Adapted for GanTV.com from Malcolm Smith’s The Joyous Life, episode 2.
The Beatitudes: Blessed are You
The Beatitudes, a profound segment of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus taught, is forming a picture to His disciples of a new Kingdom life that isn’t an outward place but an inward truth experienced by divine grace. These declarations by Jesus are a promise, of being blessed in different ways we will experience the Kingdom of God within us. Understanding the Beatitudes is a beautiful reflection of God’s heart and provides a peek into the nature of His love.
The Wisdom of the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are a set of teachings from Jesus Christ that outline and shed light not only on His heart but what the Kingdom of God reflect about the nature of our God as spoken by Jesus on the Mount of Olives. Matthew 5:3-12; Blessed are the poor in the spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are those mourning, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those having been persecuted on account of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are you when they shall insult you and shall persecute you, and lying shall say all kinds of evil against you on account of Me. Rejoice and exult, because great is your reward in the heavens; for thus they persecuted the prophets before you.
The Beatitudes, reflect divine grace and some core values of life lived in the Kingdom of God.
The Beatitudes: More Than Just Words
The Beatitudes aren’t just statements; they serve as a telescope, offering a glimpse into the vibrant nature of the Kingdom. It’s not found out there, or over here, but an abiding Christ presence deep within us. These words reflect the reality of lives transformed by Christ, and reflections of our nature. Often viewed as lofty ideals, they truly resonate with our core. While “Beatitudes” might conjure up images of religious rituals or unattainable perfection, they serve to foreshadow the beautiful, lived-out realities as partakers of God’s divine nature. Let’s embrace this journey together!
Interested in learning more on this topic? Watch the Video: HERE
Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” teach us about a call to humility and reveal a God whose nature embodies meekness. Being “poor in spirit” is not about material poverty; rather, it emphasizes our human vulnerability and highlights that a key aspect of God’s essence is His humility. Acknowledging our limitations is not a sign of weakness; it serves as a reminder that we were never meant to face life’s challenges alone. We are designed to draw upon His divine wisdom and strength.
Similarly, the phrase, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” speaks to God’s promise of presence and comfort amidst life’s sorrows. When we mourn we are not alone. As a body, mourning extends beyond personal grief to encompass sorrow for the suffering of others and the injustices we witness. This reveals the truth that God is unwavering in presence and compassion for all who mourn.
Each Beatitude offers a glimpse into the Kingdom of God as an inner reality. This kingdom is not defined by borders or power; instead, it is characterized by transformed hearts through God’s grace. It presents divine principles that deepen our understanding of our own nature, fostering love and promoting peace and reconciliation within our communities. Christ embodies the Beatitudes, teaching us the true value of joy and peace. Through Him, we become instruments of divine love in a world that desperately needs it. The Beatitudes reflect God’s heart, promising that the compassion, humility, and love we cultivate will create a ripple effect in our daily interactions as we grow in grace and knowledge throughout our faith journey.
Beatitudes: Humility is our New Nature
Blessed are the meek and meekness is not wishy washy weakness. It is very connected to humility and describes a person who has military might and authority to attack, yet chooses to not. Humility isn’t just a virtue; it’s a deeply rooted well where we discover transformation! Humility is a part of our new creation identity, and it is in humillity we unlock fresh perspectives and experiences in our daily relationships that release life. Humility helps us recognize our limitations, to open our hearts to learn from others, forging deeper connections and enhancing our understanding of our place in the universe. Remember, we were crucified with Christ—He is our new nature! We release the old, shedding old mindsets looking into the eyes of Christ we see ourselves as we truly our, compassionate, humble and lovers of true wisdom. Let’s dive into how Humility is our new nature and as we grow in understanding and knowledge, the fruit of this is exponential. Our relationships are healed and lives are richer and more fulfilling!
Humility is the ability to perceive ourselves as God sees us. Our hearts are pure, we know longer identify as a sinner, but as a saint. We can see ourselves and others as one with God and begin to recognize the value of others, believer or unbeliever. This fosters a deeper connection with the world around us. We are humble in nature because He is humble in nature. We are children of God and as He is, so are we in this world. He has placed inside our hearts long before we even knew it, His nature. Knowing Him, seeing His face unveiled to us helps cultivate a sense of awe and wonder at life’s mysteries. We are people who are willing to learn from others, not judge or criticize and as Jesus showed us, wash even the feet of our betrayers. experiences. Humility involves active listening, sometimes compromising our desire to choose ourselves first instead prioritizing the needs of others over our own. Because this is who we area!
