Dr Paul Allen

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber to be an example of a charismatic religious leader. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 5:6 –7 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness , for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (vv. 6–7). The first three beatitudes in many ways express those qualities that are the prerequisites for salvation. To be poor in spirit , to mourn, and to be meek ( Matt. 5:1–5) are all related to the idea of recognizing ourselves for who we really are in the sight of God apart from Christ — desperate sinners who cannot save ourselves. As Jesus continues outlining the marks of His disciple in today’s passage, we will see Him focus on qualities that are produced in those who recognize their spiritual poverty and have turned to Him. Our Creator ’s blessing (approval) is on “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (v. 6). Typically, we hunger and thirst for food...

The Sermon of the Beatitudes (1886-96) by James Tissot from the series The Life of Christ, Brooklyn Museum (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 5:1–3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (v. 3). Throughout history, the church has treasured Matthew’s gospel as a primary teaching tool, mainly due to his incorporation of large blocks of Jesus ’ instruction including the Sermon on the Mount . Today begins our study of this famous sermon. Some preachers try to separate the Sermon on the Mount from the person who preached it. They then try to apply it to all men — non-believers as much as believers. But it is not a treatise on social ethics. Certainly, the sermon has bearing on our relationship to society, but it cannot be divorced from allegiance to Christ (Matt. 5:11). Above all, the sermon describes life in  God’s kingdom , that place where God’s people embrace His rule. It is given to Jesus’ disciples (v. 1), makin...

The New Testament is full of commands for us to obey. Full of them. The Sermon on the Mount is no exception. Something like sixty-six commands sound from Jesus’s mouth as he calls us as his people to live a life in step with the gospel. The Beatitudes, Jesus’s introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, are a different story. There you’ll not find a single imperative. Not one. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek , for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness , for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God . Blessed are the peacemakers , for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. No Commands Here Jesus never tells us to be poo...

John Calvin (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 5:1–3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” ( v. 3 ). Some people try to separate the Sermon on the Mount from the person who preached it. They then try to apply it to all men — non-believers as much as believers. But it is not a treatise on social ethics. Certainly, the sermon has bearing on our relationship to society, but it cannot be divorced from allegiance to Christ ( Matt. 5:11 ). Above all, the sermon describes life in God’s kingdom , that place where God ’s people embrace His rule. It is given to Jesus ’ disciples ( v. 1 ), making it a guide for life in the believing community — the church. John Calvin alludes to this truth, commenting that the Sermon on the Mount collects “the leading points of the doctrine of Christ” relating “to a devout and holy life.” Jesus does not present the material in this sermon only on this one occasion, for as an itinerant preacher He repeats the same basic...

Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia The two Christian character traits taught most frequently in the New Testament are love and humility. The classic passage on love is, of course,  1 Corinthians 13 . The classic passage on humility, though it never uses the word, is  Matthew 5:2-12 , popularly known as the Beatitudes . And just as 1 Corinthians describes love, so the Beatitudes describe humility. Jesus began His teaching with, " Blessed are the poor in spirit " ( Matt. 5:3  ). The poor in spirit are those who have become convinced of their spiritual poverty. They see their continued sinfulness even as believers. In contrast to the self-righteous Pharisee who prayed, " God , I thank you that I am not like other men," they identify with the tax collector who cried out, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" ( Luke 18:9-13 ). This is where humility begin...

Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Matthew 5:4-5 "Blessed are those who mourn , for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" ( vv. 4-5 ). Some translators render the Greek term for blessing (makarios) as "happy," but this is not entirely accurate. Of course, happiness is often linked to blessing, but God 's favor brings far more than mere happiness. To be blessed by our Creator is to find His approval. God claims us as His child when He blesses us. Jesus has said our Father approves of the poor in spirit - those who know their need for divine forgiveness ( Matt. 5:3 ). This makes sense, for we are God's people only if we come to the end of ourselves and turn to Him alone for salvation ( Isa. 66:1-2 ; Luke 18:9-14 ; 1 John 1:8-9 ). In today's passage, our Savior declares "blessed" those who mourn and those who are meek ( Matt. 5:4-5 ). Many think verse 4 refers to any mourner, but the conte...

Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Matthew 5:1-3 " Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" ( v. 3 ). Throughout history, the church has treasured Matthew's gospel as a primary teaching tool, mainly due to his incorporation of large blocks of Jesus' instruction including the Sermon on the Mount . Today begins our study of this famous sermon. Some preachers try to separate the Sermon on the Mount from the person who preached it. They then try to apply it to all men - non-believers as much as believers. But it is not a treatise on social ethics. Certainly, the sermon has bearing on our relationship to society, but it cannot be divorced from allegiance to Christ ( Matt. 5:11 ). Above all, the sermon describes life in God's kingdom , that place where God 's people embrace His rule. It is given to Jesus' disciples ( v. 1 ), making it a guide for life in the believing community - the church. John Cal...

Image via Wikipedia Matthew 5:1-3   Elsewhere, Jesus speaks these same words to the poor ( Luke 6:20  ), because those who have nothing are often able to see their need for salvation most clearly.  Still, one does not need to lack possessions to see the kingdom of God. John Calvin writes that "he only who is reduced to nothing in himself, and relies on the mercy of God , is poor in spirit ." Rich or poor, if we fail to see our need for salvation, we will fail to enter the kingdom.  For further study:  Psalms 34 ;  68:20 Related articles Poor in spirit; great in reward (lifereference.wordpress.com) The Beatitudes Part One (80intheblue.wordpress.com) The Beatitudes of Jesus (#1) (theupwardcallofgod.wordpress.com) The Actions God Hates. (six11.wordpress.com) Back to the Mountain (plsmin.wordpress.com) Blessed: One Thousand Gifts #229-240 (graceformymess.com) Seeking the Kingdom of God (apmadriaga.wordpress.com) Matthew 5:1-26 (wiseasking.w...