Editor's note: This series of devotionals on the Beatitudes first appeared on PrayerNet Devotional - the online publication of PrayerNet of Fredericksburg, Virginia. We wish to thank Bowie Curry and PrayerNet for granting permission to post this devotional series. To receive devotionals like these via email, to contact Bowie Curry, or to learn more about PrayerNet, please visit http://www.prayfred.com .
INTRODUCTION
Matthew 5
1 Seeing the multitudes, (Jesus) went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to Him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Success in the Christian life depends almost entirely on the condition of our heart. Jesus was effective in His prayer life not because He followed carefully devised formulas but rather because He was so perfectly in tune with the heart of His Father. The Beatitudes [or “Be-Attitudes”] in the Sermon on the Mount give us a picture of Jesus’ heart responses to the Father and the world around Him. They reveal a Christ-like character manifesting itself in real life situations and relationships. The word “beatitude” comes from the Latin word meaning “blessed” and Christ pronounces a specific blessing on all who possess them. In the following devotionals we will be looking at the Beatitudes as they reflect the heart of a true intercessor.
The most complete list of these “Crown Jewels of the New Testament” is found in Matthew 5:3-10 at the beginning of what we call the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew was a “bean counter” - a tax collector - and this “sermon” is most likely an ordered collection of Jesus’ teaching rather than a particular message. Verses 3-10 reveal the true character of a Christian. In verses 11-12 we see the reaction of the world to Christian character which is invariably persecution. Verses 13-16 show the influence of Christian character on the culture of the world and verses 17 through the end of the “sermon” in Mt. 7:29 give us a picture of how a person reflecting this character practically lives out his life in this world.
It should be noted that these Beatitudes, as difficult as they may seem to a 21st century American, were intended for all Christians and not just the “super saints”. On the other hand, it needs to be emphasized that they were intended only for Christians. Gandhi of India frequently meditated on the Beatitudes and was constantly frustrated that they always seemed just beyond his grasp. No wonder! They are fruits of God’s Spirit and only possible though His power. And all the Beatitudes are for all Christians at all times; we don’t have the liberty to “pick and choose”. Finally, they appear to be progressive: Poverty of spirit leads to mourning, mourning leads to meekness, etc.
Through the Beatitudes Jesus is marking the path to true blessedness, framing a stark contrast with the so-called blessings that the world pursues. The world’s blessings are outward and are reflected in the pursuit of fame, fortune, power, and pleasure. The Christian’s blessings are inward works of God’s grace in the heart and revealed as “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” The world’s blessings are changeable, transitory, and empty while those of the Christian are serene, untouchable, completely independent of all changes and chances of life. The world’s blessings are dependent on outward circumstances, the Christian’s on inward grace.
Take some time to reflect on your own prayer life. Slowly read through the Beatitudes. Ask yourself, “Do I really believe that a Christ-like life is a truly blessed life? Do my prayers for myself reflect the focus of one seeking true blessedness? Do I express in my prayers for others God’s priority of Godly character as the path to true and lasting blessing?” Begin to ask the Holy Spirit to make you more aware of your attitudes toward and responses to God, to other Christians, and to people and circumstances in your life. How do they compare with the responses of Jesus listed in the Beatitudes?
Father, I thank you that You have shown us in the Beatitudes that a Christ-like character is the path to life and true blessing. I ask that in the coming days, as we consider these attitudes of heart that Jesus reflected in His life and teaching, let them increasingly become manifested in my life, words and actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!