February 4, 2008
In Matthew 5:3-10, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes. They are our Christian code of ethics, if you will. They describe what Christ followers should be like. This is not something we can pick or choose to do. A Christian’s life should have these qualities.
Here
is a breakdown of the verses starting with the KING JAMES version and then an
explanation and another version to make it easier to understand. I love the way The Message Bible puts it so
it’s easy for me to understand.
Verse
3: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
---meaning
one who deliberately chooses to be humble (insignificant) and acknowledges their
own helplessness and reliance on God’s help.
THE
MESSAGE translation: "You're blessed when you're at the end
of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”
Verse
4: Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted.
--this
verse doesn’t just mean loosing a loved one through death. It is talking about an active sharing with
God of all that is wrong with the world, because of the world’s appalling
condition, rejecting the Savior, and the doom of them who refuse Him. We will be comforted when God will wipe away
every tear (Rev. 21:4) Christians do all their mourning in this
earthly life. For non-believers this is just a foretaste of
eternal sorrow.
THE
MESSAGE translation: “You're blessed when you feel you've lost
what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to
you.”
Verse
5: Blessed are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth.
--meaning
when a Christian voluntarily, on purpose, takes the spirit of God and becomes a
gentle, patient person and mild in spirit.
Doesn’t mean this person is a quiet mouse. They simply accept their lowly position. But they can also be a lion for God’s
causes. The meek will inherit the earth
when Christ returns.
THE
MESSAGE translation: "You're blessed when you're content
with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves
proud owners of everything that can't be bought.”
Verse
6: Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
--Christians
should passionately long for honesty, integrity and justice in society. Their hunger must feed on Christ or they will
not be filled.
THE
MESSAGE Translation: "You're blessed when you've worked up a
good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.”
Verse
7: Blessed are
the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
--meaning
to be actively compassionate; helping others who can’t help themselves
THE
MESSAGE translation: “You're blessed when you care. At the moment
of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.”
Verse
8: Blessed are
the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
--meaning
a pure-hearted person whose thoughts are holy and who has a clean conscience
mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside
world.”
Verse
9: Blessed are
the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
--meaning
obviously those Christians who try to maintain peace instead of fighting and
bickering
THE MESSAGE translation: "You're
blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.
That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.”
Verse
10: Blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
--meaning
believers who suffer for doing right.
Often the world doesn’t like righteous people because it exposes their
own unrighteousness
THE MESSAGE translation: "You're
blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution
drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.”
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