As you read through The Beatitudes, think about what you believe you need to what you need to have a good life. Take some time to reflect on how this list compares to what would commonly come to mind for this good or blessed life:
Matthew 5:3-12 “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. 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, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ESV
Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. We want to help people find everlasting joy in Jesus Christ as we explore this ourselves.
There are eight beatitudes ending in verse 10, with verses 11-12 being an expansion of the 8th beatitude. The fourth and eighth beatitudes are like book ends, both expressing a reassurance of, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
We have access to the kingdom of heaven. This is not just a future promise of heaven when we die. This is a promise of living in the reality of God’s loving authority and presence both now and forever. Jesus is talking about a radically different way of life expressing heaven’s right-side up values while living in our upside-down world.
These eight Beatitudes unlock access to God’s Kingdom in our lives:
Those who recognize their need for God, grieving over sin and experiencing God’s comfort, yielding control to the Holy Spirit and desiring God’s ways. Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Notice the first four Beatitudes are inward posture before God preparing the heart to receive and walk in Kingdom authority. The last four are expressions of living in the world revealing God’s nature to others.
These are the reflections of the values of God’s kingdom lived out on earth. We see four reflections of a heart posture and four reflections of the lifestyle of a person who lives under God’s rule.
The more you live like a citizen of heaven; the more heaven becomes visible through your life on earth.
Next week we begin a deep dive on what Jesus chose to reveal first in the order of this progression of 8 beatitudes, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
GP2RL: Take some time to reflect on these things before God and allow him to unlock something in your life.
