Sermon on the Mount | Beatitudes

16 Jul 2019

I have compiled my insights about this wonderful passage (from the Bible). Ofcourse I couldn’t unravel the big picture, but I believe I have given my best.

Matthew 5: 1 - 12

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Intro to the passage

Why this (as recorded in bible) ?

The thing is like, Jesus has shared many teachings before Sermon on the Mount, but the message was not recorded. For example: Matt 4: 23 - ..he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues .. but actual teaching was not recorded as the Sermon on the Mount.

Timeline

  1. Jesus gets baptized
  2. Undergoes temptation episode
  3. Sermon on the mount

Luke 3:23 - Jesus started off His ministry at age: 30.

Audience

How great crowd ?

Why was there a great crowd? Obviously it was because of Jesus!

But wait, how did Jesus become so popular? What made Him a celebrity?

Post the temptation episode, following events happened:

We have a cure for leprosy now. But in those days, it was like a final stagged cancer patient with no hope. Imagine a person who can heal final stagged cancer patient with an instant treatment (not more than a minute). HashTags would have went trending in twitter.

So, this is how Jesus became a celebrity and that answers How great crowd ? quesiton.

Observations

Poor in spirit: physically poor their is the kingdom of Heaven.
Who mourn or cry shall be comforted.
The meek: quiet, gentle, patient, submissive shall inherit the earth: earthly blessings; like luxury.
Who hunger & thirst for righteousness: who desires always to do the right thing; to be good; to be holy; to be pleasing God shall be satisfied.
The merciful: shows some mercy; helping subordinates shall receive mercy; positive karma (3rd newton’s law)
Pure in heart shall see God
Peacemakers shall be called sons of God.
Who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
When been reviled, persecuted, undergoes all kinds of evil on God’s account Rejoice! Reward is great in Heaven.

Interpretation

Verse 1

Jesus went up the mountain seeing the crowd. Did Jesus wanted to be alone?

Or did He move up to address the crowd?

Disciples => refers to the 12 or the crowd (people who are earger to listen to Jesus)?

Jesus sat down. I concluded that it would have been both (the disciples and the crowd).

Verse 3

How can one be poor in Spirit?

Hmm.. refer luke 6:20. Jesus is talking about poor people. Physically poor => their trust is God or if I was poor automatically I would tend to trust God. B’coz .. nothing else can be done. still its just hypothetical.

Verse 4

People who cry out of suffering. Things will definitely change. Its a promise.

Verse 5

Its a flat rule set by God. World says: “You need to be dominant. Always speak up. Grab the chance.” Even when I look at very humble (poochi) person. It gives me this thought that they won’t survive. God says: these people who the world things is not good. These very people will inherit earth (become wealthy).

Abram being humble obeyed and got land, gold, abundant cattle, etc.!

Joseph being humble become PM of Egypt & got huge land

So worldly possessions will follow people who are not having pride and is submissive to God.

Verse 6

Doing the right thing always.

Justice; Making sure things are happening with justice.

Satisfied: the feeling of being content. Happy life. A feeling of living life with purpose (great purpose). The feeling I get when someone is benefitted by me.

Verse 7

Positive karma.

Be merciful. God shall make sure that I get mercy when needed.

How can I be merciful ? still thinking

Verse 8

Pure in heart

Being really good from the inside.

Always praying.

Never sin.

Helping people.

Not having ego.

Forgiving people.

Obeying authorities.

Being honest.

No lies.

TOO TOUGH But if I do it or if I become like it (again hypothetically). I shall see God!

Like Jacob (Gen 32:30); Moses (Exo 3:6); Isaiah (Isa 6:1).

Verse 9

Get oneself dirty inorder to bring peace.

World says - “Why to indulge in other person’s matters. Nose putting..”

Benefit: He/she shall become children of God. A prestigeous role. like Vice President.

So get involved. Get dirty or atleast TRY.

Verse 10

Getting hurt for doing the right thing.

Being questioned. Hitting the gaints and monsters knowingly that it will lead to bad consequences.

Selfless. Only focusing on the outcome (righteousness).

Even these people will be going to Heaven. Property is ready (paper works will be done instantly in Heaven).

Do I believe this? Can I believe this? Can I live exhibiting this belief in actions?

Verse 11

Being teased as Pastor. Being made fun as innocent. Am I first trying to share the Truth? or Atlease live the Truth. Practicing the Truth.

Verse 12

Reward in Heaven; Ranks shall be given in Heaven. So Rejoice! Keeping eye on the prize. B’coz the prophets; legends who were before.. also earned their badges the same way.

Application

Praise God! Atlast I have written a blog. that too after two years!