The beatitudes.

(Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-19).

In response to these thoughts and feelings, the Lord reveals to the Jews His evangelical teachings on beatitudes (blessings), shattering their fallacy at its core. He teaches them that which He said to Nicodemus: that in order to create God’s Kingdom on earth, that lost beloved paradise, it is essential that we are reborn spiritually, and through this prepare for ourselves the blessings of eternal life. The first step toward this is — realise our spiritual poverty, our sin and insignificance, to be humble. That’s why: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mat. 5:3). Blessed are they, who in seeing and realising their sins (which are impeding their entry into this Kingdom), weep, because they then have the opportunity to reconcile themselves with their consciences and be comforted.” By weeping over their sins, they reach such an inner state of tranquillity, that they become incapable of being angry against anyone — they become meek. Indeed, meek Christians have inherited the earth, which was previously ruled by heathens. They also will inherit the earth in the coming life, which will arise after the destruction of this perishable world, “new earth” (Exodus 26:13; Rev. 21:1). “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Mat. 5:6), ie. those who fulfil all of God’s will, shall attain that righteousness and God’s exculpation that gives a genuine yearning to live according to God’s will. Merciful God demands benevolence from people - altruism, which is attained by those genuinely striving to live according to His will. For that reason “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mat. 5:7), and conversely “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy” (James2:13). Genuine works of benevolence, cleanses the human heart of all iniquities, and the “pure in heart” will “see God” (Mat. 5:8) with their spiritual eyes. Those who behold God, strive to emulate Him - liken themselves to His Son who had reconciled man with God and brought peace ie. tranquillity to the human soul. They abhor hostility and consequently become peacemakers, striving to instate peace everywhere. That’s why they are blessed inasmuch as “they shall be called sons of God” (Mat. 5:9). Having achieved such a high spiritual level, they should be prepared for the sinful world, a world that “lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19), to hate them for God’s truth, with which they are clothed. They will be denounced and vilified by it, and persecuted in all manner for their fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Divine teachings. Those who have endured much in the name of Christ, can expect great rewards in Heaven (Mat. 5:12).

These nine New Testament commandments, which are called the Commandments of Blessedness, present themselves as if they are the whole Gospel in a condensed form. Their characteristic differences from the Old Testament ten Commandments are: the Old Testament examines a person’s outward actions and applies strict bans in definitive forms, whereas the New Testament speaks more on the inner disposition of a person’s soul, expounding not demands but only conditions, observance of which can realise eternal joy.

Evangelist Luke adds to the teachings of Saint Matthew on beatitudes. He cites the words of Jesus Christ, that contain a warning to those who see happiness only in the inebriety with earthly blessings: “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24) — says the Lord, contrasting them with those of poor in spirit. Here of course, what is borne in mind are not simply those that possess some type of earthly riches, but those that rely on it, are proud, haughty, treat others with contempt. “Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger” (Luke 6:25) — and contrasting with “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” because these people are not seeking God’s truth but are satisfied with their own false beliefs. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep” (Luke 6:25) — here, reference is made to people that live indifferently, treating their life of sin light-heartedly. The world, steeped in evil, loves those who indulge in it, those who live in sin, that’s why: “Woe to you when all men speak well of you,” (Luke 6:26), inasmuch as this is a sign of an unfortunate moral condition.