Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-6

Matt. 5:3-6
(3)  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
(5)  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
(6)  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled

I.      Poor in spirit

A.         This is referring to someone who realizes that they are spiritually a beggar.  In and of ourselves, we have nothing (in truth), but do we know this and believe it and embrace this truth.  A proud sinner can’t make it to Heaven because he doesn’t even see himself as spiritually impoverished.

B.           How amazing that God’s Kingdom is promised to the poor in spirit.  What great contradiction, that the poor inherits a Kingdom!  But that is what happens when a poor sinner comes to God in humility of spirit and casts his soul upon the Lord Jesus Christ.  He hath made us kings and priests! (Rev. 1:6).

II.    Mourners

A.         Only a great tragedy or grief can cause mourning.  When a sinner is convicted or convinced in their heart of their great sin against a thrice holy God, there can be no other heart attitude but that of mourning.  The great sorrowing over sin is felt throughout the person’s being.

B.           Once more, the precious promise from Christ’s lips says: “they shall be comforted.”  What a wonderful promise from God, He shall wipe away our tears, He will give us the oil of joy for our mourning (Isa. 61:3).

III.   Meek and meekness

A.         The idea of meekness isn’t weakness, rather it is being mild or humble.  Meekness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, it is bestowed upon us at the point of Salvation.  And truly, a sinner who is void of humility will never see his need to run to the Saviour.  Very similar to v.5.

B.           Another seemingly contradiction, that the meek inherits what many push and shove, kill and die for.  God turns our ways upside down.  His grace enables us to be what we should be.  We are heirs of the new earth, the new heavens too, but also we become joint-heirs together with Christ and will also be able to be glorified one day. (Rom. 8:17)

IV.   Hungry and Thirsty

A.         No doubt we all have felt hungry and thirsty at some point in our lives.  But the question is, what are we hungering and thirsting after?  In the passage, it says: “after righteousness.”  There is a heart attitude of desiring to see God’s righteousness applied and exacted in that person’s heart, and everywhere else too.

B.           The promise is that “they shall be filled.” That is Christ will alone can satisfy the convicted heart of its desire for righteousness.  Only God can do this work.  It is God who produces that hunger and thirst, and it is God who can meet that need.  (Rev. 22:17)