The Structure of the Beatitudes
The Bulletin
You might say the structure of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12) is kind of like the construction of a lighthouse.
If you build a lighthouse on the sand, it will crumble the instant the tide comes in. Instead, you have to dig down deeply so you can start with a rock-solid foundation. Similarly, if we build our righteousness on the shifting sands of our own good works, we won’t have a very sturdy structure.
Thus, Jesus begins the Beatitudes by naming the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek as those who are blessed (5:3-5).
Realizing our utter dependance on God gives us a foundation upon which we can begin to build upward. Out of our poverty we come to Him, and we receive the kingdom. Out of our sorrow we turn to Him, and He comforts us. Realizing how dependent we are, we can be gentle toward others as God was gentle with us. The only way to set a sturdy foundation is to dig down to rock bottom and remove all of our pride.
Once we’ve laid our foundation on God’s goodness rather than our righteousness, we can build upward.
We do this by hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being merciful, and having purity of heart. These are the pillars of inward strength upon which our outward Christian life is built. The Pharisees worried about looking good outwardly (23:25), but before Jesus focuses on the outward qualities He emphasizes the importance of being inwardly right with God.
Finally, when you've dug down in humility and been built up into maturity in Christ, you can withstand any wave and shine the light outwardly—making peace, enduring persecution, and rejoicing in it. Having built up a foundation of humility (5:3-5) and inward righteousness (5:6-8), we can bring peace and healing, even to those who hate us for it (5:10-12).
With these qualities in place, you can "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (5:16).
Notes
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