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Matthew 5:3-12 – The Blessings of the Beatitudes
Implied within each Beatitude is the unnamed benefactor of blessing – God. Such an obvious point must be made to us believers; it is so easy to forget what is obvious, and to take for granted what we know is true. That God is our blessed benefactor can be seen in the beatitudes themselves, in gifts only God has the right or power to give:
- For the kingdom of heaven is theirs (5:3,10)
- For they will be comforted (5:4)
- For they will inherit the earth (5:5)
- For they will be filled (5:6)
- For they will be shown mercy (5:7)
- For they will see God (5:8)
- For they will be called sons of God (5:9)
Nations, Empires, and Reichs, all promised kingdoms, inheriting the earth through death, war and power, granting glorious titles. All of these failed and flawed human powers tried to fulfill what man craved within but did not truly grasp how to receive. None of these have lasted, and all fallen into, or will fall into, the dusty pages of history. Even on the stages of smaller history, individuals try to carve a kingdom within their limited reach, whether homes, business, boards, or local governments. Children fight each other over the inheritances. Even within religion people crave and claim titles and recognition. All of these have failed to fulfill; for what man can give, man can take away. But God’s beatitudes continue into eternity. What a blessing.
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