The Beatitudes are one of Jesus' most well-known teachings within the Sermon on the Mount. Rather than representing eight different types of people, they represent qualities each believer is called to exhibit. The Beatitudes represent our relationship to God and to others.
Matthew 5:3-12 (NIV)
• The qualities introduced here do not refer to 8 different types of people.
• These qualities do not represent a spiritually elite person.
Representing our relationship with God:
1. Poor in spirit... (v3)
2. Those who mourn... (v4)
3. The meek... (v5)
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness... (v6)
Representing our relationship with Others:
5. The merciful... (v7)
6. Pure in heart... (v8)
7. Peacemakers... (v9)
8. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness... (v10-12)
