The Beatitudes with the capitalization refer to the eight blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew 5:3-11. This teaching was done by Jesus when he noticed the multitude gathered, a way to reach out to many people about various means in which one is considered blessed. In Matthew 5:3 he started by saying "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." One striking question is: who are the poor in spirit? And what makes one poor in spirit?
First, he wanted to let the people know that humility and one who relies completely on God were the candidates for heaven. In a kingdom, there's only one ruler, and in God's kingdom, only God is king, and to be a part of that kingdom, one trait most desired is humility and a man who knows he's empty inside and relies only on God in all that he does. There's no room for someone with pride or who feels he knows it all. Only humility is a gate pass in a kingdom where God dwells.
Image generated using Gemini AI
The next was blessing to those who mourn. It isn't a mourning for the lost, but mourning that shows how deeply we've fallen and need to be saved. Mourning that shows a heart of repentance over our sins and filthiness. If we realize daily our wrongs and mourn from a heart of sincerity, then comfort is assured to us. Reading the remaining verses talks about blessings for the meek, for those who hunger and thirst, for the merciful, for the peacemaker and those persecuted, and the blessings go on and on until verse 11.
These teachings wrapped up the entire structure of God's kingdom, the earthly fate of believers, a strategic way to live in peace and enjoy mercy. He assured those who intend to go by the teachings how great a reward awaits them. We are the salt of the earth and we are expected to be the savour that gives a taste to the world. We as believers should be the light of the world and not put it under a bushel, and our light is expected to be seen in the light of the teachings on the mount.
