Matthew 5 reminds me of teaching children’s Sunday school. Young children tend to have a Santa Claus faith; because they have heard that they must be good to receive a prize. They are always puzzled when I explain that we cannot be good enough to earn God’s favor, nor bad enough to earn God’s condemnation. Jesus began teaching a new concept to the Jewish people that keeping the law was not enough. The chapter begins with Jesus sitting on the gentle slope of the mountainside teaching the large crowd that was following Him. The term “Beatitude” comes from a Latin word meaning blissfully happy, the kind of joy experienced in having peace with God. It is translated here as “Blessed”. He begins, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven“. Spiritual poverty understands need. I believe this refers to the personal recognition that on my own, I lack the resources to be holy. He continues, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted“. This is the deep grief of intimate loss. Personally the thing that brought me to repentance was when God reminded me of the faces of the innocent that I had wronged. I anguished over the pain I caused before I sought His grace. Next He declares, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth“. The meek willingly submit to God’s authority. The cross stood as the example, while I hid my fears and weaknesses from the world, Jesus took my punishment. My pride was overcome by His mercy.
Jesus continues, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled“. Desperation hunger has no manners, it devours and gulps. God alone is righteous and God alone satisfies the need we are born to fill. This thirst produces a desire to honor God above every other thing. The result of seeking His righteousness teaches our need for Mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy“. Mercy is given to those unable to pay. Those that have received mercy are able to freely give that same mercy to others. He continues, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God“. We understand outward cleanliness, but how can one cleanse the heart? Sin separates us from God, and sin can only be removed by the sinless Savior.
The sermon continues, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God“. I remember observing Christians with this calmness, and thinking it was a lack of passion. I did not realize this kind of peace comes from confidence that we are fully reconciled to God through the Christ. It is this assurance that others see. The next two verses are part of the theme to the chapter, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven“. Most of us in this country are persecuted for our own stupidity. Notice His point is the accusations are false, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me“. There is much hate and division in the world, but we are called to be bold witnesses. Two symbols are given, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world“. Both come with warnings to be active, involved and uncompromising. Our faith must be visible in order for others to see it, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven“. Friend, is it time to stop looking for Santa and start looking for the Savior?