Walking as a True Disciple

Bible Passage: Matthew 5:2-12

Summary: The Beatitudes present a radical perspective on what it means to live a blessed life according to Jesus, that leads us to be models of Christian discipleship.

Teaching: This Scripture passage teaches us that true discipleship involves expressing the characteristics highlighted in the Beatitudes, which not only sets us apart but also draws others to Christ through our example of authentic faith and actions.

Big Idea: Discipleship, as portrayed in the Beatitudes, calls us to reflect Christ's character through our actions and attitudes, welcoming those who seem unblessed and showing them the path to true blessing and fulfillment.

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1. Spiritual Poverty

Matthew 5:2–3 NASB95

He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The common scene depicting the Sermon on the Mount is of Jesus on the mountain preaching to a great crowd below. However, it is to be noted that the Sermon on the Mount was given to the disciples, not to the multitudes. Matthew says that Jesus’ disciples “came to Him” and He taught “them”—His disciples. Luke’s account affirms this fact, distinguishing clearly between the crowd and the disciples (Lu.6:18–19). Jesus’ purpose in teaching His disciples these powerful truths was to prepare them for their ministry to the multitudes.

Jesus began each of the Beatitudes with the word “blessed”. The attitudes Jesus taught are the basis of a blessed life. And a blessed life is the earthly reward for cultivating and displaying these attitudes.

To be “blessed” is what people seek. The problem is that they seek it in the things of this world: position, money, fame, power, and sensual pleasure.

Jesus said, first, that the poor in spirit are blessed. They are given the kingdom of heaven. What does “poor in spirit” mean? Being poor in spirit does not mean that a person must be poverty-stricken and financially poor. Hunger, nakedness, and slums are not pleasing to God, especially in a world of plenty. Christ is not talking about material poverty. He means what He says: poor in spirit. He is talking about spiritual poverty. Being “poor in spirit” means the following:

➢ It is acknowledging our utter helplessness before God, our spiritual poverty, our spiritual need. We are spiritually bankrupt, and we are solely dependent on God to help us.

➢ It is acknowledging our utter deficiency in facing life and eternity apart from God. It is acknowledging that the real blessings of life and eternity come only from a right relationship with God.

➢ It is acknowledging our utter lack of superiority before all others and our spiritual deadness before God. If we are poor in spirit, we readily admit that we are no better, no richer, no more superior than the next person—no matter what we have achieved in this world (fame, fortune, power). Our attitude toward others is not proud, not superior and overbearing.

To be poor in spirit means acknowledging that every human being is a real person just like everyone else—a person who has a significant contribution to make to society and to the world. Those who are poor in spirit approach life in humility and appreciation, not as though life owes them, but as though they owe life. They view life as a privilege given to them; therefore, they journey through life with a humble attitude and contribute all they can to a needy world out of a spirit of appreciation.

The opposite of being poor in spirit is having a spirit that is full of self. There is a world of difference between these two spirits. There is a stark difference between thinking that we are righteous versus acknowledging that we need the righteousness of Christ. There is a stark difference between being self-righteous versus being given the righteousness of Christ. Self-righteousness goes no farther than self; that is, it goes no farther than death. Self dies along with everything associated with it, including our self-righteousness. But the righteousness that is of Christ is eternal.

Those who truly acknowledge their spiritual poverty take two critical steps.

First, they turn their primary attention away from the things of this world. They know things can never make them spiritually rich.

Second, they turn their primary attention to God and His kingdom. They know God alone can make them spiritually rich. The poor in spirit are weary and burdened for the world. They know the truth of this world and of eternity. Therefore, they have set their faces to do their part for both.

➢ They are weary of the deceptive appearances and enticements of this world. They have learned that “all is vanity [empty]” and all is corruptible. Everything wastes away, even human life itself. Therefore, they feel weary and burdened for those who are still lost in the world.

➢ They are weary from having worked so much to reach their generation. They have labored to serve and make their contribution as God has called them. The poor in spirit are those who approach the world as a child.

Think of walking in faith like learning to ride a bike. At first, you have to practice, maybe fall a few times, and feel a bit wobbly. But with each ride, you gain confidence and skill. Similarly, walking in faith means taking steps, even when they feel shaky. We're all just trying to balance our fears with trust in Jesus as we pedal through life's ups and downs!

