i would like to reiterate and expound upon a few points:
1) people committed to Jesus followed Him, which is relevant for us today. we need to follow Jesus in our everyday lives, just as if we were physically going out to the hillside with Him to hear what He had to say. today we can do this by being committed to a relationship with the Word of God. we can follow Jesus by following His Word. this won't always be easy, just like making the dusty, dry, trek out to the hillside and then being faced with a mountain to climb wasn't easy for His followers, but they were committed...they didn't take off to the beach :-) following Jesus takes effort, but the effort is well worth it because of the blessings in store. we need to hear what He has to say by following His Word.
2) Jesus wants the very best for us, hence His own commitment to apprentice His followers. since they were so committed to Jesus and His ministry, taking the time to follow Him, Jesus carefully selected an environment that would be conducive to teaching (after all, the beatitudes are the beginning of Jesus' longest recorded sermon, found in matthew 5-7). on this occasion, Jesus chose a quiet place where He could sit down and instruct, away from the distractions of the bustling galilean fishing village of capernaum, which was also a chief commercial and social centre of the area during Jesus' ministry. Jesus wanted to give His undivided attention to His followers so that they could hear some of His most central teachings. this meant getting away from commerce and socialization, and sometimes we will need to remove ourselves from those things as well, so that we can take advantage of the best that Jesus has for us.
the beatitudes outline a number of occasions or states that promise us blessing when we are in that particular place in our lives...different 'attitudes,' if you will. When you're in the 'attitude' of ________ (pick any one of the beatitudes: humble, sorrowful, patient, hungry & thirsty for God, merciful, honest, peaceful, persecuted, joyful), this is what will 'be:' ________(again, pick the corresponding beatitude: you'll have more of God, you'll be comforted, you'll inherit the earth, you'll be filled, you'll be shown mercy, you will see God, you will be called the children of God, you will attain the Kingdom of Heaven, you will have a great reward in Heaven).
i gave some thought to the first beatitude, that of being poor in spirit. when we empty ourselves of ourselves, it becomes about 'less of me and more of Him.' when realize we can't do it on our own, we actually gain more strength with that recognition. james 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." humility opens the door for grace, a demonstration God's unmerited favour and extravagant care, whereby we get what we don't deserve and don't get what we do deserve. in a world that seeks to subvert our attention from God with all the distractions of life, 2 peter 3:18 tells us that we can "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." when we get to the end of ourselves and the end of our rope, and our attitude shifts from wanting to do it all on our own, we have the promise that our humility will help us attain the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus wraps up the beatitudes by telling His followers that they are the salt of the earth (matthew 5:11-14). we can't live a watered down life where anything goes. rather, we need to basically start shaking off some of the salt to make those around us thirsty for what we've got. we need to "let [our] good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise [our] Heavenly Father," because it's all about Him. don't dilute the Word of God in your life or what God has done for you; share it, spread it, sprinkle it so that the world will also seek what preserves us...the grace of God "that has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. and we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. we should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God...He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very people, totally committed to doing good deeds" (titus 2:11-14).
as promised, here's the beatitudes passage:
1-2 when Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. this is what he said:
3 “you’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. with less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “you’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “you’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. that’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “you’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “you’re blessed when you care. at the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “you’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “you’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. that’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “you’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. the persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. what it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. you can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! and all heaven applauds. and know that you are in good company. my prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
be blessed!
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