Get to Know the Beatitudes
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12
This radical teaching from Jesus completely contradicts the world's values.
The Beatitudes list the attributes of those who are children of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:11-12). We are called to seek humility, mercy, and righteousness and challenged to reorient ourselves from worldly values to those of God.
Each beatitude starts with "Blessed are…" —stating that God is smiling upon a person who possesses the following characteristic. In a culture that frequently emphasizes power, money, and independence, Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding how much we need Him.
The Beatitudes aren't just a set of characteristics to strive for; they represent the core of Jesus' message about what it means to be among His disciples.
I pray that these short devotionals will encourage you to pursue a closer walk with Jesus and to be intentional about receiving discipleship through a small group or leading one, if you are so equipped.
As we start this series, pray for open hearts to embrace the truth of the Beatitudes. Ask God to empower you to see the beauty in being a humble servant of His, the strength in being meek, and the joy in pursuing righteousness. Seek the Lord's guidance to be transformed by His Word, and ask for His help to live these principles out daily.
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with a heart full of gratitude for You and Your Word.
Lord, guide me on this journey of reading and reflecting on the Beatitudes. Help me understand how You can use them in my life as You continue to shape me into the person You desire me to be.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.