Day 45
Sermon: The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-23
“Beatitude” is a word that comes from the Latin word “beatus,” which means “blessed” or “happy.” My oldest daughter and I were looking at a video of my 15-month-old granddaughter. She was toasting her cup against her mother’s. Janet bought those cups as a gift, and so she told me the backstory. The large cup that Ann Maries (the mother) held had the word “Blessed” written on it. The small cup held by baby Emma said, “Blessing.” What a wonderful way to view the thoughts of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5! God gives us a blessing corresponding to our quality of spirit. When we get the blessing, we are blessed.
If you are merciful, God will give you the blessing of finding mercy with him.
When you are pure in heart, God will bless you by letting you see him one day.
When you are a peacemaker, God will bless you by calling you His child.
That is just a start. There are more beatitudes in our verses for today.
Most writers will say that there are eight beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. That is true, but I am going to list them as seven. Let me explain. The eighth beatitude is about what happens to you when you are wrongly treated. The first seven are about what you are to become and thus receive the blessing. Let’s look at them:
Blessed are:
The poor in spirit.
Those who mourn.
The meek.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
The merciful.
The pure in heart.
The peacemakers.
When you become those things—meek, merciful, etc.—then God will bless you.
I know that these few words only start to tell us about the beatitudes, but let this be an encouragement for you to find a little time today, open your Bible to Matthew 5, underline each beatitude, and think about the meaning of each. You will end this day having accomplished something special.
Lonnie Davis