There is ALOT of good, needed, spiritual meet in this chapter that shouldn't be read over lightly. So we are going to break it up into a few parts to really take on each section and gain full understanding of it.
Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount
Jesus begins by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Many believe this was about being physically poor, having no money, being broke makes you inherit the kingdom. But thats not what this was about, being poor in spirit is being humbled and the ability to admit that we need Jesus and we need a whole lot more of Him and His teachings. We dont need everything and we are humbled enough to admit it and seek His words on situations in life. When one is poor they are needing something because they are lacking. We always need to need Jesus as if we are in lack. Because the moment you think you have enough and you know it all, is the moment that you loose your humbleness and your “poor in spirit-ness”. We must humble ourselves at all times and always realize our deep need for Jesus. Jesus didn't want His disciples to become prideful in their knowledge they had learned from Jesus that others hadn't quiet yet learned, He didn't want them to loose their humbleness when temptations of pride came. He knew that many were coming to hear Him preach and He knew that strangers would see the disciples and see how close they were to Him and almost see them as some today would see a celebrity. He didn't want them to loose their humbleness and their need to constantly seek and learn from Jesus.
Next Jesus said, “Blessed are those who moan, for they shall be comforted.” We were created in love, to love others. When we see someone struggling or lost in their way, (which is often) we should feel sadness for them. We shouldn't fall into depression though, we should lean on Jesus and feel His comfort and Healing.
“Bless are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Meek is another word for being gentle, quiet, submissive, long-suffering (patient in spite of troubles), humble, obedient etc. We are to be all these things, humbled, obedient to Gods word, patient in times of trouble, gentle to others, submissive to God, and we will inherit (receive) the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Jesus is righteousness, whoever hunger and thirsts for Him will be filled in Him.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Or blessed are those who forgive, for they shall be forgiven. We were all born sinners, we need His forgiveness, and we must not be hypocrites, we must forgive others. When someone has wronged you, no matter how right you think you maybe to be mad at them and not forgive them, your only hurting yourself. Because God tells us to forgive others and we will be forgiven, and being mad at someone is the same has murder of the heart. No matter how are flesh makes us feel right in the situation you will always be wrong to not forgive anyone no matter what they have done. Forgiving others will bring you closer to God.
“Bless are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” To be pure means to be clean, unadulterated. When we repent we are forgiven of our sin and can be righteous in Christ. We ourselves don't hold the righteousness, Jesus does. To have Him dwell in you through the Holy Spirit one must be clean aka righteous aka repented of ones sin. God knows our hearts, He knows who obeys Him out of pure love rather than selfish reasons or out of tradition. He knows our hearts, we cant hide it from Him. Ones who have pure, clean, sinless, God seeking Love for God shall see Him.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God.” This is simple, we are to keep the peace. That doesn't mean allow someone to mistreat you, it just means dont egg on a bad situation that needs a mediator to help resolve it. Peacemakers are like mediators, their job is to stop the strife and find a peaceful solution, they don’t encourage fights.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Being a follow of Jesus can often time make people dislike you are your lifestyle and beliefs. It can turn loved ones against you. When this happens, dont create strife, simply be a peacemaker in the situation, show the person you love them despite their dislike of your relationship of Jesus and praise Him for you have inherited the kingdom of heaven. Allow God to comfort you in these times cause they can sometimes hurt and make you mourn, but allow God to give you peace. You cant force ones you love to choose God, He wont event force them to choose Him.
Jesus shares this, to help us to stay humble, seek Him, strive for His character traits that we need to inherit without gaining any pride.