Matthew 5:1-12 – Developing People

When Jesus wanted to go to spread the gospel, He went into the countryside. When Jesus wanted to spend time developing His leadership, Jesus went to the side of a mountain and sat down. Because Jesus had something to offer, His disciples came to Him.

Leaders have to learn to take time with their key leaders to sit and let them catch up. You can push forward and push forward and push forward and gain a ton of ground, but if you are not developing leaders along the way, you eventually find yourself alone. Jesus knew His disciples could only handle so much so He had to sit and teach them to help them grasp the full picture of what He was doing.

Matthew 5 begins a series of teachings from Jesus. This will not be a two hundred page per beatitude study. But I do want to highlight some areas God wants us to grasp.

• Poor in spirit – Happier are those whose soul is longing for God because they know what they lack. God gives us His Spirit because our spirit lacks the ability to strengthen us and keep us strong. Jesus gives us His Spirit so we have access to His power and grace and eternal life in heaven.
• Those who mourn – Why do we mourn? Sin. Sin reveals our complete unworthiness to approach God. Jesus however becomes the comfort we need to lead us through the Holy Spirit to God’s presence. We are comforted by the Comforter as God forgives those who seek forgiveness in humility.
• The meek – What is meek? A former governor said the meek are those who get walked on and have to use religion as a crutch. The Bible defines a meek person as one strong enough to show kindness while mild enough to remain strong. Great leaders are not the outspoken, pompous bullies. Great people are those who know they lack in much and are not afraid to admit their weaknesses. For them, God has determined their inheritance in the future.
• Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – People who seek to do the right thing more than just trying to be right are the ones who are ready to receive God’s fulfillment. God satisfies. God provides abundance. Jesus says these people are blessed. In other words, they are filled with joy that only originates in those who love God.
• The merciful – Compassion is God’s signature mark of grace. God is very compassionate while never lacking in justice. Those who show mercy or compassion to others are in direct relationship with God, and they shall also receive mercy. Our choice should be obvious when we have opportunities to show compassion. “Mercy implies generosity, forgiveness, and compassion, and a desire to remove the wrong as well as alleviate the suffering. This promise does not guarantee mercy from people. The believers’ comfort comes in the knowledge that, no matter how the world treats them, God will show them mercy both now and when he returns.”—Life Application Concise New Testament Commentary
• The pure in heart – These are people with a clean or clear conscience. The only way to be pure at heart is to allow Jesus to be your Lord and Savior by asking for forgiveness for sin, renouncing your life of sin, and accepting the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout your life. God said we must be holy as He is holy for this is the only way to see Him. We cannot enter into God’s presence without holiness. Only Jesus remained pure and holy in this life and only by accepting His death as a sacrifice for your sin can you approach a holy God.
• The peacemakers – Peacemakers find common ground and approach problems or troubles through those avenues. Peacemakers are able to see beyond selfish desires and see commonality that opens the door for peaceful reconciliation. Peacemakers are those who remind others how to maintain a life of peace. To be a peacemaker is to be called a child of God. This means a peacemaker receives the surname of God. Think about the implications.
• Those persecuted because of righteousness – Doing the right thing is not popular with many people, and this will follow you throughout your life. Can you live with these consequences? If so, then the kingdom of heaven awaits. With great reward comes great sacrifice. This sacrifice does not go unnoticed and for those who persecute many will not go unpunished by God. Many will also turn to God. Is that worth the price of admission?

Christianity is not an easy road to walk. People will hurl insults. People will demean you. Some will call you ignorant and stubborn. Some will simply attack Jesus. Regardless of these insults or attacks, Jesus says we should rejoice. Why? Our joy is not found in others but in God. If our lives are not being scrutinized by others we may need to revisit these attitudes of Christian living.

• Are you going unnoticed in your faith?
• Which attitude of Christian living is missing in your life? Who could you ask to honestly tell you?
• How are you leading others? Are you giving them time to catch up?
• Do you have anything of Christian faith to offer? Are you offering it?