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Matthew 5:3-12 – The Beatitudes Come Spiritually
Finally, and as a wrap-around to our first point, each of the eight blessed pronouncements is spiritual in nature. Our society, much like every society that is not the kingdom of God, values the opposites.
Materialism is a danger to every person, even Christians. That is why even though beginning His sermon with “blessed are the poor in Spirit” Jesus still warns against treasures on earth.
Matthew 6:19-21 (HCSB) 19) “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20) But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
This is how the Beatitudes are re-written by the world:
- Blessed are the rich. For they can buy anything in the kingdom they want.
- Blessed are those who have it good and mourn over nothing. For they don’t need comfort.
- Blessed are those who are conniving. For they fight with family over an inheritance.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after the latest and greatest “whatevers.” For they will continually be filled by being first and better then the rest.
- Blessed are those who don’t show mercy. For mercy is for losers.
- Blessed are those who not bothered by purity. For they will see success in whatever they do over those who have standards.
- Blessed are those who take what they want. For they will be called winners.
- Blessed are those who are the persecutors. For they rule over the weak.
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