Matthew 5:1-13

 Matthew 5:1-13

This with the rest of the Sermon on the Mount is about the life of a disciple. Blessed is a poor translation rather we should use “fortunate” or better yet “enviable”. “Your life is enviable when….” These are often eschatological statements. This is not civic or moral law for societies at large. They are rather statement of kingdom citizenship.

“Poor in spirit” meaning to humbly put their trust in God. The kingdom belongs to them because they are God’s people.

“Those who mourn” are those whose life, from this world’s perspective, is not a happy life because of their loyalty to God. They are to be envied because God will work it out in the end.

“The meek” are those who do not throw their weight around. They rely on God to give them what is their due. God gives what the world can never take. Meekness is not merely a matter of social justice or personal moral righteousness but a relationship with God that is unclouded by disobedience.

“To hunger and thirst after righteousness” is to desire to obey the Lord.

“The merciful” enjoy on the positive side of the reciprocal nature of sowing and reaping. They have been merciful or sown mercy; they will receive or reap mercy.

“Pure in heart” is more than ordinary moral purity or even sexual purity. The pure in heart has a heart undivided, where there is no alloy of disloyalty mixed in. Such a one sees God and the kingdom and its glory now.

“The peacemakers” have a distinct absence of selfish ambition. They have learned to set aside their own agenda to accomplish the agenda of peace-God’s peace.

“Persecuted for righteousness” is more than being good. It is the orientation of a life toward God and His will. These, like those mentioned in verse three inherit the kingdom. The repetition of the Kingdom of God indicates this refers to the life of the beatitudes. Persecution indicates identification with the Lord. Reward is not a just payment. They receive disproportionate grace-filled mercy. The reward in heaven has more to do with God; He is their great reward. He is enjoyed both before and after death.

The phrase “lost its taste” in verse 13 represents the Aramaic idiom “has become foolish”. A foolish disciple has no influence on the world.

Prayer thought: “Lord, help me to live as a disciple following you and you alone, Amen.”