The Beatitudes is the name given to the 8 blessings Jesus gave from his sermon on the Mount.
There has been a lot of misinterpretation about the beatitudes, fostering false ideologies like the poverty gospel or propagating the idea that its not right to aspire to be rich and live comfortably, which is wrong there is nothing wrong with that, or desiring that.
But the Beatitudes were specifically told to the disciples. Note in verse 20 that Jesus was looking at his disciples and told them:
And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “
Luke 6:20
Why to the disciples specifically is he telling this? Because the disciples’ life work would be dedicated to serving God and preaching the gospel and where the disciples found themselves poor, they were actually blessed because they would inherit the kingdom of God. And where they found themselves hungry they would be blessed because they would be satisfied.
See how in verse 23 it says to:
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
Luke 6:23
Jesus was telling them that its actually not a curse if you happen to find yourselves in those states but rather you’re blessed.
Now this is a steep message, a stark contrast from what we know and what the Israelites back then would have known. Usually, in Israelite culture if you were poor or in an unfavourable state it is was a result of you sinning and not pleasing God.
Not only that, but to those who were serving God, it was a notable position. Now Jesus is describing that being an apostle to him they should expect people to hate, insult and reject you.
The Beatitudes was Jesus way of saying to the disciples (to anyone who dedicates their lives to serving God and spreading the gospel) that where you might find yourself poor, hungry, weeping, hated, insulted, rejected because of me, the Son Man. You’re actually blessed and great will be your reward in heaven.
Signing off
Faith With Petra 