The Sermon on the Mount: A 21-Day Guide to the Greatest Sermon Ever PreachedSample

The Blessed Life, Part 2

Yesterday, we began our investigation of the Beatitudes and discovered the powerful truth that God’s kingdom is built on a bedrock of blessing. Today, we’re digging into the transformational power these blessings hold when we take them seriously.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:3-12 NIV

If we want to unlock the power of these blessings in our own lives, it helps to understand who Jesus was talking to and who He was talking about. It’s important to acknowledge that thoughtful and sincere Christians throughout the ages have come to different conclusions about what the Beatitudes are meant to teach us. Are they simply a description of the kinds of people who were in the audience when Jesus delivered this sermon? Are these blessings intended to be a series of qualities all Christians are meant to embody? Or is it a picture of what Jesus is like? Or could it be all three? Keep reading to find out.

1. The Beatitudes describe the people in the crowd Jesus was preaching to.

People who were financially and spiritually poor, desperate to hear what Jesus had to say.

People mourning because of what Rome had done to them and how sin had ravaged this world.

People whose meekness was born out of the humiliation inflicted upon them.

People who longed for the righteousness of God to push back the darkness they were trapped in.

People who were so aware of their own need for mercy that they had learned to give to others what they craved for themselves.

People whose hearts had been purified through countless hours on their knees praying for God to act.

People actively working to bring peace where there was chaos, hoping their efforts wouldn’t be in vain.

People who were persecuted because they were trying to do what was right, even when it bumped against the status quo.

2. The Beatitudes illustrate the character qualities God wants us to develop.

Recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy shows us how much we need God. Meekness gives us permission to admit our weaknesses and call out to God and others for help. Hunger and thirst for righteousness will drive us to the Righteous One and move us to partner with God to confront injustice in our world. Peacemaking brings healing to relational wounds and unity to divided friends. Persevering through persecution develops the strength we need to stay faithful to Jesus—no matter what life throws our way.

3. The Beatitudes paint a picture of what Jesus is like.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 NIV

When Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, deprived of nourishment and tempted by the devil, He was dependent on God to provide for Him.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NIV

Jesus’ heart broke for the pain and suffering humanity had endured because of our rebellion against God and the schemes of the evil one.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 NIV

Jesus had all the power and authority in heaven and on earth, but He never used His power to advantage Himself or disadvantage others. Instead, He stripped Himself of His divine privileges and took on the position of a servant.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV

Jesus was fully committed to doing what was right and undoing what was wrong.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV

When Jesus’ blood was spilled, mercy poured out. Now, forgiveness of sins is available to anyone who calls on His name and commits to following Him.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV

Jesus was good and true, through and through. From beginning to end, His intentions were pure and His integrity never wavered.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NIV

Through His death and resurrection, He brought peace between us and God. For at one time, because of our sins, we had become enemies of God. But through the grace of Jesus, our past is erased and our friendship with God is restored.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 NIV

Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, arrested, beaten, and crucified—not because of anything He had done wrong but because His righteousness was too much for His sinful critics to stand. So they arranged to have Him killed.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 NIV

Even as He hung on the cross, they still hurled abuse and insults at Him. But that didn’t phase Him, because He knew that He had done all that He was asked. He loved His Father fully, with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength—even though it cost His life. He loved us perfectly, by laying down His life for us, even as we drove the nails into His hands and feet.

What did Jesus say?

Being blessed by God doesn’t come from accumulating wealth, achieving success, or acquiring fame. Being blessed by God comes from knowing and following Jesus.

What did Jesus do?

He lived by the values of God’s kingdom and demonstrated what it looks like to build our lives around what God says matters most.

How can I apply that to my life today?

Reject the values and priorities of our world and embrace the values and priorities of God’s kingdom.

Take some time to reflect on the Beatitudes. Ask yourself, “Does how I’m living look like what Jesus calls blessed?”

Then, choose one of the Beatitudes to make your focus today. Pray for God to help you live that out and look for ways to make choices that line up with that particular Beatitude.