Daily Devotions

In contemplating the many reference to the figure 8 in scripture, today I want to centre our thinking on the 8 Beatitudes of “the poor in spirit”, “those who mourn”, “those who are meek”, “those hungering and twisting after righteousness”, “those who are merciful”, “the pure in heart”,”the peacemakers”, and “those persecuted”.

It is so easy to become so familiar with this crucial teaching of Jesus, that raw truths no longer really feature in our day to day discipleship. C. S. Lewis describes Christian faith as admitting the bankruptcy of all our efforts to live properly. Faith kicks in when we have tried and failed to live for God on our own. Augustine presents the eight Beatitudes as a ladder by which we can climb step-by-step to God. Unsurprisingly, he sees the first Beatitude as showing the need for humility. 

Someone has suggested one way to have a renewed is to pray the beatitudes. Another suggests that we should become the beatitudes. In this way we avoid selective reading and living the beatitudes. As Charles R. Swindoll states, “The eight character traits listed in The Beatitudes are not a multiple-choice list where we pick our favourites.”

There are perhaps 3 significant ways of interpreting the 8 beatitudes.

1. First, these are eight character traits that identify true servanthood. 
2. Second, these traits open the door to inner happiness. 
3. Thirdly attached to each character trait is a corresponding promise.

There is perhaps a fourth benefit from praying and being the beatitudes for we read in the gospels, “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

Never before had His audience heard such marvellous truths presented in such an interesting and meaningful manner. I wonder, did they long to have those promises incarnate in their lives? Perhaps just as importantly do we desire to have those porticoes evident inner lives?

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Keep us from being preoccupied with money and worldly goods,

and with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are the gentle,

for they shall inherit the earth."

Help us not to be ruthless with one another,

and to eliminate the discord and violence

that exists in the world around us.

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted."

Let us not be impatient under our own burdens

and unconcerned about the burdens of others.

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,

for they shall be filled."

Make us thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness,

and actively spread your influence in our private lives and in society.

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall receive mercy."

Grant that we may be quick to forgive

and slow to condemn.

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they shall see God."

Free us from our senses and our evil desires,

and fix our eyes on you.

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God."

Aid us to make peace in our families, in our country,

and in the world.

Lord Jesus, you said,

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice,

for the kingdom of heaven in theirs."

Make us willing to suffer for the sake of right

rather than to practice injustice;

and do not let us discriminate against our neighbours

and oppress and persecute them. Amen