MATTHEW 5:1-6 lesson # 1
The Beatitudes: Reversal

I. Greetings:
Years ago, I bought my first computer and my first complex word processing program: Word Perfect 4.0. When I was first learning how to use the software program I became aware of how vast the program was, but I limited myself to learning only those parts that I needed to write a dissertation: footnotes, and word processing procedures. I needed to do this because I did not have time to learn other features. As I upgraded my Word Perfect program to 4.2, 5.1 and even 6.0 on to new word processing programs, I still did not learn how to become completely competent with the rest of the programs such as math, drawing, etc. I owned a vastly more complex program than I presently make use of or understand.
For many of us that is how we approach our faith, the Bible and Christ Himself. We have started with some knowledge of Him, and what He says in the Bible, but have never completely explored how much richness there is in the Scriptures and in Christ Himself. Trying to scratch the surface a bit I want to explore with you the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Learning all of a computer program is not essential to success in some settings, but learning the Sermon on the Mount is essential to the Christian life (Matthew 7:24-27). You could avoid a great crash!

II. Introduction: Matthew 5:1-2
A. General Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount.
Note: Matthew 5-7 is often called the Sermon on the Mount. Some call it the “Call to Discipleship” or the definition of what a true disciple is. Many think this a key document to understanding what Jesus wanted His disciples to know. Turn with me if you will to Matthew 5:1.
>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:1-2.
Q Did Jesus hide His highest teachings from the general public?
An = No. Jesus was speaking to the crowds but verse 2 says His disciples were around him before He spoke. This was typical of Jesus. He would let anyone hear, but what He was going to say was for the disciples: for the dedicated followers of Jesus.
Many cults have special teaching for their inner core, and hide such material from the general population. However, Jesus did not teach this way. There was no hidden agenda. His teaching was open for all to hear.
Note: The Sermon on the Mount has several characteristics.
1. It is for disciples only: what He is going to say in the next three chapters is not “good teaching” for anyone except true Christians. This teaching is not for the average person. As you will see, it is not easy to follow. In fact, it is impossible to follow without help from the Holy Spirit.
2. It is not Idealism but for this life: The Sermon on the Mount is not spiritual romanticism, but practically possible if you are a disciple.
3. Understanding the Sermon on the Mount comes from doing it; as William Barclay says it cannot be understood until it is followed. You truly realize what it means only when you do it.
4. It is Christ centered: everything centers on Jesus’ character and activity. Everything He taught, He already was and practiced in His earthly life. He was the source and the power behind the whole sermon. If you do not like the Sermon on the Mount you will not like Jesus.
5. Christ explained His own teachings by His own actions: one of the great adventures in reading the book of Matthew is to realize that Jesus’ teaching is found in 5 blocks in the book of Matthew (5-7, 10, 13, 18, 24-25) and these blocks are surrounded by narratives of Jesus’ actions. If you cannot understand a statement of Jesus or it seems extreme, see how He acted. His actions will explain what He meant. Jesus life was His Message.
B. Introduction to the Beatitudes.
Q What do we usually call the first few verses of the Sermon on the Mount (5:3-12)?
An = The Beatitudes! The Sermon opened with a series of statements that declare what it means to be “blessed”: called by many: “the Beatitudes”. These saying are both in a unique pattern but similar to what is found in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms. His Jewish listeners would have immediately been familiar with the cadence and forms He used.
Q What is the pattern or sentence structure that seems to govern these verses?
An = It has a fairly regular rhythm to it. It is almost poetry. “Blessed are….for….” The type of person who is “blessed” is described and then why they are blessed is given. Let us look at the first beatitude and see an example of the pattern.

