- Jan 14, 2015
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A massive crowd had gathered by the sea of Galilee. They sat down on the Mount of Olives with great expectancy for words they'd waited so long to hear. It appeared to them that a Deliverer had arisen from their midst, One to Whom the prophecies pointed, One by Whom they would finally be restored to national greatness.
The Jews hated the Romans. They longed to be freed from the yoke of Roman oppression, longed to be delivered from their suffering, longed to regain their former glory as God's chosen nation. At His word, they would have surely gathered themselves together for battle and marched across long distances to fight their enemies, fully confident their foes would be delivered into their hands as God had done so often before in the past. It seemed their time had finally come.
O, how Jesus disappointed them.
When Jesus began to speak, He indeed spoke of a journey – but not one of glorious military conquest – but of humble steps on a different path, the path of salvation.
“Blessed are the merciful...”The Greek word “eleemon” refers to mercy without reservation. We cease from indignation and wrath against those who do us wrong; we pity others and desire to help them find the peace and eternal life that is now ours.
When global conflicts end and politicians gather to congratulate themselves, they invariably quote from the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers” – but have they turned their steps toward Christ and become Biblical peacemakers?
...the world will persecute you...Satan will be after you. But, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
The Jews hated the Romans. They longed to be freed from the yoke of Roman oppression, longed to be delivered from their suffering, longed to regain their former glory as God's chosen nation. At His word, they would have surely gathered themselves together for battle and marched across long distances to fight their enemies, fully confident their foes would be delivered into their hands as God had done so often before in the past. It seemed their time had finally come.
O, how Jesus disappointed them.
When Jesus began to speak, He indeed spoke of a journey – but not one of glorious military conquest – but of humble steps on a different path, the path of salvation.
“Blessed...”
The Greek “makarios” is the strongest Greek word which refers to the exceeding blessing of a new wife or birth of a child. Jesus' words were indeed by which “all the families of the Earth would be blessed”.“Blessed are the poor in Spirit...”
The Greek “ptochos” is the strongest Greek word which refers to abject poverty, absolutely nothing, total spiritual bankruptcy. What a blessing to recognize we have nothing to bring to God's bargaining table except a lost soul because only then is salvation possible.“Blessed are they that mourn...”
The Greek “pentheo” is the strongest Greek word which refers to the kind of terrible mourning a mother would experience over the loss of her little child, abject grief and pain. We cease to proudly revel in our sin, and instead mourn that it caused the death of Jesus.“Blessed are the meek...”
The Greek “praus” is the strongest Greek word which doesn't refer to “weakness” but “humility”; “strength under control”. As we gaze upon Him Who “humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross”, we humble ourselves in acknowledgment of our great need for Him. We ask Him to save us and by faith remember the promise, “him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out”.“Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness...”
The Greek “peinao” and “dipsao” are the strongest Greek words which refer to abject hunger and thirst like one would feel after having nothing to eat or drink for several days. As born again believers, we have a strong desire to be sanctified by God; to be changed from our vile character to Jesus' character.thirst after righteousness...”
“Blessed are the merciful...”
“Blessed are the pure...”
The Greek word “katharos” refers to a purity that is totally pure, without the slightest trace of corruption. We seek to “walk as Jesus walked” in obedience to His commandments. We want not only Pardon for sin, but Power to obey God as both our Savior and our Lord.“Blessed are the Peacemakers...”
The Greek word “eirenopois” is an obscure Greek word found only in the Greek NT. Thus, we should expect that it is to have a purely religious connotation. It refers to “one who has made peace with God”; one who has found heavenly peace and strives to help others find the same. When global conflicts end and politicians gather to congratulate themselves, they invariably quote from the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers” – but have they turned their steps toward Christ and become Biblical peacemakers?
“Blessed are they which are persecuted...”
The Greek word “dioko” means “to pursue”; “to follow after”. Once we surrender our hearts to Christ, can we expect our lives will be free from trials from then on? No.If we turn our steps toward Christ
and in our poverty stricken spiritual state
mourn over the fact our sins caused the death of Jesus,
and in humility seek His forgiveness,
and desire to be changed,
and extend mercy where there was once only hardness,
and go forth in purity of thoughts, words, actions,
enjoying the peace of God in our hearts...
and in our poverty stricken spiritual state
mourn over the fact our sins caused the death of Jesus,
and in humility seek His forgiveness,
and desire to be changed,
and extend mercy where there was once only hardness,
and go forth in purity of thoughts, words, actions,
enjoying the peace of God in our hearts...
...the world will persecute you...Satan will be after you. But, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
