1
What are the Beattitudes?
1.1
The Beattitudes are plain, simple statements of truth and not
promises of reward.
Jesus
does not give us gifts in order to make us happy. However, He
creates conditions within us which enable us to find happiness
at all times, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Take Matthew 5:3 as an example: “Blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus
does not say “if” a person was “poor in spirit,”
He would give him His kingdom to make him happy. Instead, we
read that the poor in spirit are happy or blessed “for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus takes a person
and moulds in him a character that radiates the joy of the Lord
regardless of outward circumstances.
1.2
The beatitudes describe seven different traits of excellent
Christian character.
A
Christian is a subject of God’s kingdom. As His subjects,
Christ the King desires of us, His followers, to model after
a certain godly character. The beatitudes are a standard of
conduct for Christians. This standard is marked by seven key
characteristics: being poor in spirit, mournful, meek, righteous,
merciful, pure in heart and peace-loving. Though different,
these traits are mutually dependent. For example, if a person
is meek, he also needs to be merciful; if he is merciful, he
has to be pure in heart too.
2
What do the Beattitudes teach?
2.1
The beatitudes teach Christ’s kingdom doctrines.
The
multitudes in Jesus’ day, for the lack of knowledge, degraded
and materialised the teachings of the coming kingdom. They viewed
it to be an unending banquet where they could eat and make merry.
The more religious group perceived the coming kingdom as a political
revolution which would overthrow the hated Romans. The beatitudes,
and the Sermon on the Mount as a whole, were a flat contradiction
of both these misconceptions. Jesus teaches that the kingdom
of God is a spiritual realm which exists in this world, but
does not belong to it. The kingdom of heaven is to be found
wherever the laws of heaven rule in the hearts of men. When
Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven, He is speaking as one
who has tested its conditions, and has mastered its laws; and
thus, would now lead men into the blessed experience of God’s
kingdom.
2.2
The Beatitudes teach Christ’s doctrine of happiness or
blessedness.
The
beatitudes contrast the values of the world. Who are the happy
people? The world would exclaim, “The rich, famous, powerful
and those living in ease and luxury.” If carnal man could
draw up a list of beatitudes, they would go something like this:
“Blessed are the rich, the famous, the cultured, those
of noble birth….” But not Christ! Men look at outward
appearances and circumstances; Christ looks at character. Happiness
is not dependent on what we have but by what we are. Happiness
or God’s approval, as defined by the beatitudes, is never
determined by an outward condition, but by the inward condition
of our spirit.
3
What
are the benefits of studying and applying the teachings of the
Beattitudes?
3.1
By having a clear understanding of what perfect Christian character
is, we will be able to see where our character stands.
3.2
By studying the kingdom code of conduct Christ has instituted,
we will be able to evaluate how far short we have fallen.
3.3
By appreciating the beatitudes, we will be able to picture ourselves
as Christ intended us to be.
3.4
By walking in step with the Holy Spirit, we can be challenged
to make some progress toward bridging the gap between what we
are and what we ought to become.