The Beatitudes - An Introduction

Hi there and welcome back to Van Life Devotions. Thanks for joining us in 2024. This year is going to be big for Leisl and I regarding our ministry Van Life Devotions. In February and March, we are traveling to Greece and Turkey visiting and filming at many places where the early churches commenced, letters were written to, and Jesus in the Book of Revelation gave messages to. We will be filming at each of these amazing ancient locations, and Egypt, as part of Season three of Van Life Devotions which will start after Easter.

From next week leading up to Easter, will we look at one of the amazing teachings of Jesus known as The Beatitudes from Matthew chapter 5.

Today, I want to give some background. The Beatitudes are part of Jesus’ Sermon on The Mount. It was early into Jesus’ ministry, and He was becoming well known through the region because of His teaching and healings. Matthew tells us “Large crowds…” (Matthew 4:25 NIV) followed Him and when He noticed this He went up on a side of a mountain and began to teach.  Most scholars believe the “mountainside” to be the hills alongside of the Sea of Galilee. Today the Church of the Beatitudes is built along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee – the traditional site where many believe Jesus delivered this sermon. The Church of the Beatitudes built in 1938 has an octagonal shape representing the eight blessings of the Beatitudes.

In verse two where Matthew said that Jesus “opened his mouth and taught them…” (Matthew 5:2 ESV) has a deep meaning. In the Greek language this phrase “opened his mouth” means that what Jesus shared was very important and from his heart. Matthew wanted us to know that what Jesus taught on this mountain was very much on his heart.

Most scholars believe that this sermon went for hours of heart felt teaching of what living in the Kingdom is about. And so, Matthew, under the inspiration of God, condensed these teachings to what we have today in Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7. What He taught, some scholars have described as “a Christian Manifesto of the Kingdom” and the “essence of the teaching of Jesus”.

Jesus starts His sermon with what we call The Beatitudes. The term “Beatitude” comes from the Latin word meaning “happy” or “blessed.” “Blessed” which is used in each of the beatitudes, is a very special word used of how God sees a person. Professor Peter Kreeft describes “Blessedness…” as used here, as “an objective state, not a subjective feeling” (For Heaven’s Sake, 85).

Through these 8 Beatitudes, Jesus teaches the virtues and values in life that will result in blessings and rewards applicable to all Christians. These virtues and values are almost the complete opposite to how the world thinks. Theologian N.T. Wright has written, “When God wants to sort out the world, as the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount make clear, he doesn’t send in the tanks. He sends in the meek, the broken, the justice hungry, the peacemakers, the pure-hearted and so on”.

These are the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10 (NIV) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. [7] Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. [10] Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.

Please join me for the next eight weeks as we explore each of the beatitudes, revolutionary teaching that came straight for the heart of Jesus.

Let’s Pray.

Our Father in heaven. Thank you that we have recorded what was on Jesus’ heart for us to know and live out. May these beatitudes speak again into our life. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

David Moyes