III. The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:3-6.
>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:3.
Q Who are those who are blessed?
An = The “Poor in Spirit”. What does this mean?
Q Does it mean those who are spiritually poor? Should we stop reading our Bibles, helping the needy, stop praying and stop loving God so we can be spiritually poor?
An = No, the phrase has another meaning. Some believe “poor in spirit” refers to becoming aware of our spiritual poverty. Realizing that we are weak spiritually and then and only then can we become blessed and come into the “Kingdom of Heaven”. Such a view is found all over Scripture. Until we realize how far in need we are we do not really enter the Kingdom. However, this phrase could also mean something else.
“Poor in spirit” was a phrase used to describe those who indeed were socially and economically poor because of their loyalty to God’s will.
Finally, it could be taken literally. It is those who are down cast that will be the inheritors of the kingdom of God. The stress is not on “winners” but those depressed.
>>>>Turn to Luke 6:20 and let’s read that together.
Note: Luke uses the word “poor”, not “poor in spirit”. In other words, Jesus could be saying poverty is the state that could lead to being under God’s rule (in His Kingdom). Poverty was not something to be ashamed of but the beginning of the state of blessedness. “Happy are those who are on the bottom and social rung on the ladder because of their religious convictions, because they have heaven as their home”. However, in Luke we will see that poverty was not defined as just economical poverty but could be “poor in self-esteem” as well (see Luke 7:36-50). There are four ways to apply this statement.
First
Q Are these verses out of step with what is often on TV and stressed in our culture?
An = Yes! Television teaches blessed are the wealthy, the young, and the good looking and talented. Fools are those who do not get ahead socially or economically because of religious commitments to God. There is no heaven, but only what you have now! Jesus reversed a great deal of the viewpoints portrayed on television. His view is a reversal of much of how Hollywood lives.
Second
Q How would this apply to those setting up their career? Is it good to be poor in Spirit?
Third
Q Can this verse be seen as a spiritual threat? Could we lose heaven if we are not willing to be economically and socially poor for the sake of the Gospel?
Fourth
Q Do folks miss “blessedness” because they seek position, money or position? Have you witnessed this in the lives of people you know?
An = Sometimes we do not seek to do evil, but we are unwilling to be poor to follow the Gospel. We do not want to be in Christian work, or in certain jobs, because they are not good for our career (career = economic and social standing). Many times we walk away from the will of God for our lives, not because we sin, but because we are not willing to be poor for the sake of the Gospel. It is blessed to be poor or excluded because of our loyalty to God’s reign. Many times those in Christian work seek the high and prestigious positions. Glory and respect are more valued than service and humility.
There is a heaven, and those willing to sacrifice what they have in this life to be loyal to God, will gain it. They will be in His kingdom and being like their king.
>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:4.
Q Why is this verse so strange, what is odd?
An = It is strange that those who suffer are the ones called “blessed”: those who have suffered loss so that they mourn. Sometimes we think we are blessed if all goes well for us every time, and if it does not, then God does not love us. Jesus reversed this! Blessed are those who mourn.
Q What does this have to say to those who are presently in mourning?
An = It could be seen as a promise, “we will be comforted”. In Christ, pain always ends, sorrow always ends and mourning will cease. Those of you mourn this morning: God promised it would end.
>>>> Have someone read Psalms 126:5-6.
Q What does this have to say to those who are faced with difficulties to come?
An = If we are His disciples then when we suffer loss it will only produce blessing in our lives. Jesus said because we are His, we will be comforted. Many of you have suffered a lot of difficulty already. The difficulty did not curse you but blessed you. Again, TV says we should always be happy now. Seek pleasure and happiness now and do not wait. But God disagrees!! To enter blessedness, we cannot be a pleasure seeker and think we will gain the comfort of God. We cannot be a great athlete or musician and never go through the “mourning” of rigorous training. We will not be blessed in athletics or music that way, or in the spiritual life.
Note: There is another way to take this verse. Some of you are now in mourning because of realizing how sinful you are, blessed are you! You will be comforted!
>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:5.
Q If we are honest, what is distasteful about the verse?
An = It does seem to be a strange concept. Blessed are the meek or the humble because they will acquire the earth. I never liked this verse when I was younger because I did not want to be a wimp. I equated meekness with weakness. Besides, it seems blessed are the bullies, the liars, the “self promoters” because they seem to get ahead. Jesus contradicted this.
Note: Though thinking “meekness was weakness” at first, later, I began to see that humility is a “power virtue”. Humility is only the property of the strong. It is the strong man or woman who is humble. Jesus was not weak. He boldly confronted the corruption of the leaders of His day and paid dearly (death on a cross) for doing so. He did not fear men, death or the devil. He was not self-seeking, but willing to be approached by all, including the least of His society, and willing to die for our good. Jesus was willing to appear weak to accomplish the will of God. Jesus could have torn them apart when they came to arrest them. He could have just as easily given them leprosy as cured it.
We are disciples of Jesus Christ. We do not have to brag or push others down, but we can be humble because we are His disciples. We are sons and daughters of the King, and our humility will open the world up to us. We do not need to show-off because we know who we are, just as He knew who He was.
Q Do you know someone in the church who comes close to living out this verse and proves it validity? Could you share this with us?
>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:6.
Q What is the promise given in this verse?
An = It is one of hope. We can be filled with righteousness, but we must be hungry for it. Many of us are hungry for righteousness because we have become aware of how poor we are in some key spiritual areas. Jesus says we are blessed if we are hungry for righteousness. If we want it, we will get it. I used to listen to coaches say, “Do you want to win the championship?” Then they would push us harder in practice. They constantly wanted us to choose what we really wanted: an easy practice or a winning season.
One thing that might make this verse more understandable is to realize what the word “righteousness” means in Hebrew. It means to do that which is appropriate. It is righteous or “appropriate” to love children, show respect to our elders, to help the poor, to be humble, to love God, etc. It is more a relational term than a religious term. If you keep your promises that are appropriate and God would call that “righteousness”.
Q Is it important to decide what we are hungry for?
An = We, as disciples of Jesus Christ, have to decide what we are truly hungry for. Are we hungry for a girlfriend or boyfriend, more money, or more prestige than we are hungry for righteousness?
>>>> Have everyone turn Luke 6:24-25 and you read it to them.
Note: It takes faith to want to be hungry for righteousness. If there is a heaven to gain then we are wise to seek what He tells us to seek. It is best to sacrifice the now for the later heavenly reward. This is true only if there is a God! You need to have faith to see the validity of the Sermon on the Mount. It only makes sense to believers. It is only realized to be true when it is practiced.
Note: To follow Jesus is be the quite different from the world’s way of thinking. Blessing comes from strange places. Perhaps a keyword would summarize much of what we have just read and will read is the word “reversal”.
Note: Finally, William Barclay says the “Beatitudes” are not descriptions of what we should be but congratulations on what we are!
If we are “poor in spirit”, “mourning”, “meek” and “spiritually hungry”, then congratulations! We move and dwell, whether we presently see it now, in the fullness and glory of God’s blessing.