Today pastor Michael taught the "beatitudes." According to Merriam Webster, a "beatitude" is a "state of utmost bliss." In Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus shares with His listeners 9 ways in which one is considered blessed. He says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit...those who mourn...the gentle...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...the merciful...the pure in heart...the peacemakers...those persecuted for the sake of righteousness," and those who are persecuted "because of Me." I think most people would not consider it a "state of utmost bliss" to experience these things, in Jesus' day or today! Those who are poor in spirit and mourn would be considered seriously depressed or even suicidal today. And to be merciful means you need to forgive a wrong, and nobody likes to do that. And no one is pure in heart because that would be a sign of weakness. And to be a peacemaker often means to give up one's rights, and to be persecuted for doing good and standing strong in your faith in Jesus may require a significant sacrifice on one's part.
So why then would Jesus say these things? I can think of at least a couple of reasons. First, as pastor Michael pointed out, Jesus was explaining the attitudes one must have in order to see one's need for a Savior—Jesus Himself. The common denominator in all these beatitudes is humility. The only way one can comprehend their need for Jesus the Savior is to realize they are spiritually bankrupt (poor in spirit) and in need of His forgiveness and eternal life. This is a blessing because it draws one to Jesus where they can receive forgiveness and life.
Secondly, I think Jesus was issuing a warning to the "religious" of His day and ours. According to the teaching of the Jewish religious leaders at the time, if one followed the Mosaic Law perfectly (as they thought they did), then one would be so blessed they would have no need to be poor in spirit, mourn, be persecuted, etc., and as a result were assured entrance into heaven. And like those of Jesus' day, many today trust in their religious practices to merit entrance into heaven. So in the beatitudes Jesus was showing the religious that it's not about earning one's way into heaven by following the Law or doing good deeds, and that it's not the self-righteous who will enter heaven, but only those who come to God and say, "O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Great summary, Ira!🙏😊