2. Embracing Divine Comfort

Matthew 5:4–5 NASB95

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Jesus said, second, that those who mourn are blessed. The Greek word is the strongest word possible for mourning. It is the deep mourning and wailing that occurs over the death of a loved one. It is sorrow—a desperate, helpless sorrow. It is the grief that pours out of a broken heart. It speaks here of a sorrow for sin, a broken heart over evil and suffering. It is a brokenness of self that comes from seeing Christ on the cross and realizing that our sins put Him there. Who is it that mourns in this Beatitude? Who is it so full of grief that they cry and weep and groan deep from within? Three people mourn in the way Jesus speaks.

➢ Those who are desperately sorry for their sins and unworthiness before God. They have such a sense of their sin that their heart is broken. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Lu.18:13)

➢ Those who genuinely feel the desperate plight and terrible suffering of others. The tragedies, the problems, the sinful behavior of others—the condition, the lostness of the world—all weigh ever so heavily upon the heart of the mourner.

➢ Those who experience personal tragedy and intense trauma. People should mourn over their sins. There is a godly sorrow, but there is also a worldly sorrow. There is also a self-centered sorrow. But genuine godly sorrow leads to confession and humility before God and results in being lifted up. Jesus promises that those who mourn will be comforted. In fact, the person who mourns is comforted by Christ Himself—a heart-gripping thought. Christ is called the man of sorrows and was acquainted with grief. He is able to draw a person ever so close, comforting and strengthening beyond imagination.

Matthew 5:4–5 NASB95

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Jesus taught that the gentle or meek are blessed. They will inherit the earth. Many people equate meekness with weakness. They picture a meek person as mousy and timid. Nothing could be further from the truth. To be meek is to be strong, but, at the same time, gentle and humble. It is to have a strong, yet teachable, spirit. It is not being weak, bowing, or spineless. It speaks of people who have all the emotions and ability to take and conquer, but they are able to control themselves. It speaks of a person who is disciplined because he or she is Spirit-controlled. The opposites of true meekness are arrogance and pride. Too many people have an air of sufficiency and superiority. A meek person knows that they need and do not have all the answers.

Who are the meek? How does meekness present itself in a person’s daily life?

➢ The meek are controlled, not undisciplined. The mind and body are disciplined. Passion and urges, speech and behavior, sight and touch are always controlled.

➢ The meek are humble, not prideful. They are humble before God. They know their need for God and for God’s hand upon their lives, their need to be saved and controlled by God. And they are humble before other people. They know they are not perfect, and they do not feel they are not superior to others. They understand they do not have it all, nor do they know it all.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Ro.12:3)

➢ The meek are gentle, not easily provoked. They are always in control when dealing with people: cool, even-tempered, able to show displeasure without reacting impulsively, able to answer softly.

➢ The meek are forgiving, not revengeful.

➢ The meek are quiet. They aspire to lead a quiet life. They are quiet before God. They quietly surrender to God, acknowledging their need without show or without drawing attention to themselves. They quietly go before God daily, depending on Him for guidance and care. In addition, they live quietly before other people. They are controlled in all things, in both speech and behavior.

Perhaps relate how mourning and meekness or gentleness are countercultural but intrinsic to the Christian faith. Jesus promises comfort to those who mourn and inheritance to the meek, showing that in discipleship, divine comfort and inheritance transcend worldly expectations.

In public life, you may feel hesitant to share your faith due to fear of rejection or ridicule. To counter this, start practicing simple acts of kindness in your daily routine. Whether it’s paying for someone’s coffee or helping a neighbor, these small actions open doors for conversations about your faith. When people ask why you’re generous or kind, you’ll have the chance to share the love of Jesus compellingly. This mirrors how He taught His disciples to be the light in the world through their actions and words.

Application: Today’s passage should inspire us to embrace the values of the Kingdom, especially in a world that often celebrates the opposite. By living out the Beatitudes, we can offer hope and healing to not only Westby but also the surrounding communities, which are marked by conflict and despair.

How this passage points to Christ: Jesus embodies each of the Beatitudes, demonstrating the perfect fulfillment of these qualities. As the ultimate example, He shows that true blessedness comes from living in alignment with God's will, ultimately leading to reconciliation and eternal life. Amen.

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