“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus’ teaching on the mountain was not about how to be saved from the penalty of sin, but about the sort of people who would be His disciples and about how they were to live. It would be some years before His disciples would fully understand how He would save His own from their sins. Then they would proclaim the power of His death and resurrection and how the ungodly can be justified before God through faith. But now they were learning what true righteousness is, and His words on that day long ago remain profoundly, inescapably, alive and relevant for us all.

The blessedness of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger for righteousness is assured only because such people are His disciples. They are not blind to their spiritual poverty, nor are they deceived by the tinsel glitter of earthly wealth or by sinful and empty pleasures. They may not know how their state can change, but their eyes are fixed on Jesus.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

The mark of one who knows his own sinfulness is his readiness to show mercy and to forgive. Instead of seeking revenge or fighting for his rights, he shows mercy. He is not weak, a loser, but one who rests in the faithful mercy of his God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Can a disciple of Jesus follow Him with false motives and a hidden agenda? Their pretence is soon exposed, and such deceivers will fall away. But the weakest saint’s genuine desire and perseverance, despite his many stumbles along the way, will be gloriously rewarded.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The heart of a disciple responds, “Oh that I might be a true son of God!” Such are peacemakers, not troublemakers, stirring up anger and conflict. What they have inwardly, they strive to live outwardly.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Lord Jesus had not yet met much open opposition from the authorities and perhaps the men and women gathered about Him would not understand why such good works and wonderful teaching would be opposed. Nevertheless, Jesus encouraged His disciples to be steadfast in the face of the persecution that would come, even repeating His assurance of the reward that awaited them.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Who are these disciples? They are the poor in spirit, the meek, those that mourn their sins, hungry for righteousness but always ready to show mercy and make peace. The world passes them by as insignificant and irrelevant, people of no consequence.

“You are the salt of the earth…”

What? But we are nothing. What can we boast of?

“You are the light of the world.”

The Lord Jesus looked upon His disciples with great love, fully aware of the transformation that the Spirit would work in the lives of these ordinary men and women for the glory of His Father. They were to be like “a city set on a hill” in full view of a lost world, and like a lamp set on a stand to give light to all in the house.

Perhaps we are more reticent and retiring, our lives lived less openly than these words encourage. It may be uncomfortable for us to remember how the Lord taught that it is our love for one another that would show the world that we are His disciples (John 13:34-35). Has the salt lost its savour? Is our light hidden under a basket? There is a challenge here to live openly, and we must not ignore it.

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”