Beatitudes In The Gospel Of Jesus example essay topic

Exegesis of the Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 5: 3-12 The Eight Beatitudes In Matthew's Gospel, starting with Chapter five verses three through twelve, Jesus tells us of the Eight Beatitudes. These verses are much like The Ten Commandments in nature, but more philosophical: . "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 those who are merciful, for they shall obtain mercy". . "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God". . "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". .

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness's ake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven". The Beatitudes are promises from God. Promises for the Kingdom of Heaven. They are also requirements for the type of people who would receive the promises.

They stress the importance of what is on the inside as opposed to what appears on the outside. This exegesis will explore the Historical and Social settings for which the Beatitudes were written, examine the Literary Content of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, and will attempt to explain the meaning of the text. This passage is part of the passage known as the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a hill near Capernaum. This sermon, most likely, covered more than one day of preaching. Matthew, Chapter Five, is filled with sermon after sermon, and teaching after teaching where Jesus tells of his attitude toward the law, and explains how social rank and money are not important in his kingdom. People came from miles around to hear him speak.

Accompanying him, were his Disciples whom he warned of all the fame and fortune they might receive through traveling with him. Jesus also warned his Disciples of using God's message to promote personal gain. Matthew, along with the other gospels, is a written record of Jesus Christ and his teachings. The beatitudes are just a sample of the many teachings that this book has to offer. The text itself written by Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, does coincide with the beatitudes written by another of Jesus' disciples; Luke. Only Luke writes the beatitudes a little differently than Matthew.

One example of the differences is in the first beatitude where Matthew writes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit... ". where as Luke recorded Jesus as saying only, "Blessed are the poor... ". By annexing "in spirit" Luke suggests that only the monetarily poor belong in God's kingdom, where Matthew seems to state that material status or social poverty alone are not the standards for faith. All throughout the beatitudes there seems to be the theme that it does not matter what is on the outside, but God sees and is only concerned with the inside of his children. Their hearts and their souls.

It doesn't appear God cares much for material wealth or success in the world, but more so for what is in mans heart. Luke suggests 'the poor's should be monetarily poor, and if they have any wealth they should give it all up to those more needy to give glory to God. Money and wealth may be seen by some as a sign of being in God's favor with darker signs and adversity a sign of some sort of punishment. Which should not be the case at all, Matthew seems to add "in spirit" more to identify wealth and social status is not the standard by which God will judge. Money and wealth do have an interesting way of corrupting the most "Christian" of man, but that does not necessarily mean we should all forgo all of the wealth's and riches working hard in this life has to offer as a reward.

Matthew's interpretation of Jesus's a ying does seem more accurate. It makes more sense that people should concentrate more on what their lives are like on the inside, on what their heart thinks and feels. God does know what everyone is thinking and feeling, and God does know everyone's true self. 'Neither material nor spiritual poverty is blessed, but ones honest and humble acknowledgement of his own impoverishment. ' (Broadman 105) Weather you are "poor in spirit" or just plain poor, both Gospels teach that Jesus wants us to separate ourselves from the burden of material things and allow our hearts to be more pure. 'It is precisely when man realized his own nothingness that God can give out of his own fullness.

' (Broadman 105) There is more than enough material, and literature to argue whether one should give up everything they own for God. The Beatitudes in the Gospel of Jesus according to Matthew, whether there are in fact eight or nine of them, teach Christian's to be not concerned with how you are viewed by the eyes of the world, but to be concerned, and motivated by the only eyes on you that count; God's.

Bibliography

1. Life Application Bible: New International Version. Copyright 1998.
Tyndale House Publishers Inc. Wheaton, Illinois. 2. Broadman Bible Commentary's: St. Matthew. Copyright 1969.
Broadman Publishers Inc. New York, New York. 3. The International Critical Commentary: Gospel According to St. Matthew. Copyright 1984.