“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4. Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.
5. Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.
6. Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.
7. Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.
8. Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God.
9. Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]
The first three bestowed and pronounced “Blessings” of Mt.5:3-9 are reflections of the relationship that the person of Christ Jesus is continually forming and building with His chosen sinner/children in this world. These Blessings emphasize the absolute necessity that exists for us in regards to – the perfect Righteousness of God apart from the Law – that we need – before we can be perfectly accepted and approved by holy, holy, holy God!
This Perfect Righteousness is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ! God sent Him – and He came into this sinful world “in the likeness of our sinful flesh” [Ro.8:3] and vicariously – He has performed for us – as our Substitute – all of God’s demanded perfect obedience in order to make us perfectly accepted and approved in God’s holy, holy, holy Presence. Praise His Name!
It is by virtue of His Perfect Eternal Righteousness that we have been Eternally Saved! This is the reason why all of God’s sinner/children fulfill – while still being in this fallen-in-sin world – the fourth Blessing as is described in Mt.5:6> “Blessed are they that (Lit.) are hungering and thirsting after Righteousness – for they shall be filled!” This is the Righteousness that we constantly desire. This Righteousness is found only in person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Holy Bread and Water of Life Eternal! We are encouraged from 2Pe.3:18 to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever Amen”
Now, then, the next three “Blessings” – become characteristic descriptions of each one of God’s quickened and regenerated sinner/children. All those who have been blessed with the first four “Blessings”. Mt.5:7 tells us: “Blessed are the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.” Which verse tells us that those blessed by God with His mercy – in His being merciful unto them – are then attributed (by His grace) with the same characteristic. Mercy is: Us, not getting from God what we do deserve; and Grace is: Us, receiving from God – all that we do not (even cannot) deserve! It’s a beautiful thing!
This is where the evidence of our having been blessed with the first four “Blessings” begins to become clear and plain. We begin to live out an active demonstration of these same character traits unto those around us – that our loving Lord and Savior has shown unto us! E.g. Eph.4:32 tells us: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted – forgiving one another – even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Or, Col.3:12-13: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…even as Christ forgave you – so also do ye!” Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
