And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:1-10

The Beatitudes also known famously as the “Sermon on the Mount” considered by many not only to be one of the greatest teachings by Christ, but one of the greatest teachings in the entire world. The word “Beatitudes” means Blessings, however also as you examine these “Blessings” given by Christ they line up with the Ten Commandments, God’s Moral Law. While The Law reveals our sinful nature, its only function is to condemn. Jesus is providing His blessings of the New Covenant, as Christ has fulfilled The Law (Matthew 5:17)

While the Old Covenant had physical and financial blessings, the New Covenant has spiritual blessings for God’s Kingdom. For example, when Jesus is talking about the “Poor in Spirit” He’s not talking about a physical wealth of money, He’s talking about a spiritual poorness, those who mourn over their sinful nature, those who are facing trials and tribulations, those who are persecuted for God, they are blessed through Jesus Christ. I’m not going to break down every blessing as I’ve done this previously on my page Beatitudes, but you get the idea Jesus is providing a New Covenant with an Eternal Kingdom that is greater than the Old Covenant

While we look down this list, our natural minds wonder how can any of these people be blessed? The hungry, the poor, and the mourning, but our victory is through Jesus Christ. This whole teaching was a radical shift from the Old Covenant, where you were blessed by your health and possessions. Christ has provided a Better Covenant built on better and eternal promises (Hebrews 8:6)

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

Now comes the even more radical part, Jesus said “Blessed are you when people insult and persecute you” What? How can we be blessed or happy when people hate us? Again this goes back to what Jesus just taught us “Blessed are the poor in spirit” ect, we are in a spiritual warfare(Ephesians 6), this calling on your life is not going to be easy but the victory is already yours through Christ. You need to keep an eternal perspective in a temporary world, this is hard to do. But as Jesus said “Great is your reward in Heaven” not in this world as false teachers are telling people. 

We need to reflect more upon these blessings by Christ. In a fallen world, its easy to get discouraged or defeated but remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are Blessed and Victorious already through Him (John 16:33) Amen!