The Beatitudes, Part 1

Matthew 5:3-6: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.” The poor in spirit are those who don’t lay their confidence on wealth or possessions, or take pride in their great abilities or prestige. Instead, we have nothing to call our own, not even our great spirituality! Nevertheless, as a blessing, Jesus gives us the kingdom of heaven. Those who mourn are those with trouble-filled lives. The Christian life will not have only good days, singing and skipping and jumping. We will also have trouble and agony, and we will be made keenly aware of our sin, and of the effects of sin in our life and in the world. But Jesus gives us comfort. The gentle or meek have no ability to avenge themselves. Lambs among wolves, where the world will take full advantage of them. But to those who are beaten so low, Jesus gifts the whole earth. The saints of Jesus are hungry and thirsty for righteousness. They have given up on their own efforts to be good, and instead they see that Jesus gives that righteousness through his Word and Sacraments. Such powerful things incur the wrath of the Devil and the world and their own sinful flesh, but in the cross, Jesus satisfies our desperate need for his holiness, making us saints and children of God.