Beatitudes, What Do You Know?

[JohnDB]

The Beatitudes are a set of teachings by Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5:3-12). They describe the qualities that lead to blessing and the Kingdom of Heaven. Here is the standard version (New International Version):

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

A parallel but shorter version appears in Luke 6:20-23. These are often called the "Beatitudes" from the Latin word for "blessed" (beati). They form a beautiful, foundational part of Christian teaching.

Which is your favorite? Why?
What do you know about them?
What have you heard?
Do you ever consider this lesson from Jesus?
Focus on it more than some theological system created by a man that causes division and strife?

Why is it important to YOU?
What does it mean to YOU personally?

 

[ResidentAlien]

Jesus thought they were important enough to teach so they should be important enough to me to follow.

 

[WayneNSO]

The Beatitudes are a set of teachings by Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5:3-12). They describe the qualities that lead to blessing and the Kingdom of Heaven. Here is the standard version (New International Version):

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

A parallel but shorter version appears in Luke 6:20-23. These are often called the "Beatitudes" from the Latin word for "blessed" (beati). They form a beautiful, foundational part of Christian teaching.

Which is your favorite? Why?
What do you know about them?
What have you heard?
Do you ever consider this lesson from Jesus?
Focus on it more than some theological system created by a man that causes division and strife?

Why is it important to YOU?
What does it mean to YOU personally?

The first part of each verse lists an attribute of the believer (or how we should be), the second part of each verse an attribute of the Kingdom of God/Heaven. The verse that stands out to me is the one that says: blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth

We are not going up to heaven, heaven is coming down to us. Sometimes Christians are so focused on escaping to a heaven somewhere up in the sky, that they are no earthly good.

 

[JohnDB]

Nobody has a favorite Beatitude?
I do....

My favorite is:
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they will see God

"Pure in heart" is another way of saying "Holy of Heart"
But
We have a completely different expression today to describe the condition.....we call it single minded devotion.
And the beatitude is not in the future tense but present tense. Meaning here and now as God is ALWAYS working.....

Then....
This whole list demonstrates something about the ministry of Jesus.
In Greek or Latin the Beatitudes and the entire sermon on the mount is nice....but kinda just preachey.
However, when translated back into original ancient Aramaic it becomes divine poetry....absolutely beautiful and wonderous to see or hear. Meaning....God created this poetry to become an earworm....so it would stick in your head. The Apostles would memorize this and repeat it as well. (The whole Sermon on the Mount was poetry)

Lots and lots to know about this sermon.....

 

[Mem]

The Beatitudes are a set of teachings by Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5:3-12). They describe the qualities that lead to blessing and the Kingdom of Heaven. Here is the standard version (New International Version):

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These know they are merely homeless, and beggars for righteousness

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

These bewail their sin that besets them

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

These are humble and lowly of heart

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

see beatitude 1

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

These know judgment is God's alone

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

These behold the Son, the beloved of the Father.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

These are at rest in the Son

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These persevere by faith

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

These fear God and not man.

A parallel but shorter version appears in Luke 6:20-23. These are often called the "Beatitudes" from the Latin word for "blessed" (beati). They form a beautiful, foundational part of Christian teaching.

Which is your favorite? Why?
What do you know about them?
What have you heard?
Do you ever consider this lesson from Jesus?
Focus on it more than some theological system created by a man that causes division and strife?

Why is it important to YOU?
What does it mean to YOU personally?

The homesick see the light that leads them back to the love of their father's house and walk in it. Ps 48:14

 

[Mem]

Nobody has a favorite Beatitude?
I do....

My favorite is:
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they will see God

"Pure in heart" is another way of saying "Holy of Heart"
But
We have a completely different expression today to describe the condition.....we call it single minded devotion.
And the beatitude is not in the future tense but present tense. Meaning here and now as God is ALWAYS working.....

I'd pick this one also.

Then....
This whole list demonstrates something about the ministry of Jesus.
In Greek or Latin the Beatitudes and the entire sermon on the mount is nice....but kinda just preachey.
However, when translated back into original ancient Aramaic it becomes divine poetry....absolutely beautiful and wonderous to see or hear. Meaning....God created this poetry to become an earworm....so it would stick in your head. The Apostles would memorize this and repeat it as well. (The whole Sermon on the Mount was poetry)

Lots and lots to know about this sermon.....

The greek for pure is 'katharoi' meaning clean and is the root of 'catharsis,' and in hebrew is lebare meaning 'pure; clear; sincere, and it's 'bar,' the same word for 'son,' which to me hints toward the clear conscience of an innocent child.

 

[Suze]

The first part of each verse lists an attribute of the believer (or how we should be), the second part of each verse an attribute of the Kingdom of God/Heaven. The verse that stands out to me is the one that says: blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth

We are not going up to heaven, heaven is coming down to us. Sometimes Christians are so focused on escaping to a heaven somewhere up in the sky, that they are no earthly good.

Waiting for the return of Christ .

 

[timf]

Jesus thought they were important enough to teach so they should be important enough to me to follow.

These were a description of kingdom qualities that would apply to the faithful of Israel who would enter the promised earthly kingdom. Just as the rich young ruler was told that to be perfect (complete) he should sell all he had and give to the poor.

The "poor in spirit" are those who have nothing and there for no worldly attachments or expectations and are thus free to be completely devoted to God. The Greek word for "poor" is the sound one makes when spitting as if the poor needed even more to go wrong.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Jesus thought they were important enough to teach so they should be important enough to me to follow.

These were a description of kingdom qualities that would apply to the faithful of Israel who would enter the promised earthly kingdom. Just as the rich young ruler was told that to be perfect (complete) he should sell all he had and give to the poor.

The "poor in spirit" are those who have nothing and there for no worldly attachments or expectations and are thus free to be completely devoted to God. The Greek word for "poor" is the sound one makes when spitting as if the poor needed even more to go wrong.

I try to sty away from over analyzing and picking scripture apart. I just read it and try to apply what it says.

 

[JohnDB]

I try to sty away from over analyzing and picking scripture apart. I just read it and try to apply what it says.

Each one of these beatitudes is a highly specific and named blessing God is handing out as if it was a piece of candy in his pocket.

Gifts from God are not trivial. Ever.

And these, because they are poetry require some additional study to comprehend. For example "Meek" is not really meek as you or I might consider it....it was more like a person who doesnt over react to everything. Doesnt get into a uncontrolled rage....that kind of thing.
It doesn't say a thing about determined justice or anything like that....just being calm and not rash. That's the meek its talking about. We just dont really have the same language.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Each one of these beatitudes is a highly specific and named blessing God is handing out as if it was a piece of candy in his pocket.

Gifts from God are not trivial. Ever.

And these, because they are poetry require some additional study to comprehend. For example "Meek" is not really meek as you or I might consider it....it was more like a person who doesnt over react to everything. Doesnt get into a uncontrolled rage....that kind of thing.
It doesn't say a thing about determined justice or anything like that....just being calm and not rash. That's the meek its talking about. We just dont really have the same language.

Go ahead, study and analyze; I didn't say you couldn't.

 

[JohnDB]

Go ahead, study and analyze; I didn't say you couldn't.

You dont care Gifts from God?