Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes) - Universal Perspective
The Beatitudes open Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, proclaiming kingdom values that invert worldly expectations. "Blessed" (makarios) announces divine favor on unlikely recipients: the poor, mourning, meek, and persecuted.
INTERPRETIVE NOTES: Each beatitude has present ("theirs is") and future ("they will") dimensions. The chiastic structure moves from internal states to external actions, with persecution bookending poverty of spirit.
PREACHING ANGLES: These are not entry requirements but descriptions of citizens, The kingdom is now and not yet, Jesus embodies each beatitude
SHOW DON'T TELL:\n Before: Jesus taught that the humble are blessed
After: See her—bent double cleaning floors at 5am, invisible to everyone rushing past, and Jesus stops, lifts her chin, and says: The kingdom is YOURS
IMAGERY ELEMENTS: mountain teaching, crowds below, bent figures lifted, tears becoming joy
CAUTIONS: Don't moralize into human achievement, Avoid spiritualizing away concrete justice concerns
Topics & Themes
Emotional Tone
Application Points
- These are not entry requirements but descriptions of citizens
- The kingdom is now and not yet
- Jesus embodies each beatitude
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