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Scripture reading – Matthew 5
* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
Considered Christ’s inaugural address to His followers, the “Sermon on the Mount” is an exposition of the heart of Christ the King (Matthew 5-7). It declares the character of those who would be citizens of His kingdom. Like God’s Laws and Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount embodies and restates some of the greatest truths known to humanity. Today’s devotional focuses on Matthew 5:3-12.
Though not explicitly stated in Scripture, the traditional setting for Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where He taught the Beatitudes, is believed to be a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 5:1). There, seated as a teacher, Jesus taught the people eight inspiring truths known as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12).
The Beatitudes are the sum of Christ’s declaration on the actions and attitudes of heaven’s citizens, meant to be lived on earth. Each Beatitude begins with the word “Blessed” (Matthew 5:3-12). I suggest the following as a brief statement of what it means to be blessed:
The “Blessed” live in a state of joy and contentment that is independent of their circumstances.
The Blessed: The Person and The Promise
Matthew 5:3 is the foundation of the Beatitudes and reads: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The “poor in spirit” recognize their spiritual poverty apart from Christ. They are promised “the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3b). The second Beatitude is “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The righteous mourn because they are sensitive to sin, and they are comforted, knowing that their sins are forgiven (Matthew 5:4).
The third Beatitude declares that the blessed are “meek” and are promised, “they shall inherit the earth”(Matthew 5:5). The meek accept by faith that God’s dealings are good and submit without question. The fourth Beatitude states that the blessed “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” They have an appetite for righteousness and are promised, “they shall be filled” [i.e., satisfied, wanting for nothing; Matthew 5:6].
The fifth Beatitude states, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). The merciful do not return evil for evil or insult for insult. They are not vindictive, nor do they seek revenge. They accept that vengeance belongs to the LORD. What promise is given to those who show mercy to others? They will receive mercy, undeserved favor, and forgiveness (Matthew 5:7).
The sixth Beatitude promises that the “pure in heart…shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). They are sincere and free from duplicity that exposes pretense in heart and thought (James 1:8). (Fanny Crosby, the blind poet and gospel songwriter, wrote in her hymn “Saved by Grace”: “I shall see Him [Christ] face to face, and tell the story—saved by grace.”)
The seventh Beatitude is for the peacemakers: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The world counsels that to be a peacemaker, one must be willing to compromise. Christ, however, taught His followers that “the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9) will be identified as “the children of God” (Matthew 5:9b). What does a peacemaker do? He introduces others to the peace that can be found only in Christ.
Finally, the eighth Beatitude teaches, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:10-12).
Closing thoughts
The righteous, according to Matthew 5:11, face three forms of persecution. They will be reviled (mocked and disparaged for their character and motives). They will be persecuted(suffering personal confrontations that are physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual). And they will face verbal persecution, for the wicked will “say all manner of evil against [believers] falsely, for [Christ’s] sake” (Matthew 5:11). Verbal persecution comes in the form of lies, innuendos, and questions raised about one’s motive.
As difficult as it may seem (and it is), the attitude of the persecuted should be this: “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad [jumping and leaping for joy]: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:12).
How can the “Blessed” rejoice when they are persecuted? They recognize that troubles and trials serve a purpose in the providence of God’s sovereignty (James 1:2-4). After all, the “Blessed” know, “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Questions to ponder from Matthew 5:13-32.
1) What two types (examples) did Jesus use to illustrate the character and influence of believers in the world? (Matthew 5:13-14)
2) Did Jesus come to abolish the law and commandments? (Matthew 5:17-19)
3) What should a believer do when he knows he has offended another believer? (Matthew 5:23-24)
4) What did Jesus say is equivalent to committing adultery? (Matthew 5:27-28)
5) What is the only permissible reason for divorce? (Matthew 5:31-32)
Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith
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The post The Sermon on the Mount (part 1): The Beatitudes (Matthew 5) appeared first on “From The Heart of A Shepherd” by Pastor Travis D. Smith.
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