The Beatitudes are linked to the Ten Commands. We are to obey the Ten Commands, and in the
Beatitudes Jesus showed us how we are to obey the Ten commands in the new
covenant Jesus preached.
Matthew 5:17-19 spoke about Jesus who said
He was here not to abolish the Law but to fulfil the Law. Therefore, Matthew 5:17-19 are linked to
Matthew 5:1-12.
The Beatitudes seem to be impossible to
comply and they seem to contradict what we are being told now a days.
What is Jesus saying in the Beatitudes?
These are spiritual characters of the
kingdom of heaven. According to Dr.
Chung, the Beatitudes are the living out of the Ten Commands in the New
Covenants of Jesus Christ. If we want to
fellow Jesus we must obey the Law.
Dr. Chung said, “The Ten Commands is like
going the first mile, and the Beatitudes are going the second mile”.
The Word of God are like our compass, we
are guided by God’s Words.
The word “Blessed” in Greek is “Makarios”.
According to Dr.Chung the land of Greece is very blessed because they have the
most fertile land in the world.
“Blessed” is everything good, also means fertile, and what desired for
us. It is from God and not of us. A blessed person is a person whose life is in
God.
In Luke 11:28 Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word
of God and obey it”.
The blessings of God are to be enjoyed.
Beatitudes
Matthew chapter 5: 1-12
V.3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The “poor” here does not refer to just
economic disadvantage. It also refers to
spiritual deficiency. People who are
poor and have nothing they depended on God.
Dr. Chung quoted Mother Teresa who said, “you will never know Jesus is
who you need, until Jesus is all you have”. ( paraphrase ).
John 15:5 is about abiding in Jesus
Luke 12:32 do not be afraid God is pleased
to give us His Kingdom
V.4 “Blessed
are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
According to Dr. Chung “mourn” means a)
mourn during hard times, like family members who died b) mourn with deep sorrow
due to wickedness and evil.
Those who mourn are blessed, and there is
the spiritual side. Because as they
mourned, they will be comforted. This
comfort is from God, and is not from us.
God knows how to comfort us in our time of sorrows.
V.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will
inherit the earth.”
“Meek” refers to gentleness. Also means humility towards God and
others. It is not weakness. A meek person is blessed and happy. It is not about ourselves but meekness is
about God’s given grace.
V.6 “Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
a) Those who are in need materially
V.7 “Blessed
are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”
Micah 6:8
a)
To act justly
b)
To love mercy
c)
To walk humbly with God
V.8 “Blessed
are the pure in heart as they will see God”
Don’t look at God will a squint eyes, where
the images are distorted. Look at Him for who He is in reality. Praise Him too.
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