The Proclaimer

The Beatitudes

Christ’s first recorded sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, begins with what is generally referred to as the beatitudes.  Each one of these paradoxical statements begins with the word “blessed” a term often translated “happy.”  In fact, the term “beatitude” comes from the Latin word beatus that means “happy.”  But our word “happy” is a word that comes from the word “happens,” suggesting that one’s happiness is dependent upon what happens in his life.  But the word “blessed” as used by Jesus infers more than a superficial happiness based upon fortunate circumstance.  For the word refers not so much to what we feel, but rather what God thinks of us. 

As we look at the beatitudes themselves it becomes immediately apparent that the nature of the kingdom of Christ is not physical, but spiritual and that the blessedness of which Christ speaks is also spiritual.  Jesus speaks in a language the world does not understand.  How can the poor, or the hungry and thirsty, or the persecuted be blessed or happy?  The blessedness of which Christ speaks is the very opposite of the world’s happiness.  In fact, those of the world would not be happy in the kingdom of God even if they were in it.

The beatitudes are not primarily promises made by God to kingdom citizens, but are a description of the kingdom citizen himself.  In giving these descriptions Jesus does not refer to eight different classes of people, but describes the one who possesses all of the qualities as being a citizen of the kingdom.  As we look at this description it becomes apparent that those who have acquired these qualities as kingdom citizens have, in reality, become like the King, for it is Jesus that is the supreme example of each of these qualities:

Jesus exemplified poverty of spirit as He “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant . . . he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:7, 8).  And while He had no sin, He was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3) for he mourned over the spiritual sickness of the human race.  Jesus was “meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29) and although “in all points tempted as we are” He was “without sin” (Heb. 4:15) and therefore righteous in God’s sight (1 John 2:1).  Because of this He understands the human predicament and is merciful towards us (Heb. 4:16).  As we strive to be like Him we purify ourselves “even as he is pure” (1John 3:3).  As the “Prince of peace” ( Isaiah 9”6) Jesus offers not the peace the world gives, but peace which is a result of spiritual fullness and companionship with God.  Truly He suffered for righteousness sake, “leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).

In the beatitudes Jesus is telling the world that although His followers may be considered by others to be most wretched and unfortunate, and that while they themselves are by no means always filled with optimism regarding their condition, in the sight of heaven and by the standards of the kingdom, they are happy indeed; yes blessed.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).

                                                                                         -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer