THE BEATITUDES

Newsletter 227 January 7, 2011

One commentary notes that three fifths of the book of Matthew is composed of direct quotations from the words of Jesus. That would be the red letters in your red letter New Testament. Whether he was speaking directly for the benefit of the disciples, or for the assembled multitudes is not really clear. What he said would be heard by all, and this first twelve verses form the basis which he will expand over the next three chapters of that we call, the Sermon on the Mount, and this sermon is typical of all his teaching ministry.

He began in the same way most teachers did in his day. He sat down and probably began to teach his disciples, with the multitude listening in. At that time, His method became very different. He did not expound on a portion of the Law. He spoke with authority. What he said, and how he said it, was totally different, and they were amazed. No teacher they had ever heard, taught in this way..

Matthew 5:1-12 (King James Version)

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: (Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, Mark 3:13, Luke 6:17, Luke 9:28, John 6:3, John 6:15)

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (Matthew 13:35, Acts 8:35, Acts 10:34, Acts 19:14)

We, and they, understand the words, but what did he mean?

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 6:20-23, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 19:14, Matthew 25:34, Mark 10:14, Luke 6:20, Luke 22:29f)

In their world, as in ours today, thinks in material ways. To be poor is not good. It is not to be sought. It is something to be avoided. We think of the poor, somehow, as being failures. Today people choose to gain a college degree with their eye on the financial rewards that would make possible, so colleges use this as a lure to gain students. The higher the degree, the greater the hope for financial rewards. Christians need to think in Spiritual terms. We need to seek that which is lasting, eternal.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Isaiah 61:2, John 16:20, Revelation 7:17)

The world thinks of mourning as negative, but unless we are mournful over Spiritual relationships, whether our own or of the body, the church, there is not likely to be any change made.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:11)

This is meekness as opposed to pride, not weakness. The Pharisees were a proud, stiff necked people. They took pride in their imagined superiority over others.

I have a lovely guest towel given to me by the Alumni office of the Lincoln Christian University. It is a gift intended to be a reminder that Jesus took a towel and washed the feet of his disciples. He came to serve. Christians are here to serve. This is my reminder.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Isaiah 55:1, 2 John 4:14, 2 John 6:45f, 2 John 7:37)

Seek the truth and you will find it. Years ago, I started to offer basic studies through the mail. They swept throughout English speaking African nations and resulted in a number of men seeking greater teaching. Invitations come to come work in their lands came from four different countries. Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Southern Rhodesia, as they were called then. One of those countries now has a Christian University, and the others have their own missionaries. Where a hunger and thirst are created, God makes a plan. He answers every sincere prayer. The result is schools, hospitals, universities, and above all, churches. He will make a way.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Proverbs 11:17, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 15, Matthew 18:33-35)

When we learn to be loving and forgiving of others, God will do the same for us when we come to stand before Him.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Psalm 24:4, Hebrews 12:14, 1 John 3:2, Revelation 22:4)

From the heart of mankind arise evil thoughts and criminal acts. From the pure heart, comes loving concern. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:45, Luke 6:35, Romans 8:14)

“Do unto others as you would they should do unto you.”

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (1 Peter 3:14, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 9:14, Luke 6:20, Luke 22:29)

Christ was persecuted. I understand that world wide there is more persecution for faith than ever before. If he was persecuted, his body, the church, will continue to be as well.
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11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (1 Peter 4:14)

There will always be those who are quick to speak evil of others.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (2 Chronicles 36:16, Matthew 23:37, Acts 7:52, 1 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 11:33, James 5:10)

True joy comes through the knowledge that you are going your best to serve the Lord.

The beatitudes are to the New Testament, what the ten commandments were to the Old Testament. They don’t replace the ten commandments, they expand them and apply them through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JANUARY

9th. Sunday – Genesis 19, 20, Matthew 8, Psalm 7:1-9
10th. Monday – Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Tuesday – Genesis 24. Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 8
12th. Wednesday-- Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33
13th. Thursday - Genesis 27, 28, Mathew 10:24-42, Psalm 9:1-6
14th. Friday – Genesis 29, 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 9:7-12
15th. Saturday-- Genesis 31, Matthew 12:1-21 Psalm 9:13-20

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33
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MONEY

Money may be the husk of many things but not the kernel. It brings you food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; acquaintance, but not friends; servants, but not loyalty; days of joy, but not peace or happiness.
- Henrik Ibsen

An old miser kept a tame jackdaw, that used to steal pieces of money, and hide them in a hole, which a cat observing, asked, "Why he would hoard up those round shining things that he could make no use of?" "Why," said the jackdaw, "my master has a whole chestfull, and makes no more use of them that I do."
- Jonathan Swift

Money is human happiness in the abstract: he, then, who is no longer capable of enjoying human happiness in the concrete devotes his heart entirely to money.
- Arthur Schopenhauer

If moral behavior were simply following rules, we could program a computer to be moral.
- Samuel P. Ginde