PORTRAIT OF A SERVANT

E. A servant is…merciful (5:7)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

1. This term conveys an offering of help for those who hurt and those who suffer under the distressing blows of adversity and hardship. Literally, it means to get right inside the other person’s skin…it is sympathy that comes from a deliberate identification with the other person, until we see things as they see things.

2. Listen to the words of the Apostle whom Jesus loved. Truly he knew what love was about. 1 John 3:17 says, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

3. Promise: Those who reach out and demonstrate mercy will, in turn, receive it. Those who remain detached, distant, and disinterested in others will receive the same treatment. Remember that Christ did this very thing; he got inside our skin to make it possible for Him to see life through our eyes with all the pain and anguish we suffer under the curse of sin.

F. A servant is…pure in heart (5:8)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

1. This character quality emphasizes the inner man. It implies not simply doing things right, but doing things right for the right reasons. The term “pure” literally means “clean.” It carries the idea of being uncontaminated, without corruption or without alloy.

2. The hypocrites and religious leaders of Jesus’ day may have portrayed a “pure in heart” look on the outside, but on the inside they were not so pure. In Matthew 23 we find one of the most severe rebukes ever directed towards the Pharisees. In contrast with the eight beatitudes, Christ delineates eight woes against the Pharisees which prove to be an antithesis of true servanthood (this would be a good later study to dive into).

3. The one thing that Christ despised the most among those who claim to be servants of God was hypocrisy. Here are four characteristics of the phony Pharisees:

a. They were big on rules and little on godliness.

b. They were big on externals and little on internals.

c. They were big on public commands and little on personal obedience.

d. They were big on appearance and little on reality.

4. Promise: the pure in heart will see God for who he really is. The Pharisees and other religious leaders could not see who Jesus really was because they were wearing the mask of hypocrisy. Servants who are “pure in heart” have pulled off their masks.

G. A servant is…a peacemaker (5:9)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

1. This is the only time in the entire NT that this word peacemaker appears In order to better understand the meaning of this term, its best to described what it is not:

a. It does not mean to avoid all conflicts and confrontations.

b. It does not mean to be laid back, easy going, and relaxed.

c. It does not mean to be passive, compromising convictions when surrounded by other who don’t agree.

d. It does not mean a ‘peace at any price’ philosophy.

2. First, a peacemaker is a servant who is at peace with himself, internally at ease, not agitated, ill-tempered, and in turmoil. Second, a peacemaker finds no pleasure in being negative, is accepting and tolerant, and works hard to settle arguments, not start them.

3. Solomon gives some advice on peacemakers:

a. They build up (Prov.14:1)

b. They watch their tongues and heal rather than hurt (Prov.16:24)

c. They are slow to anger (Prov.16:32)

d. They are humble and trusting (Prov.28:25)

4. Promise: they will be called sons (children) of God. Few things are more godlike than peace. When we promote it, pursue it, model it, we are linked directly with Him.

H. A servant is…persecuted for righteousness (5:10)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

1. Wrong treatment inevitable comes upon those who do right. Notice how the text implies that they will be persecuted, not “if” they are persecuted. Look at the couple of verses that follow on the heels of Matthew 5:10.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt.5:11-12; ESV)

2. There are times when the only way for servants to make it through such severe times without becoming bitter is by focusing on the ultimate rewards.

3. Promise: the Christian will be “blessed” when he endures with patience through such difficult times.



Concluding Thoughts:

We’ve studied in close detail each of the eight Beatitudes presented in Matthew 5. Combined, they form a grand portrait of servanthood, of what Jesus wants us to be when we grow up. Step up close and look one last time at each of the qualities: poor in spirit, mourner, gentle, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaker, persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Memorize their individual nuances and shapes. Imitate their emphases. Internalize their truths until your servanthood becomes as authentic as the Master’s, whose signature is on this portrait.