Our meditations upon the Beatitudes would not be complete unless they turned our thoughts to the Person of our blessed Lord. As we have endeavored to show, they describe the character and conduct of a Christian. Since Christian character is formed in us by the experiential process of our being conformed to the image of God’s Son, then we must turn our gaze upon Him who is the perfect pattern.
In the Lord Jesus Christ we find the brightest manifestations and the highest exemplifications of all the various spiritual graces that are found (as dim reflections) in His followers. Not one or two but all of these perfections were displayed by Him, for He is not only lovely, but “altogether lovely” (Song of Sol. 5:16). May the Holy Spirit, who is here to glorify Him, take now of the things of Christ and show them unto us (John 16:14, 15).
First, let us consider the words “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” How marvelous it is to see how the Scriptures speak of Him who was rich becoming poor for our sakes, that we through His poverty might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). Great indeed was the poverty into which He entered. Born of parents who were poor in this world’s goods, He commenced His earthly life in a manger. During His youth and early manhood, He toiled at the carpenter’s bench.
After His public ministry had begun, He declared that though the foxes had their holes and the birds of the air their nests, the Son of Man had not where to lay His head (Luke 9:58). If we trace out the Messianic utterances recorded in the Psalms by the Spirit of prophecy, we shall find that again and again He confessed to God His poverty of spirit: “I am poor and sorrowful” (Psalm 69:29); “Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear Me: for I am poor and needy” (Psalm 86:1); “For I am poor and needy, and My heart is wounded within Me” (Psalm 109:22).
Second, let us ponder the words, “Blessed are they that mourn.” Christ was indeed the chief Mourner. Old Testament prophecy contemplated Him as “a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief ” (Isaiah 53:3). When contending with the Pharisees over their slavish observance of the Sabbath, and while seeking to teach them, by precept and example, a proper understanding of God’s holy institution, He “grieved for the hardness of their hearts” (Mark 3:5). Behold Him sighing before He healed the deaf and dumb man (Mark 7:34). Mark Him weeping by the graveside of Lazarus ( John 11:35). Hear His lamentation over the beloved city: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often would I have gathered thy children together” (Matthew 23:37).
Draw near and reverently behold Him in the gloom of Gethsemane, pouring out His petitions to the Father “with strong crying and tears” (Hebrews 5:7). Bow down in awe and wonder as you hear Him crying from the cross, “My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).
Hearken to His plaintive plea, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow” (Lamentations 1:12).
Author Resource:-
This article is presented by Pablo Perez and Spiritual Fuel. The words of the article were written by A.W. Pink (One of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century). Access more inspiring Christian articles on Spiritual Fuel - a Free Devotional Newsletter.
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