Matthew 5:7-8

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:7-8 RSV).

Question:

I have read through your interpretations of the Beatitudes but you appear to leave out these two. I would want a complete interpretation of the Beatitudes.

 

Comment:

We would never leave out any of the Beatitudes in any appreciation of the teachings of Jesus Christ. (They are covered fully in my book Meditations on the Mount). This particular Web focus is on passages about which questions have been submitted. I have, throughout the years, answered more questions about passages from Matthew than any other gospel—or any book in the Bible at all, for that matter. Yet as I look through my files, I don't see that anyone has ever questioned these particular verses. So thanks for asking!

The Beatitudes, perhaps more than any other passage in any of the gospels, have become so familiar and comfortable to us today that we run the risk of ignoring the revolutionary power they represent for Jesus' listeners—and for ourselves as well. They stand the traditional religion of the time on its head. They assure people who have been told that they are separate from God, either because of perceived sins or simply because of who they were from birth, that they are, in fact, the very people Jesus wants to address, because their dissatisfaction with the status quo makes them more open to his new message. Basically, Jesus is describing How It Works in terms of what he knows as the only essential commandments: Love God unconditionally, and channel that divine love to oneself and one's neighbors as well. 

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" is a simple statement of spiritual cause and effect. Whatever spiritual Good we may want—in this case, mercy—will only be achieved if we first allow ourselves to be channels for that Good. Jesus is not saying that if God chooses to grant you mercy, you should then share it with others. He is saying if you want mercy, extend mercy to others; you will then feel and receive the very quality you're expressing. This is a universal Truth. If you feel unloved, find ways of extending love to others. If you are feeling lack, affirm infinite abundance by sharing freely. We are not here to ask and receive. We are here to know and create from that knowing.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." My Oxford Study Bible defines 'pure in heart' as "sincerity; freedom from mixed motives." I find that very useful. The pure in heart are those whose spiritual awareness is centered and focused. They are not trying to use the Law for mortal purposes or to solve human problems. Their only motive is to become better connected with their own spiritual Truth and purpose. That spiritual single-mindedness (or single-heartedness) will always result in the ability to 'see God'—to see the underlying, infinite, eternal Power and Purpose in everything. "Let thine eye be single," Jesus says elsewhere. That purity of focus, seeing and sending only Love, is the new consciousness that Jesus calls 'the kingdom of heaven,' which he challenges each of us to achieve.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed