The Beatitudes are The Constitution of The Kingdom of God! In these truths we discover keys that unlock eternity in our hearts and lives. Until we see life through the lens of eternity, they simply do not make sense. As long as the upside-down world continues to define our perspectives the right-side up Kingdom doesn’t make any sense.
Matthew 5:3-10 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ESV
What is life all about anyway? Consider the comparison of these two lives:
Only eternity will reveal the true value of a life.
Without the reality of eternity, we are merely existing, not truly living. The seven stages of life fly by as we experience spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills and wills. At the end of it all we have nothing to show for it if we’ve chosen to spend it all on ourselves.
Modern day theology tends to focus on this temporal life rather than eternity. We love sermons about my season, my purpose, my marriage, my future, my life. Imposing a self-serving, self-centered, narcissistic perspective on every biblical text actually replaces the death of Christ with my best life. The problem is that you were not born for your temporal pleasure. You were born for God’s eternal purposes!
Living in light of eternity changes everything about your priorities and perspective. I don’t have time to live an injured and offended life, so I work very hard to be unoffendable.
Jesus reiterated only one of these eight Beatitudes just as he reiterated only one part of the Lord’s prayer. He taught, “Forgive us as we forgive others.” Then at the end of this teaching he reiterates this idea specifically saying, “If you don’t forgive others God won’t forgive you.”
Am I mature enough to absorb (like a punching bag) immaturity of those around me? Jesus absorbed our sin and nailed it to his cross and then invited us to do the same for others.
This is the same idea He reiterates in the Beatitudes:
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.... ESV
Jesus was teaching his followers to be awakened and enlightened to a life in light of eternity!
Within 100 years of the death of Christ more than 25,000 people had laid down their lives to follow Him. Over the next 200 years that number would grow to 6 million. Year after year millions and millions more people in every generation would lay their lives down to follow Jesus. Today there are more than 2 billion people following Jesus in our generation!
GP2RL: Make some room to fast and pray this week in light of eternity as you reflect on the progression of the Beatitudes.
