As we’ve been working our way through the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 — which is always an incredible experience — I’ve been struck by yet another thing afresh.
There is a narrative flow to the Beatitudes. They’re not a random list of spiritual virtues. Each one leads to the next, building toward something breathtaking.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” — Matthew 5:1–12
The Thread Running Through
Those poor in spirit are those lacking the impetus and power to change their circumstances. These are the people most liable to be mourning. They also have the most reason to mourn, likely due to injustice and the consequences of evil actions.
The meek of Psalm 37 are those who do not fret because of those who are evil — they commit their way to the Lord and trust in him, allowing God to be the judge despite surrounding injustice.
Those who acknowledge God’s role as judge in the face of injustice are those who will most certainly hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will realise their own need for mercy. And here’s the thing — mercy is the centre of the centre of this body of teaching. Those who show mercy will receive mercy, and they reflect the very heart of God.
Those who show mercy and truly see God’s mercy in their lives are those who are pure in heart — they reflect the heart of God, and truly see God.
Those who are reflecting the heart of God will seek peace for themselves and those around them.
But peace-making is not a popular activity — and actively seeking it will get you in trouble. These are the people who are persecuted because of righteousness.
And the pinnacle of righteousness is Jesus himself. It is him that you’re truly representing when you live out this definition of “the good life” — that life of the kingdom of heaven.
The Promises
And in all these things: yours is the kingdom of heaven. You will be comforted. You will inherit the earth. You will be filled with righteousness. You will be shown mercy. You will see God. You will be called children of God. Yours will be the kingdom of heaven, and great is your reward indeed!
Can you see how every Beatitude flows into the next? How poverty of spirit leads to mourning, mourning to meekness, meekness to hunger for righteousness — and how that hunger, when it meets mercy, purifies the heart and produces peacemakers?
It’s not a checklist. It’s a journey. And the destination is Jesus himself.
Maranatha!