Beatitudes, The Preamble To The Christian Constitution

by Chuck Ness

The reason for Jesus coming into the World, was so that one day He would become the last sacrifice for our sins, and ultimately the forever sacrifice so that we can have eternal life. He came so the blind could see, the deaf could hear, the lame could walk, the lepers could be cleansed, the dead could gain life, and that the poor could hear the Good News from the very source Himself.

While presenting the Gospel to the World, Jesus would spend three years discipling men who would become Priests. These men would be commissioned to raise up others to become Priests, so that the good news would be heard throughout the World.

There were too many moments to write about them all, but in those three years Jesus shared the truths of God's Word with His followers. As John tells us,

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25

Jesus presented many sermons, but His greatest was a Sermon he gave on a mountain near Capernaum. Tradition ascribes the site as an extinct volcano named Karne Hittim. Like all Rabbis did when they taught, Jesus sat down when He presented His message. I have always ascribed to the idea that this sermon is the Constitution of Christianity, because it was intended to show us what God expects from us, and what we may expect from him.

It is by all accounts the standard for which all Christians should compare themselves to. Not against each other as the pharisees did, but rather against that of which God expects. This Sermon fulfills Malachi's prophecy. Malachi 2:1-17. He does so by correcting the way-word teachings of the “brood of Vipers”, known as the Jewish Priesthood. Instead of being true shepherds who were interested in what was good for their Master's sheep, these vipers cared only for what was good for themselves. Like wolves in sheep clothing, they led the flock astray where Satan could have free reign upon their souls. 

What then? If I consider the Sermon on the Mount to be the Constitution of Christianity, then the Epistles would have to be considered a type of Federalist Papers. For like those articles which were posted in news papers to help the citizens understand what the Constitution meant to them, the epistles did a similar thing for the teachings of Christ. They expounded upon His teachings, while taking on the lies being spread about by Satan's minions. Thus Christians could better understand His teachings, thanks to the letters written by Paul and others. Which brings me to the subject of today's commentary, the Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes is to the Sermon on the Mount, what the preamble is to the U.S. Constitution. The preamble to the U.S. Constitution points out that we have certain inalienable rights ascribed to us by our Creator, which cannot be abridged by man's governance. Thus, as citizens of these United States, if we adhere to the following Constitution, then we will be able to pursue our happiness. In a similar way the preamble to the Christian Constitution points out that we have certain rights ascribed to us by our Creator, which cannot be abridged by man's governance. So as citizens of God's Kingdom, if we adhere to the following Constitution, then we will be able to pursue the Happiness which is ascribed in the Beatitudes. The one difference is, God keeps His word. Man does not.

While there were many present as He spoke, this message was specifically meant form His disciples, thus the message is meant for Christians. That's why you will not find Jesus stating that Salvation comes from believing in Him in this Sermon. Similarly, the American Constitution was presented after the war of Independence from England was already won. Thus it was for citizens who recently became free from the control of King George. Christ's Sermon is for those whom He has already freed from the bondage of the King of this World, Satan. As I stated, this Sermon is the Christian's Constitution which shows us how free citizens should live in God's Kingdom while we still live in the World.

The Beatitudes contain eight characteristics of a Christian’s walk with God. As His followers, we are His Priests who should strive to resemble Him. Thus, these characteristics is what sets us apart from those lost in the World, whom we are trying reach. If we, as Christians, reflect the image of Christ to them, then we will have a better chance of actually winning them over to Christ, and thus save them from eternal damnation.

Due to the length of this commentary, I decided to share my commentary on the Beatitudes themselves in another post. It will be an in-depth commentary on each of the 8 characteristics Jesus shares with us in the Beatitudes. God bless you all, and I pray everyone has a wonderful New year.

3.) “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
4.) “Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.”
5.) “Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.”
6.) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.”
7.) “Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.”
8.) “Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.”
9.) “Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.”
10.) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10