The Beatitudes

From a question on Quora:

What does Matthew 5:1-12 mean?

When I read the question and the passage, I thought, “This covers too much ground. Just leave a comment that the questioner should ask about a particular verse.” Besides, to my shallow understanding, they seemed to be on the squishy, non-masculine side of doctrine.

But then I realized that outlining the passage might help the reader, and it might help me to give a useful, high-level explanation. This study has helped me instead as I recognize a depth of challenge and doctrine that I have not seen before. I hope it helps you, too.

First, I’ll quote from the (currently) best word-for-word translation, the New American Standard Version (Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation).

It should go without saying that the passage comprises the Beatitudes, the opening portion of what’s called the Sermon on the Mount.

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Here’s how I would outline and explain it.

1. Introduction, verses 1-2.
   
   Jesus had begun his ministry. To authenticate his exceptional claims about his authority, message, and identity, he had healed “all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics.”
   
   Partly to see the miracles, and partly to hear or jeer his message, “large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.” That would be an area roughly 160 miles, north to south, by 50 miles wide, so the crowds numbered possibly in the tens of thousands.
   
   At this point, Jesus found a place on a hillside that formed a natural amphitheater with good acoustics and settled down to teach “the Sermon on the Mount.”
   
   
2. The Hearts of the Blessed, verses 3–6.
   
   As in many cultures in all ages, the people thought that those who were rich, proud, happy, strong, and forceful were favored by God. Jesus began His message with a shocking, counter intuitive message: Those favored by God are not the people blessed with success, wealth, and power, but those with broken spirits, humility, grief, restraint, and unfulfilled desire to be holy — not just outside, but inside, as well. They would see heaven, be comforted and satisfied, and in the resurrection, inherit the earth and its wealth. (Compare 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.)
   
   
3. Relationships of the Blessed, verses 7–9.
   
   Jesus describes three relational attributes of people whom God favors. It can be said that, whereas grace is giving good that is undeserved, mercy is withholding evil that is deserved. The merciful person withholds cross words, resentments, and revenge. Later, Jesus clarifies this in his teachings on forgiveness and leaving vengeance to God.
   
   Many outwardly good people think their actions make them good, but God does not merely observe the material world. He observes the spiritual dimensions of the world, too, which means that to Him, our thoughts and attitudes are just as “real” as our actions. “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
   
   Are you pure in heart? Jesus taught that hating without just cause is murder, and looking at someone (other than your spouse) with lust is adultery. You can expand each of the Ten Commandments in similar fashion. Withholding the truth is false witness. Wanting to take something that’s not yours is stealing. Pouting because you "deserve" a thing you cannot have is coveting. Giving higher priority to anything than you give to God is idolatry. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” condemns more than it comforts!
   
   The ultimate peacemaker is the one who seeks reconciliation with God and then, after finding redemption, seeks to reconcile others to God. Does this describe you? It doesn’t describe me. Not often, anyway. Through the Cross, God offers mercy and grace, so we can be redeemed from lack of perfection, but this takes us back to the beginning: Blessed are the poor in spirit who mourn their faults and hunger for the righteousness that only God can give. Finding that peace, they shall be called the sons and daughters of God.
   
   
4. Suffering of the Blessed, vs. 10–11.
   
   Faith in God may have a price. Faith involves commitment to delayed gratification. Faithfulness and holiness do not always lead to material blessings in this world. They often lead to friction, slander, insults, and even to physical suffering. Throughout history, and even today, declaring faith in Jesus can bring death at the end of horrible torture. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just read the headlines at Persecution.org  or Open Doors USA.
   
   Jesus himself suffered. He knew his torture and death would achieve a higher purpose of redeeming us from sins. Being God in human form, He lived a perfect life. Having lived a perfect life, He did not come under judgment and could therefore take our place in judgment. Taking our place in judgment, God freed Himself to love without violating justice. Thus, He redeems us so we can be reborn as God’s children and as brothers and sisters of Christ himself. And God authenticated and rewarded Christ's achievement by raising Him from the dead.
   
   If we become Christ’s servants and family, we should not be surprised if the world treats us the same way it treated him. It can serve many higher purposes. The following examples can all be demonstrated from history. 

• It can test and build our character. 
• Our suffering shows the sincerity of our faith to the world and draws people to the One so great that we would die for Him.  
• It demonstrates the adequacy of God’s love and grace even in the worst earthly circumstances. 
• It demonstrates our love to the One who remolds us from within. 

The Beatitudes turned ancient thinking upside down then, and they turn worldly wisdom upside down today. On the surface, they are beautiful and reassure the humble. Dig a little deeper and they set high goals for us. But dig deep, and you will find impossible challenges that ought to utterly humble us and drive us to surrender to God’s provision of redemption. 

Since I also posted this as an anser on Quora.com, I cannot copyright it. However, I hope you will not plagiarize it and, if quoting it, will give credit where credit is due.