“Beatitudes of Need,” and the last four beatitudes are called the “Beatitudes of Action.”
Matt 5:3-10
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
God’s work in our lives begins with recognizing that we are morally bankrupt. Jesus calls that attitude being “poor in spirit.” If that is true of a person, they will be sorrowful for their sin and will show contrition for how they have broken God’s heart. These two qualities will produce meekness which is the complete opposite of arrogance. All of that leads to spiritual hunger, and God promises to fill such a heart. Jesus once told a parable that illustrates these beatitudes:
Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax
collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like
other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week
and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
This parable says it so clear that no one gets through to God unless they recognize their spiritual
neediness. If they do however, the way is the way of the tax collector. Then they will have a future from
God. That future is explained in the last four beatitudes. As a result of the attitude and actions of a true believer, these are pictures of their future:
- They shall be comforted
- They shall inherit
- They shall be satisfied
- They shall see God
- They shall be called sons of God
These beatitudes produce a broken blessedness in us that is the fruit of a true believer—a believer with a future hope. This is a selfless believer who is full of God’s blessed gifts.
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