The Beatitudes – Rejoicing Through Persecution, pt.2
Jesus promises three groups of people the kingdom of heaven: the poor in spirit, those persecuted for righteousness, and those that show compassion (Matt. 25:46).
Beatitudes (Stott)
The Beatitudes – Rejoicing Through Persecution, pt.1
When we look at this final beatitude, Jesus does not call all persecution “blessed.” Rather, it is only that persecution that arises out of a righteousness grounded in interpersonal relationships and the rights and duties we owe to one another and to God.
The Beatitudes – Making Peace, pt.2
This is the greatest of the beatitudes, for to be a peacemaker is to be adopted as the child of God. –
St. Gregory of Nyssa
The Beatitudes – Making Peace, pt.1
Here the Lord honors those who find pleasure in diligently trying to make peace, not only so far as they are themselves concerned, but also among other people, that they may help to settle ugly and tangled disputes, endure contention, guard against and prevent war and bloodshed. – Martin Luther
The Beatitudes – Growing More Holy, pt.2
Although the pure in heart cannot see God’s Essence, we can see God’s “energy”, such as his Goodness or his sanctifying Grace. Once our hearts are pure, our eyes are open to see the Divine throughout all of his Creation and especially his interaction with us.
The Beatitudes – Growing More Holy, pt.1
This Beatitude draws our attention to the purity of the internal, not the external. For “the LORD does not judge on outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7.
The Beatitudes – Showing Mercy, pt.2
Mercy is the very essence of who God is – “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Exodus 24:6
The Beatitudes – Showing Mercy, pt.1
Being merciful means to (1) take pleasure in forgiving others of their sins and faults and (2) doing works of compassion for those in need.
The Beatitudes – Becoming Righteous, pt.2
Jesus says that his “food is to do the will of him who sent me.” Therefore, our hunger, like Jesus’, is satisfied by doing the Divine Will.
The Beatitudes – Becoming Righteous, pt.1
Throughout Scripture, “righteousness” arises not simply in the negative of doing no harm, but includes the affirmative duties to “show mercy and compassion on the outcast, the oppressed, the weak, the orphan, and the widow” and “to have a burning compassion for the oppressed.”