Who Are The Blessed Ones?
BRD REFLECTION 2026
Matthew 5:1-12 and Psalm 37:34-40 (NIV)
(Chow Yuen Peng, Pastoral Team)
READ:
Matthew 5:1-12 and Psalm 37:34-40 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The Beatitudes are a series of blessings pronounced by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount. These blessings emphasize the values of humility, compassion, and faithfulness, promising rewards to those who embody these qualities.
The Sermon on the Mount is not just a sermon but a revolution of the heart. In it, Jesus declares the blessings of God’s kingdom. He gives us a vision of a world redeemed by love, and declares the qualities of discipleship that will bring about that transformation. The Beatitudes sum up Jesus’ teaching about what it means to live as a child of God’s kingdom and what it truly means to follow God.
The Eight Beatitudes – Blessed are:
• the poor in spirit: recognizing our spiritual poverty and absolute need for God.
• those who mourn: experiencing Godly sorrow for sin, personal loss, or injustice in the world.
• the meek: submitting to God’s will rather than asserting oneself aggressively; strength under control.
• those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: having a deep, intense desire for a right relationship with God and justice in the world.
• the merciful: showing compassion, forgiveness, and kindness to others, echoing the mercy received from God.
• the pure in heart: having inner integrity, unmixed motives, sincerity, and undivided devotion to God.
• the peacemakers: actively creating peace and reconciling conflict, acting as God’s agents of peace.
• those who are persecuted: enduring hardship or ridicule as a result of standing up for righteousness and for following Jesus.
APPLY:
Jesus reveals that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are lowly, broken, and compassionate, not to those whom the world considers powerful. The Beatitudes function as a “roadmap for spiritual growth,” encouraging believers to align their characters with that of Jesus.
DO:
The first word “Blessed” in each of the Beatitudes caught my attention. I must open myself to the flow of the Holy Spirit dwelling in my life; otherwise, there is no way to live out the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus and be transformed into the likeness of Christ.
PRAY:
Almighty God I come humbly before You, seeking Your guidance and strength to live in accordance with Your word. I earnestly desire to follow Your word. Grant me wisdom to understand Your teachings and the willpower to obey them. Fill my heart with love, compassion and forgiveness as I walk in the path You have set before me. Help me to be a faithful steward of Your word, living it out daily in my thoughts, words, and actions. Holy Spirit, be my constant guide; let my life be a testament to Your grace and love in Jesus Christ. Amen.
