. Persecution is suffering wrongfully – being punished for being righteous. Although suffering is never fun, those who remain faithful through it are blessed to be identified with Christ. [Refusing to compromise with the world will bring persecution.]

Notice that being “poor in spirit” leads one “to mourn” which leads one “to be meek” and so on. The Beatitudes are God’s principles of righteousness by which all Believers must live; they must live them through faith in Jesus Christ.

How did you do? I find myself to be a work in progress in living these principles. Walk each day on the narrow way trusting the Holy Spirit is helping you walk in the principles of God’s kingdom.