The Beatitudes on the Mount: Can They Really Make Us Happy?

When we hear the word happy, we remember Jesus' sermon on the mount in Matius 5:1-12. At first, you might think this topic will be boring. After all, it is about the 'blessed, blessed' sayings we already know. But after studying and reflecting on these Beatitudes again, I found a very deep meaning in them, one that truly made me happy.

Jesus spoke the Beatitudes after calling His first twelve disciples. A number of Bible scholars believe these blessed sayings are the Declaration of the Kingdom of God. A foundation and characteristic of the people who belong to His kingdom.

Here are the foundations and characteristics of Christianity based on the Beatitudes.

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Besides warning about spiritual poverty, the Bible also invites us to strive for spiritual riches.

However, in this context, Jesus is speaking about another kind of spiritual poverty. A condition when we come to the Lord with an awareness of our sins, emptiness, and the poverty of our souls without Him. We must not become proud and quickly satisfied with the quality of our spirituality, then feel that we no longer need God.

Of all kinds of pride, the worst is spiritual pride. To be poor in spirit means realizing who you are without God, without His forgiveness, help, and love. And, you come to the Lord with humility and a need for His Word.

An example is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple (Lukas 18:10-14).

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

This does not mean God likes people who are sad, and dislikes those who are always cheerful.

Mourning is connected to pain and sorrow because of losing something or someone we love. For example, natural disasters that cause thousands of people to lose their homes, possessions, loved ones, and even their health.

Mourning can also be caused by our sins that grieve God's heart. Or by the loss of Christian values in life.

However, what matters most is not the sorrow itself, but its focus: That as people of faith, our sorrow is not without hope. Sorrow makes us see that our hope in the Lord is greater than what the world can give (1 Tesalonika 4:13-14).

"... because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." – Romans 5:3-5

3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Meek does not mean having low self-esteem. Nor does it mean that we are weak and ineffective in life. The meek are those who do not force their power / strength on others. They are free from envy, hatred, and revenge, and have self-control.

We too can be victors even while oppressed and hard-pressed like Paul (1 Kor 4:11-13).

" ... and with gentleness can guide those who like to oppose, for perhaps God will give them the opportunity to repent and lead them so that they come to know the truth." – 2 Timotius 2:25

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

A person who is hungry and thirsty will be driven to seek relief. In the same way, we thirst to please the Lord's heart, to do His commands, to see the truth received and the Lord's name glorified.

We long for others also to have a close relationship with the Lord, to see with the same perspective and convictions that we have in the Lord. We long for others to experience life change just as the Lord has changed our lives. And, Jesus promises that our hunger and thirst will be satisfied (Yohanes 6:35).

"And be like newborn babies, always craving pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow and obtain salvation." – 1 Petrus 2:2

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Being merciful is not only about those who like to share their possessions or their abundance. Being merciful means we are quick to forgive those who wrong us. Not holding grudges or keeping other people's wrongs against them. Having tolerance toward others and being full of compassion.

Merciful people focus on the needs of others rather than their own rights and needs. Only those who value the Lord's mercy can become merciful. They are willing to share not only the word of God, but also their lives.

"So, in our great affection for you, we were willing to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us." – 1 Tesalonika 2:8

6. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

A pure-hearted person means that his decisions, desires, thoughts, and motivations are not stained by sin, such as envy, anger, wanting to appear good, or seeking gain. What he does and thinks is always for one purpose: to please the Lord's heart.

A pure heart becomes visible when a heart filled with fleshly or worldly desires is transformed into a heart full of love. And, we can attain this by asking for correction and guidance from the Lord Himself. (Mazmur 139:23).

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not give himself to deceit, and who does not swear falsely. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God who saves him." – Mazmur 24:4-5

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Our Lord is One who loves peace. The purpose of Christ's redemption is to reconcile humanity with God and bring near again those who are far from Him. To reconcile a relationship broken by sin into an intimate relationship like that of a father and child.

Peacemakers are those who become mediators when there is hostility. We extinguish hatred, unite what has been divided, and proclaim peace and love. Thus, we will be called children of God. Not adopted children, not Master and servant, or Shepherd and sheep, but His true children. Just as Jesus Himself is the Son of God.

"So you are no longer a servant, but a child; and if you are a child, then you are also an heir, through God." – Galatia 4:7

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The last two Beatitudes (Matius 5:10-12) have the same meaning. When we do what is right, we will face challenges from those who do not like the truth we believe. Even so, we rejoice because our reward is great in heaven.

1 Petrus 2:20 says, "For what credit is it if you endure a beating because you have sinned? But if you do good and because of that must suffer, that is grace before God."

After looking at the eight Beatitudes in a different way, let us examine our hearts. Do our hearts already match that list?

Do not assume that because we are already Christians, we are automatically happy people. Do not think either that the Beatitudes are only suitable for those who do not yet know God. Even if we have already received the truth, without these eight foundations and characteristics of the heirs of His Kingdom, we have not yet experienced true happiness. Let us repent before it is too late! God bless.