Matthew 5:1-16
The Beatitudes are more than just a interesting title of some blessings spoken by Jesus. The Beatitudes come from the Latin term beatus which means blessings, but this term was never used in referring to a blessing towards humans. The type of blessing it referred to is describing the kind of joy experienced only by the (Greek) gods or the dead… implying an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that did not depend on outward circumstances for happiness.1 This is the life that our faith produces that holds us steadfast in presence of all adversity.
When we realize the weight in which the people would have recieved this teaching, it really allows us to understand what Jesus is leading people to do and what He is promising.
Walking a life of faith with Jesus builds up and directs our attitude in life. Warren Wiersbe expresses four different areas we need to focus our attitude towards. Our attitude towards ourselves (Matthew 5:3), sin (Matthew 5:4-6), the Lord (Matthew 5:7-9) and the world (Matthew 5:10-16).
Out of the four of these areas, the first one is a crucial concept to understand in order to properly understand the others. Jesus said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The phrasing “poor in spirit” is not someone who is empty of courage or self-worth, but someone who sees themselves in a honest perspective and trying to be themselves for the glory of God. More times than not we think of ourselves as more capable than we actually are. James expressed that “every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17) Everything we give to others should reflect our strength that hold through are faith in Christ, from gifts we give to the attitude we portray and everything we give is the light that allows others to see Jesus.
Pray for God to give you the knowledge to understand your direct your attitude in life so that His glory maybe magnified.
1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 21). Victor Books.