6 minute read 
by Bethany Rees

Have you ever read something you thought you understood, only to realize later that you read it wrong? You actually had little to no understanding of the text. 

Well, that was my experience in reading the Beatitudes. I read it with my Southern ‘bless their heart’ perspective because this intro to Jesus’ well-known Sermon on the Mount discourse definitely wasn’t talking about me. I wasn’t poor or mourning. I’m definitely not meek or hungry or thirsty. 

But my entire view of the Beatitudes was changed as I read it with the lens of not looking for myself in Scripture but looking for who God was/is in Scripture. 

What is a Beatitude? 

Through my Bible Recap journey of reading my study Bible from cover to cover, my eyes were given a new perspective on the Beatitudes.

First, I learned what the word beatitude actually means. It wasn’t a ‘bless their hearts’ attitude toward people going through rough circumstances at all—it was much deeper.

A beatitude is a declaration of blessedness that gives a deep spiritual state of joy or well-being in relationship to God. 

Second, I learned that the Beatitudes were less about people who were going through a situation I wasn’t and more about Jesus’ heart for revealing the sanctification journey (lifelong process of becoming more like Him) that I needed to go on. 

Below is the first half of my recap (pun intended) of what God was/is showing me as I journey through the sanctification process with a BE-attitude. 

The Beatitudes - Part 1 

Matthew 5:3-7

Poor in Spirit

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Clarity of Meaning: To be poor in something means to lack or be in need of something. The Bible talks at length about our battles between flesh (ways of human nature) and spirit (ways of God with the equipping and empowering of his Spirit). Those that recognize their own spiritual poverty, or lack, of God’s Spirit in leading their lives will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Application: My pride and arrogance, in believing that ‘I’ve got it,’ keep me from God. When I humble myself and admit my spiritual poverty, my need for Jesus, I begin to have the heart posture for a close relationship with Him. I must die to my pride daily and confess my need for Jesus. 

Recap: BE Humble—admit my need for Jesus

Mourn

⁴“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Clarity of Meaning:  To mourn means to grieve the loss of something or someone. After we humble ourselves and recognize our need for God, we begin to realize just how far we’ve run away from Him. This loss of closeness in our relationship with him produces mourning, or a “...godly grief that produces a repentance that leads to salvation…” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Those that experience godly grief for their sin and thus repent will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will be comforted.

Application:  The more I come to know who God actually is (not who non-biblical sayings Christians or Renaissance art have portrayed), the more I become aware of my own sin. God is not only holy and sovereign but He is the source for all good fruit of “...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23). I therefore begin to recognize and mourn all the ways I’ve gone against God in my thoughts, words, and actions. My awareness of my sin creates a godly grief in me that brings about my repentance (turning away from my own flesh and running towards Him). 

Recap: BE Honest about my sin—know that godly grief produces repentance, not shame or condemnation

Meek

⁵”Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Clarity of Meaning:  While I always thought being meek meant being weak, I’ve come to learn that it actually means to be gentle or to have one’s strength under control. After we’ve humbled ourselves and repented of our sin, we now surrender our will to God’s will. No longer do we insert our ego or fleshly ‘strength’ into situations because we now trust God to lead us. Those that submit to God’s will and authority over their lives will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will inherit the earth. 

Application:  I no longer have to fight for control of situations, assert my will, or defend my pride. I release all of those and instead trust God to lead me in and through all that comes my way. Therefore I engage with the world in a less combative way, meaning I will not have a quickly flesh-focused reaction, but a more godly response.

Recap: BE surrendered to God—engage with the world in a gentle manner

Hunger & Thirst for Righteousness

⁶”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Clarity of Meaning:  To hunger and thirst means to have a deep longing or desire to quench a need. In this case, it means to desire God and His righteousness. May we be like David in pursuing God: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4a). Those that want to spend time with God will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will be satisfied in their desire to know Him. 

Application:  The more my heart sees who God is, the more I want to spend time with him to know him better. Going to church, reading my Bible, and praying used to feel like ‘church chores’ I did out of compliance, but they have now become longings and desires that I run to with joy. I want to relish in His character so that I begin to reflect His character. 

Recap: BE Hungry for God—the more I know of him, the more I seek to spend time with Him and to reflect Him

Merciful

⁷”Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Clarity of Meaning:  To be merciful reflects God’s character of undeserved kindness and compassion. For example, God is merciful by withholding the punishment that we deserve for our sins. It means to stop waiting on others to “get their act right” before you engage with them or forgive them. Those who are compassionate to others will not only have a deep spiritual state of joy (blessedness) but will relish in God’s compassion for them.

Application:  I must first recognize God’s mercy for me as a sinner. God didn’t wait for me to perform…“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This creates the heart posture for loving others with kindness and compassion instead of judgement and disengagement. In staying humble, confessing my sin, submitting to God, desiring a close relationship with Him, I now know who He is and what He has forgiven me of. I will now gladly share it with others.

Recap: BE compassionate toward others—don’t wait for others to act right before you love and serve them 

Know Better. Do Better. Live Better. Keep Going on Your Sanctification Journey.

Rocks before Sand!

Scripture: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” ~ Matthew 5:3-7

Theme Song: 

O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship

References Used:

• The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

• Cobble, Tara-Leigh, host. https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBibleRecap