1. Blessed are the poor in spirit (1-3).
Jesus begins with the Beatitudes - or declarations of blessedness. To be blessed begins with a proper attitude. Jesus says we must be poor in spirit, that is, humble before Jesus. We cannot earn the kingdom of heaven. It is given to the humble who willingly suffer in Jesus' name.

2. Blessed are those who mourn, hunger and thirst, and are merciful (4-7).
Those who mourn over their sins will be comforted because in Jesus our sins are forgiven when we repent. Christ wants to change our desire for the world to desire for righteousness, when we are meek. And as we show mercy, God is merciful to us.

3. Blessed are the pure, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted (8-12).
In Christ, we have a pure heart to see God and make peace with others. As we do so, we will be persecuted, but this confirms our identity as God's people. All this begins with spiritual humility and repentance (3-4).