He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said.
Luke 6.20.
Christ came into the world to set up the kingdom of heaven here. The laws of this kingdom are the laws of heaven. The Beatitudes contain the substance of these laws. We should study these ideals of character, and then seek to get them into our own lives.
To be poor in spirit is to be lowly, to forget self and think of others. Posing as humble will not do – humility must be real. Hunger of spirit is dissatisfaction with present attainment and longing for something better. Sorrow brings comfort, and comfort is one of God’s best gifts. It is worthwhile to have sorrow that we may receive the comfort.
The hate of men does not seem desirable, and it is only when it is for the sake of Christ that it brings blessing. Loving enemies is not an easy lesson to learn, but it is the Christ-like way. If we are to be like our Master we must learn to love as He loves.
The important thing in all this teaching is to get the lessons down out of heaven into our common daily life.