“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
In my newest book release, The Humble Life, we study this beloved section of Scripture called The Beatitudes which has been a comfort and consolation to countless believers through the centuries and for good reason. This teaching from Jesus resonates with every individual because it offers more than temporary hope…it details in beautiful imagery the blessings that will be bestowed upon God’s children throughout eternity.
Jesus is our compassionate Shepherd
Here we read that Jesus is standing on a mountainside surveying those who have followed him then he sits down to teach his disciples and the masses. His physical posture of walking to a high place and then settling down to a sitting position before teaching implies he is making himself comfortable. He isn’t in a hurry. He is, however, eager to impart encouragement, hope, and eternal perspective to everyone in attendance. We can imagine him gazing out to all those who are seated below him and is moved to compassion by their needs…spiritual, physical, and emotional. Jesus looks out and with his shepherd-like devotion he offers them eternal hope by communicating to them that he understands their daily plights. As he describes the varying emotions they experience day to day, he assures them of their eternal rewards in the coming kingdom.
Jesus understands our suffering and struggles
Jesus identifies their struggles and he encourages them to respond in ways that honor God through faith and trust. He knows…they are poor in spirit and that they are mourning. Jesus then commends those who are meek; those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness; those who are merciful; those who are pure in heart; those who are peacemakers; those who are being persecuted because of righteousness. He assures them and then reassures them that God is watching and will recompense them in the coming kingdom for everything they will suffer in this life. We can well imagine how moved these followers were when their soon to be Savior sat before them and loved them well with his Father’s eternal promises. Jesus’ tender approach toward their suffering, their discouragement, their plight as individuals oppressed by the Romans must have lifted their hearts and given them renewed hope.
Jesus offers inner peace in a world of turmoil
Throughout this touching display of Jesus’ shepherd-like care and love, we must note that in each of these specific areas on which Jesus spoke, he was describing their spiritual wellbeing. Blessing is another word for overall wellbeing. Jesus wants them to rejoice and be glad that they belong to the Father and as his beloved own children, he will make all things right in eternity. They can know Jesus as their peace. They can trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They can rest inwardly confident that God in his sovereignty is overseeing every moment of their lives. How Jesus must have won their hearts that day with his humility of loving, gentle exhortation. Here we truly see Jesus’ shepherd’s heart as he sits among his flock and speaks words that have endured generations of believers’ lives. Blessed are they…blessed are we!
Jesus gives us eyes to see beyond today’s troubles
As we ponder the possible responses from those in attendance that day let’s imagine ourselves sitting at Jesus’ feet as he spoke these wonderful promises. How might we have respond as we listen to Jesus assuring us that we are indeed blessed because we belong to him. We are part of his flock for all eternity. Yes, in the here and now, as Jesus so succinctly stated, we may be poor in spirit…we may be mourning. However, he counteracts every possible hurt and heartache of the heart with blessings that promise us enduring inner wellbeing. And we can learn to live in this precious space of inner wellbeing despite our difficult circumstances. Not only that but Jesus wants us to know that our heart attitudes, our choices, and our reactions, have eternal repercussions. He wants us to know that the veil between this temporary life here on earth is thin. How we choose to respond in the here and now to our suffering does affect our eternal lives.
Jesus offers us peace that is otherworldly
Jesus is here to offer us the opposite of what the world gives. His hope and help will overcome every trial, every ounce of suffering, every moment of grief and loss we experience. He wants us to walk through this temporal life as imagers of his holy and perfect love. Here in this message, he gives us the visual blueprint of what overcoming the challenges of this life can look like. Whatever suffering we endure for righteousness sake will be effectively null and void once we meet Jesus on the other side. But until then, we can rest in his promises, we can sit quietly in his presence, we can drink of the well that comes from Jesus and find ourselves satisfied, content, and at peace. Blessed are we who know the wonder working power of Jesus Christ as our beloved Lord and Savior for our inner wellbeing can never be taken from us. Blessed are we!
The Humble Life in Everyday Life
- Humility before God. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Each day this week purpose to spend five minutes on the hour to give thanks for God’s perfect provision for you. Give thanks by faith even before he answers your pleas for help and deliverance. Ask God to create in you a pure heart so that others might see his glory and honor him by trusting him.
- Humility before others. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Spend time each day journaling your honest heart attitudes and struggles. Whether you are finding it difficult to love and serve others or you are struggling with being judgmental, ask God to help you treat everyone with mercy and kindness despite how they may treat you. Remind yourself that God is always watching and he is our righteous judge and will make all things right in eternity.
- Humility of heart. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Pray for a heart that hungers increasingly more and more for righteousness. Ask God to give you a strong desire to know his Word and to memorize his promises knowing that they will guard, protect, and transform your life one thought at a time.
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