HOW TO RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Passage: Matthew 5:1-12

Key verse: 3

NIV

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes(A)

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(B)
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.(C)
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.(D)
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.(E)
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.(F)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,(G)
    for they will see God.(H)
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,(I)
    for they will be called children of God.(J)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,(K)
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(L)

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,(M) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.(N) 12 Rejoice and be glad,(O) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(P)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, (A)he went up on the mountain, and when he (B)sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And (C)he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 (D)“Blessed are (E)the poor in spirit, for (F)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are (G)those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the (H)meek, for they (I)shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and (J)thirst (K)for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are (L)the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are (M)the pure in heart, for (N)they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are (O)the peacemakers, for (P)they shall be called (Q)sons[a] of God.

10 (R)“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for (S)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 (T)“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely (U)on my account. 12 (V)Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for (W)so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:9 Greek huioi; see Preface
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

As Jesus’ disciples, we have a new hope in heaven with a new desire to become like Him.

Jesus introduces a new concept of being “blessed.” In the eyes of the Lord, it is not the affluent and mighty but those who recognize their spiritual depravity (3), repent (4), are humble (5), and seek the righteousness of the Lord (6). With such an attitude, they may receive the kingdom of heaven, experience the mercies of the Lord, and also know they must show mercy toward others. They will desire to become like Jesus, blameless and pure, and to bring peace as they tell the world about Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus did not sugarcoat the reality his disciples would face in the world. While they received new hope in heaven, they would also face insult and persecution for the sake of Jesus’ name. The evil of the world would resist the spread of the gospel with all its might (Jn 3:20). However, a believer’s suffering is participating in the work of the prophets and the Lord himself in this world. Times of suffering will encourage us as we are recognized as followers of Jesus. We will receive the true blessings of having a close relationship with Jesus and grow in His image!

Prayer: Father, thank you for your words. Help me find the courage to rejoice in your blessings.

One Word: To be blessed…