The Sermon on the Mount
Important Notes on the Beatitudes
Matthew 5
Important Notes on the Beatitudes
Matthew 5
Matthew 5 (New International Version)
1Now when he saw the crowds,
he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Commentary
1. Here we have the beginning of Jesus’ preaching ministry. At the end of Chapter 4, He began with the most import theme of His ministry, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”; and now He begins to teach us what is expected of the believers of the Kingdom of Heaven and their expected reward in seeking the Will of God in their lives (righteousness).
2- Verse 1 - The meaning of disciples- in Greek- ‘learner’. As I prepare this Bible study, as we discuss this Bible study, we are learning about Jesus, and we are a disciple. This was likely a large group of people and not just His immediate dedicated disciples. Not all of them were yet chosen.
2- Verse 2 - This is a teaching sermon, preaching is usually more focused on a topic.
3- The meaning of the words ‘Blessed are’. When we read this word in these verses, we can substitute and read- “Happy and Joyful in the Lord are “. This is an expression the Jews would be familiar with from the Old Testament: Psalms 1:1; 32:1-2; 34:8; 84:4-5 and about 60 other OT references (see third page for more examples). Blessedness comes from God, a state of inner Joy in the person who seeks the will of God in their lives. Jesus in here beginning to teach us God’s will by telling us our reward for understanding and seeking His will.
4- Verse 3-
“Poor in Spirit”- People poor in spirit does not mean they are sad, but
people who recognize: a- their
selfishness in their lives, b- the sin in their lives (our desires and
behaviors against God’s will), and 3- depend on God for His mercy and grace on
their lives. Look at the reward for
this- “The Kingdom!” This begins with
repenting, just as Jesus announced. This
is not a weakness, this repenting, it is our faith, our desire for a
relationship with God. An attitude of
unworthiness and humility is necessary for the presence of the Kingdom. We see “Kingdom” one more time in verse
10. Verse 3 and 10 are like bookends.
5- Verse 4
“those who mourn” These are the
people who are sorry and repentant for their sins.
6- Verse 5 meekness- Not a 21st Century, western world word. Meekness in the Greek means- gentle in dealing with others, unpretentious, self-controlled (a gift of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23), free of malice, vengeance, and hate. One can be meek but angry, angry at the right things. Jesus became angry with the Temple leaders- Matthew 23, He also threw out the money changer in the Temple cheating the people.
7- Verse 6- In Matthew, he always uses the word Righteousness in terms of seeking and living in God’s will. In doing so, we will be filled (with the Kingdom).
6- Verse 5 meekness- Not a 21st Century, western world word. Meekness in the Greek means- gentle in dealing with others, unpretentious, self-controlled (a gift of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23), free of malice, vengeance, and hate. One can be meek but angry, angry at the right things. Jesus became angry with the Temple leaders- Matthew 23, He also threw out the money changer in the Temple cheating the people.
7- Verse 6- In Matthew, he always uses the word Righteousness in terms of seeking and living in God’s will. In doing so, we will be filled (with the Kingdom).
8- Verse 7
“merciful” being forgiving,
compassionate towards others in all situation.
Do this and we receive mercy from God.
9- Verse 8 “pure in heart” - When we are devoted to the Will of God, then
we are seeking pureness in our heart.
10 Verse 9- “peacemakers” Jesus was the Son of God, He sought with His teaching and behaviors to make peace with people around Him and between people. In seeking to be at peace with people around us and seeking peace between our neighbors, we too can be a ‘son of God’.
10 Verse 9- “peacemakers” Jesus was the Son of God, He sought with His teaching and behaviors to make peace with people around Him and between people. In seeking to be at peace with people around us and seeking peace between our neighbors, we too can be a ‘son of God’.
11 Verse 10
People around the world hate Christians because Jesus sought peace
through living in the Will of God and not in living in what individuals
selfishly consider what they think is righteous.
In seeking the Kingdom, obedience to God’s will, living with “Thy will be done” in your heart, and understanding we will be persecuted because of this Jesus like behavior, we will feel God’s Kingdom and we too shall rise into that Kingdom upon our earthly death.
Thanks be to God.
In seeking the Kingdom, obedience to God’s will, living with “Thy will be done” in your heart, and understanding we will be persecuted because of this Jesus like behavior, we will feel God’s Kingdom and we too shall rise into that Kingdom upon our earthly death.
Thanks be to God.
How Jesus Taught
Jesus was a superb teacher. He took what was familiar to His audience and used it to define His ministry. In seeking to understand His words for the people of His day, we find greater meaning of His words for our lives today.·
·
Psalm 1:1 NIV
[BOOK I]
[Psalms 1-41] Blessed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of
mockers.
·
Psalm 32:1 NIV
[Of David. A
"maskil."] Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
·
Psalm 32:2 NIV
Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in
whose spirit is no deceit.
·
Psalm 33:12 NIV
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his
inheritance.
·
Psalm 34:8 NIV
Taste and see
that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
·
Psalm 40:4 NIV
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the
proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
·
Psalm 41:1 NIV
[For the
director of music. A psalm of David.] Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the
LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
·
Psalm 84:5 NIV
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on
pilgrimage.
·
Psalm 84:12 NIV
O LORD
Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
An Activity
Read these
Verses, twice
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Then What do you think is the meaning of:
Verse 3- poor in spirit
__________________________________________________________
Verse 4- those who morn
________________________________________________________
Verse 5- the meaning of ‘meek’
___________________________________________________
Verse 6 –
hunger and thirst for righteousness _________________________________________
Verse 7 merciful
______________________________________________________________
Verse 8 pure
in heart __________________________________________________________
Verse 9 -
peacemakers ______this one is easy _______________________________________
Verse 10 persecuted because of righteousness
________________________________________
What is righteousness ____________________________________________________________
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