In Matthew 5-7 we read a sermon that Jesus Christ gave which has impacted the lives and hearts of millions. These chapters, often called “The Sermon on the Mount”, contain a profound and challenging message. The Lord is providing His disciples with the answer to the question, “How should we live as disciples of Jesus Christ?”
The Recipe for Blessing (Matthew 5:1-12) – Part 1
Any scan of social media platforms will tell you that the search for “wellbeing” is a global phenomenon. There also appears to be a growing recognition that there is more to wellbeing than simply wealth or career success. People are searching for a holistic approach that will lead to physical, emotional and even spiritual fulfilment. However, this “wellbeing” still proves to be so elusive. Is it really out there?
The disciple of Jesus Christ discovers that in Him there is true peace, wholeness and fulfilment. The Bible describes this “wellbeing” with the word “blessed”. The Sermon on the Mount opens with a series of nine statements about how we can experience blessing. As we read these statements, usually referred to as “The Beatitudes”, we immediately see that this is a radically counter-cultural approach. What if the Beatitudes were to be re-written for our age, with its priorities and desires?
Blessed are the self-confident because they know their self-worth;
Blessed are the happy because they are living the dream;
Blessed are the ambitious, they will achieve their goals;
Blessed are the spiritual for they are in touch with their true selves;
Blessed are the powerful because they are in control of their own destiny;
Blessed are the open-minded because they live in the moment;
Blessed are the decision-makers, for they set the agenda;
Blessed are the safe, because fear stifles us;
Blessed are the admired because, well, isn’t that obvious?
In these verses, the Lord is turning every man-made conception of where and how “blessing” is to be found on its head.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
The Lord is not referring to financial poverty but rather a humble attitude. In the era of the cult of self-esteem, humility is not high on the cultural agenda. However, biblical humility is not the same as low self-esteem. Rather than holding a skewed perception of self, a humble person has a right view of God. A humble attitude recognises the purity, majesty and glory of God. This leads to an accurate view of where we stand before Him. This humility is essential for entry into the kingdom of heaven, the sphere of God’s rule, where Christ is Lord, because it recognises the need for a personal Saviour.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
It is true that the Lord draws near to His people when they are hurting (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). However, the emphasis here appears to be mourning over our sin. That connects it to the previous verse. Having understood who God is, we then see our sin for what it truly is. The Lord does not leave us there. He promises that comfort will be provided. This is the true comfort that can only come from the One who has provided forgiveness for all sin in His death on the cross.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
Meekness is not a characteristic that our culture aspires to. It is equated with weakness or a lack of self-assertiveness. However, it has often been said that meekness is not weakness but rather power under control. Exploring what is implied by meekness, J. C. Ryle wrote: “He means those who are of a patient and contented spirit. They are willing to put up with little honour here below; they can bear injuries without resentment: they are not ready to take offence.”[1]
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
I find this verse deeply challenging. We understand that there are mountains and valleys in the Christian life; times of spiritual exhilaration and periods of real struggle. However, there is also the danger of the spiritual plateau. This can happen at any stage of the Christian journey. Reaching a point where we are reading our Bibles daily, praying, attending and serving in our local church, but we have become content with that. It is wonderful to be content in Christ; in Him we have everything we could ever need or desire. However, it is a dangerous thing for us to become content with ourselves. Have we ceased to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness? To be desperate to lead lives that please God? If we seek the Lord for a renewal of those desires, we have His promise that our hunger and thirst will be satisfied
[1] Ryle, J.C., Matthew: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Banner of Truth Trust, 2012 (p.27)
