Was Not New to political and social situations in Jerusalem. Roman rule over the Jews was unpopular, demanding and, at times, oppressive. He could have called legions of angels to come and deliver the Jews out of the Roman rule and set up his kingdom in Jerusalem. This is what Israel wanted. But Jesus resisted this temptation and did what his Father wanted him to do even though he would be rejected and crucified by wicked hands in doing so. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught his disciples and the multitude, including the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes, to behave wisely, to worship God in spirit and truth, to do His will, to have faith. His teachings and lessons in the parables can be summed up in his first set of lessons in the sermon on the mount.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” Matthew 5:3
Blessed — happy are those who realize they are sinners and need God. They realize they need God in their daily lives and continually seek His forgiveness. The opposite of these are the proud in spirit, as was King Saul and the nation of Israel. They justified what they did and assumed God would accept it.
The poor in spirit are those who are needy. They are not necessarily in need of material things. The poor in spirit feel a spiritual need and realize the only way to fill this need is by prayer and faith, relying upon the mercy of God. “I am poor and needy: yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer…” (Psa. 40:17).
A man can have all the riches of the world: the best job, health, a happy family. But if they only promote self-esteem in worldly things, he will not be happy. His self-esteem will drive him to want more and more.
“Blessed are they that mourn” Matthew 5:4
How can one be happy and mourning at the same time?
Jesus taught his listeners to accept their own sins and seek forgiveness and help from God through prayer. Generally, people’s instincts lead to rebellion when facing pain. They try to evade discomfort through work or pleasure. When most people sin, they find reasons to justify their sin. Others are content with an unexamined life. To them sin is a trivial affair. Jesus is asking that the mourner realize he is a sinner and must learn to depend on God.
In Psalm 51 David acknowledged his sin and prayed to God asking: 1) God to have mercy upon him, 2) to blot out his sin, 3) to wash and cleanse him.
Jesus tells us to mourn for others in our prayers, not for ourselves only. We can easily step aside when we see people in pain, sorrow, or experiencing persecution. We may say, “It is none of my business. I have my own problems and troubles to deal with.” Or we can pretend to care but not be genuine in our concern. Jesus condemned the leaders of Israel for not taking care of the poor and needy or others who sought their help. Instead of giving aid, the leaders took advantage of those in need.
Jesus asks us to mourn for those who sin and are in need of forgiveness and to mourn for those who are being persecuted for righteousness sake. He wants us to mourn and plead in our prayers for the kingdom to come when sin and wickedness will be no more.
“Blessed are the meek” Matthew 5:5
Many compare meekness to gentleness or confuse it with weakness. This is not what Jesus is saying. Someone who is poor in spirit would understand what meekness is. The meek person is one who recognizes God’s greatness and is humbled by it. He counts life as unimportant and uses his abilities in service to others, in obedience to God.
Meekness is found in one who is ‘poor in spirit.’ It is practicing active humility. Meekness is not being harsh, covetous, self-righteous, or trampling on others. The ungodly claim their rights; the meek go about their duties. The meek live in contentment and godliness. The meek are confident, knowing God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life on earth, will give them the kingdom as an inheritance.
Come…all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart… (Matt. 11:29).
“Blessed are they that hunger and thirst” Matthew 5:6.
The meaning of this can best be appreciated by one who has gone through physical thirst and hunger. The Lord Jesus Christ experienced this when he was in the wilderness for forty days. Today we live in a world where people hunger for riches and the good material things of life. That appetite is never satisfied; they will hunger for more and more as they are never filled. But Jesus says a man who hungers and thirsts after righteousness shall be filled with joy in godliness.
“Blessed are the merciful” Matthew 5:7
“They shall obtain mercy.” This is what God will do. He will show grace toward sinners and by His mercy deliver them from their ultimate enemy death.
Jesus is saying a man who is merciful will reflect the character of God. A merciful person will extend the same undeserved forgiveness which he receives from God. People often criticize and show resentment toward others but Christ went to great lengths to teach us to be forgiving: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you.” This is what natural Israel failed to do. They were not merciful. They were so concerned about themselves and their own present welfare that they put their deliverer to death.
“Blessed are the pure in heart” Matthew 5:8
The fullness of God’s blessings for the pure in heart is in the future. But even now, in a limited way, we can see God in His wonderful creation, in the fulfillment of His promises in history, and in our daily lives when He helps us when we reach out to Him.
With this in mind, Jesus is speaking to those who believe, who have faith in the promises of things to come and who have faith that they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers” Matthew 5: 9
Peacemakers are what our world lacks today. We see their absence in world leaders. The world lacks peace between countries, families and individuals.
The peace Jesus is speaking of here is individual peace and being at peace with God: “The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Num. 6:26). When we assemble to worship together, we share fellowship because we have peace with one another. In turn, we have fellowship with God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul tells us: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Blessed are they which are persecuted” Matthew 5:10
Jesus is speaking of people who endure persecution because of personal adherence to God’s truth, for righteousness’ sake. This persecution may be avoided by people who “play it safe” and compromise God’s truth, their beliefs and their faith.
We know God’s will. We know what He wants and expects of us. We all want to please God. The question is, are we remembering — correctly, constantly, and completely — what God wants? Are we making a genuine, concerted effort to do what we have been taught? May we have the will and the courage to do what we know is right.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One