22. The Sermon on the Mount (continued)
4“Happy are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”7“Happy are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
9“Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
10“Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Happy are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”d
13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.”
14“You are the light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
(Mt. 5:4, 7, 9–16) (continued)
d These eight beatitudes of Jesus teach faith and love. They may be divided into two groups.
The first set gives expression to four basic faith attitudes taught by Jesus. They involve being poor in spirit (humble toward God), hungering after righteousness (craving spiritual endowments), enduring meekness (cooperating with God—“your will be done”), and being pure in heart (trusting and sincere).
Those who have attained these faith attitudes are able to react to others with love—with tenderheartedness and sympathy ("they who mourn"), and with mercy (loving kindness and the urge to relieve suffering), to function as peacemakers (promoting a peaceful resolution of conflicts), and to endure persecutions for righteousness' sake. (“Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends.”) This love that Jesus taught is like that of an ideal parent—a fatherly affection that is even greater than brotherly love.
The faith and love that Jesus reveals in these beatitudes strengthen moral character and create true happiness.
Mt. 5:4–11 Happy are (TEV) / Blessed are (RSV) • are they who (KJV) / are those who (RSV)
Mt. 5:9 called the sons (KJV) / called sons (RSV)
Mt. 5:11 men shall revile (KJV) / men revile (RSV) • and shall say all manner of evil (KJV) / and utter all kinds of evil (RSV) • falsely. / falsely for my sake. (RSV)
Mt. 5:12 (KJV) • heaven. / heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (KJV) (140:3/1570–1)
