Deployment: The Suffering Soldier

The Suffering Soldier

Deployment Series: The Suffering Solider

The Beatitudes.

Happy is the man or Blessed is the man is very known and in common use Beatitudes or “blessed sayings” are so designated because they begin with the expression “blessed is” or “happy is” (Hb. ashre; Gk. makarios; Lat. beatus). “Happy,” however, may not be the best rendering since it has been spiritually devalued in modern usage. The idea is that of a fortunate, blissful state based not on worldly circumstances but on divine conditions. These conditional blessings are frequent in OT wisdom literature, especially the Psalms (Job 5:17[1]

The The most widely known and extensive collection of such blessings introduces Jesus’ Sermon on Mount (Matt. 5:3–12; cp. Luke 6:20–26).

Beatitudes set tone for Sermon by emphasizing man’s humility (5:3–5, 7, 9) and God’s righteousness

(5:6, 8, 10). Each of eight Beatitudes (5:11–12 is an expansion on 5:10)

portrays ideal heart condition of a kingdom citizen—a condition that brings abundant spiritual blessing.

“Poor in spirit” refers to an awareness of spiritual bankruptcy apart from Christ (5:3).

· Humility, to be striped pf pride and sensitive to God’s ministry in the another persons behalf (Isa. 61: 1) Being poor in spirit affirms your own inadequacy and humility before the lord.

· To be completely naked in front and with the Father. Unashamed and uncovered, no secrets and nothing to hide. Why? When you understand that God is your covering and with this truth and being told the truths of God it allows you to be free and liberated in his presence to establish a relationship with him. It is to reveal the REAL YOU. Your belief, being and behavior. Your holding onto your dignity and holding up your deliverance.

To “mourn” is to be grieved and broken over sin (5:4; Isa. 61:1–3; 2 Cor. 7:10).

“meek,” like Christ, exemplify gentleness and self-control (5:5; 11:29).

“Hunger and thirst” is a vivid description of those who crave God’s righteousness (5:6; Ps. 42:1–2). The

“merciful” are both forgiving and compassionate (5:7; 6:12–15).

To be “pure in heart” refers to that internal cleansing necessary for entering God’s presence (5:8; Ps. 24:3–4). Th

“peacemakers” are those who invite men to be reconciled to God and to one another (5:9; Rom. 10:15; 12:18; 2 Cor. 5:20).

Finally, there is a blessing for those who are “persecuted for righteousness.” It is normal for the world to oppose kingdom citizens (5:10–12; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:14). See Sermon on Mount.[2]

In Matthew’s account, the advent of the kingdom has already commenced, indicated by the use of the present tense. It is addressed to the disciples particularly and is not a general proclamation. The sermon is set within two statements of Jesus: he has not come to destroy but to fulfil the Mosaic law (Mt 5:17); and it is necessary to have a kind of righteousness that “exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees” (v 20). So these beatitudes are more concerned with the interior life of the disciple, to activate here and now the kind of life Jesus communicates in those who follow him. For Jesus has already inaugurated the kingdom. These eight beatitudes reflect on the traits of those who belong to that kingdom and who therefore reflect Christ’s own life. The people and situations described may seem pitiable by human standards, but because of God’s presence in their lives, they are actually blessed and should be congratulated and imita

[1] Schemm, P. (2003). Beatitudes. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 178). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

[2] Schemm, P. (2003). Beatitudes. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 179). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.