Beatitude. Beatitude. Beatitude. Say that three times really fast. Something about that word never got my proper attention until recently.
If I heard the words ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ I envisioned a lovely mountainside, picnic baskets, and Jesus.
There were picnic baskets, right? It WAS the longest sermon on record.
But hearing the word ‘beatitude’ did not sound nearly as special – until I saw the definition. Beatitude means supreme blessedness.
We all want supreme blessedness, right?
Well, the beatitudes are the key.
Blessed are:
The Humble. Humility means to have a modest view of our own importance. Not to think less of ourselves, but to think of ourselves less.
The Mourners. We are in a world that believes in happiness at any cost. But – Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 says that it is better to go into the house of mourning than the house of feasting. Sorrow is better than laughter. By the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
The Meek. Meekness is about our behavior toward others. The word is meekness- not weakness. It is meek – not EEK! Moses was described as meek in Numbers 12:3. Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly in heart,” in Matthew 11:29. They had great power – but it was power under control.
The Hungry for Righteousness. Righteousness is the desire to do what is right. It is desiring God. It is pursuing God. We should be hungry for righteousness – and go after it!
The Merciful. Mercy is what you give to someone who does not deserve it. Compassion. Forgiveness. Surely the word mercy originated at the cross – as the greatest show of mercy possible was extended to us – the sinner.
The Pure in Heart. Man looks on the outside, but God looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23
The Peacemakers. Jesus gave His life to make peace between us and God. We are to carry that message of peace to the world. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15
The Persecuted. Persecution often refers to those who are mistreated because of religious beliefs. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12
The beatitudes say that if we do these things: We are blessed. We will receive the kingdom of heaven. We will be comforted. We will inherit the earth. We will be filled.
We will obtain mercy. We will see God. We will be called the children of God.
That, my friends, is supreme blessedness.
*8 beatitudes from the Lord that teach us how to live.
*Beatitudes – my new favorite word.
*Godly examples for us to follow.
*Teach them to our children and grandchildren.
*Let the beatitudes be a part of our family legacy.
*That sure was some great preaching on the hillside near Capernaum.
*Brought to you by: Jesus in ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ in Matthew 5:3-12.