Beatitudes: The Importance of Compassion and Kindness
Blessed are the pure in heart. Compassion and kindness arise naturally from a pure heart and naturally flow outwardly to others. We are nurturing, empathetic and understanding because He is the same. Compassionate eyes allow us to see situations through a new lens, and another person’s eyes, inspiring responses characterized by kindness and generosity. Kindness reflects our shared humanity, motivating us to go out of our way to help others and offer love and care to those in need, because ultimately we are all part of one family. In the Christian tradition, these virtues embody God’s love and care for the greater of humanity. We are not alone and it is interesting to note that the etymology of the word kindness is kinship. We are not just a community but family. As kind and compassionate people we embody the spirit of the Beatitudes, reflecting Christ’s life and contributing to a world driven by His divine love and grace.
The Kingdom of God: The Beatitudes Lived Out
The Kingdom of God, as described in the Beatitudes, goes beyond physical boundaries and societal constructs. It represents an internal state where God’s love and grace thrive within us, nurturing our spirits and guiding our actions in Christ. Jesus challenged the notion of an external kingdom filled with regal splendor and political power, introducing a revolutionary idea—a kingdom that begins deep within us and transcends the material world in Christ.
This transformation reaches far beyond external achievements such as wealth and status although these are wonderful gifts from God, but the greater reality is about internal growth. As bearers of Kingdom values—love, mercy, and peace—in Christ, we have a higher purpose. The kingdom of God is not out there in things we touch but instead is in our righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). It is about knowing we are found in Him, “our righteousness”, a state of being rooted in divine love, “our peace”, empowered by the Holy Spirit in the fullness of God’s presence in Christ, “our joy”.
The Beatitudes are not a “to do” list. They represent our true essence and divine inheritance. They embody Kingdom values of humility, grace, purity of heart, fearlessness, in which we can all transcend the chaos of the world. The inner kingdom, the Christ within us, is our source of joy and we remain unaffected by external circumstances. Our hearts are pure and Blessed are the pure in heart because we will not only see God but become His nature which emanates to a world needing to know who they are in Christ. As transformed individuals, we have the power to impact those around us, and in a ripple effect spread the good news and essence of the Kingdom throughout all of our communities and beyond. Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called sons of God.
Interested in learning more on this topic? Watch the Video: HERE
Joy and Blessing: The Heart of the Beatitudes
Let’s talk about blessing—our lives in Christ enriched with joy, purpose, and fulfillment, blessed with all spiritual blessings. The term “blessed” transcends mere happiness; it embodies a deep inner state of divine favor and joy that resonates within our mind, body, soul and spirit, through our union. As divine partakers, we partake in the joy of God, which surpasses all circumstances no matter how chaotic they may seem. Holy Spirit is our strengthener and comforter. Joy, as articulated in the Beatitudes, is independent of external circumstances or fleeting pleasures; rather, it is a precious gift from God. Joy flows like fine wine as a fruit of our life in Christ and His divine purpose fused with us. It was for the joy set before Jesus Christ that He went to the cross knowing He would bring us back into relationship. Joy serves as a testament to God’s abiding presence within us, and is a foundation to sustaining peace through life’s challenges.
Furthermore, this joy is not meant to be experienced in isolation; it is intended to be shared within our communities and those around us. Joy is contagious and spreads to others naturally. Our cup runs over in an abundance of joy and genuine joyous interactions with others inspire hope and uplift those who may be struggling, reminding them of the grace of Christ that exists in every moment. Joy is our natural state in this world. Joy is a promise to our authentic living— it reflects of unconditional love for each of us. Joy is a light in a world that gravitates towards darkness and illuminates our path in harmonious life with Christ.
Reflections: The Beatitudes in Everyday Life
The Kingdom of God is a present reality, we get to live in the joy and peace of knowing God intimately. There is a sacredness in the eternal now, seeing the divine in our everyday lives and being aware of God’s presence. We are peacemakers, comfort those who mourn, respond in grace when we encounter persecution of any type, and our hearts are pure, we both see and hear God. The Beatitudes are not a work to attain but an expression of nature in the Godhead that we will experience in kingdom living. What Jesus expressed through the Beatitudes is a framework. The Beatitudes are not something to strive towards, but they provide a profound insight into the nature of God’s Kingdom. These teachings, Jesus taught don’t have to challenge us because as beloved children in Christ, we discover it is who we are. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings, humility, and compassion, and the Holy Spirit has sealed us with this guarantee. We are blessed peacemakers, comforting those who mourn, living victorious joyous lives.
It is who we are in Christ!
Watch Malcolm on Grace Awakening Network’s Hour with Malcolm Smith; Conversations with Malcolm & Cheryl
