The Beatitudes - Lesson 7: The Pure in Heart

The Beatitudes

Lesson 7: The Pure in Heart

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

1 Samuel 16:7 But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for I see not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”

PURE

1. Separate from all heterogeneous or extraneous matter; clear; free from mixture; as pure water; pure clay; pure sand; pure air; pure silver [or] gold. Pure wine is very scare.

2. Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil. Hab.1. Prov.20.

3. Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. James 1.

"pure." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/pure (8 June 2014).

The main points for this lesson:

Remember, beatitude means happy or blessed. Jesus is telling us the way to true happiness and blessedness. The beatitudes teach us who will be happy and why that person will be happy.

To be pure in heart has at least two sides. On one side, the pure in heart are those who have a heart FREE from evil motives and desires, a heart that does not seek its own things (Philippians 2:4). On the other side, the pure in heart delight in God and his ways. They love him with ALL their heart. (Without this second part, we will be like the man in Matthew 12:43-45.) Motivated by love, they seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness. Both sides are important. Psalm 1:1-2 gives a simple picture of someone who is pure in heart.

How can we have a pure heart? For our part, we can purify our hearts by casting out the bad things that don't belong there. Choose to look on, listen to, talk about, and think about what is good and pleasing to the Lord (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:2). Find others who have pure hearts, and with them seek things that are pleasing to God (2 Timothy 2:22). Finally, though certainly not the least thing, ask God for help and strength, and for a pure heart as David did (Psalm 51:10). God alone is the great physician. He is able to heal our bodies. He also has the medicine and skill to cleanse our hearts.

Why will the pure in heart be happy and blessed? Jesus said the pure in heart shall see God. This beatitude holds a promise for both this life and the next. The pure in heart will both in this life and the next know God's favor and nearness.

In this life, the pure in heart may (or may not) see God in dreams and visions. The heavens may open for them as they did for Stephen. More importantly, they will find God drawing near to them as they draw near to God (James 4:8). The pure in heart will see more clearly the simple and humble path that leads to the God whom they love with all their heart. The pure in heart will see Christ as they serve others (Matthew 25:40).

All men will see God on the judgment day. However, it is only the pure in heart that will see God looking upon them with blessing and favor. How many will find God's wrath on that day because they would not cleanse their heart of all they should and fill it with devotion to God alone. At the judgment day, the pure in heart will have no other master, no earthly sin or possession or desire, claiming them, but will hear the one they loved and served with all their heart say to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” How happy and blessed the pure in heart will be then.

Those who do not have a pure heart shall in the end find unhappiness and a curse. Perhaps Judas Iscariot thought he could serve God and money at the same time. He allowed greed to remain in his heart while following Jesus. His heart was neither cleansed from all sin and evil desire, nor was it devoted wholly to God. In the end, Judas betrayed Jesus, and then killed himself. While the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17ff) seemed to hunger and thirst for righteousness, he allowed a love for money and possessions to remain in his heart. When Jesus brought him to a place of decision, this man did not choose to pursue a pure heart, nor did he choose the narrow path that leads to life. That love for the world that he kept in his heart led him to choose to forsake Jesus, whose yoke is easy, and instead to make money and possessions his hard and destructive master. Greed and love of money are just two examples of things that keep us from having a pure heart. Jesus spoke of many things we may allow into our hearts that will defile us (Mark 7:21-22). God appeared to Solomon twice, yet Solomon did not keep his heart pure. Thus, instead of favor, he found God's anger (1 Kings 11:9). Let us be careful to purify our hearts, to do this work fully and completely and to the end, and to fill our hearts only with God and the things above.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Read Matthew 5:8 with the children.

Give the children a simple explanation of what it means to be pure in heart: The pure in heart put bad things out of their heart, and love and obey God with all their heart (they fill their heart with love and obedience to God).

While many stories could be used to illustrate this beatitude, I recommend at this time using the first three stories below, about Elijah speaking with God (1 Kings 19:1-21), Jesus being transfigured (Matthew 17:1-8), and Stephen being stoned (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1,51-60). All three provide examples of the pure in heart who saw God in some way or another.

As you read the stories, you can ask the children who is pure in heart, and why. You may need to remind them of the meaning of “pure in heart” when you ask them. You can ask them how the men in the stories saw God. Was it always in the same way? What kind of happiness and blessedness did they find?

You could talk to the children about their own hearts. What kind of things might be in their hearts? Perhaps covetousness or self-seeking is in their hearts. Are they content with what God has given them, or do they often want what someone else has (covetousness)? Do they desire to please God and their parents, or do they want their own way instead (self-seeking)? You can point out to them (or ask them to think about it themselves) the unhappy results of covetousness and self-seeking (such as quarreling and arguing), and the happy results of being content and loving others. Remind them that all this has to do with what we allow to grow in our hearts.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

1 Kings 19:1-21 – Elijah flees after Jezebel threatens to kill him. He is led to Mount Horeb, where God speaks with him.

Elijah was wholly devoted to God. When many others had turned away from God to serve idols, Elijah held fast to the Lord his God at a great cost. He had to flee when Jezebel threatened his life, discouraged. Yet God visited Elijah on the mountain of God (Exodus 3:1). He was pure in heart. He did not allow evil to dwell in his heart, but instead loved and served God with all his heart.

Matthew 17:1-8 (or 1-13) [1] After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. [2] He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. [3] Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. [4] Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” [6] When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. [7] Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” [8] Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.

2 Peter 1:16-18 [16] For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” [18] We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

Peter, James and John are shown with their failings in the Gospels. Yet, these men left behind all that they had, and followed Jesus. In them we see men who are pursuing and possessing pure hearts. Based on this beatitude (blessed are the pure in heart...), it seems reasonable to say that at least one reason Peter, James and John were allowed to see Christ transfigured and to hear the voice from heaven was that they were pure in heart.

When Peter writes about this event in his epistle, he is recalling this event to strengthen the faith of others, never to boast of himself. Humility (being poor in spirit) is a necessary part of being pure in heart. It both leads to a pure heart, and comes from a pure heart.

In the story in Matthew 17, we find that Peter did not necessarily understand all that was going on. To be pure in heart you do not have to know or understand everything, but you must put away sin and self-seeking from you heart, and love God instead.

Acts 6:5-15; 7:1-60 (*for the children, just read Acts 6:8-15; 7:1,51-60*) - The death of Stephen.

Stephen was falsly accused and facing death. Rather than defend himself, he cared only for the glory of God and the salvation of men. Even as he was being put to death, out of a pure heart he looked to his Lord, and asked that mercy be shown to his murderers. Before his death, he was able to see God (Acts 7:55-56).

More Stories and Examples:

Genesis 5:21-24 [21] Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah. [22] After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters. [23] All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. [24] Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.

Surely Enoch was one who was pure in heart. He walked with God. God was so pleased with him that he took Enoch to dwell with him even before he should see death.

Genesis 20:1-18

Abimelech – Acting from a pure heart: When Abraham sojourned in Gerar, he said that Sarah was his sister. Abimelech sent for and took Sarah. He did this with a pure heart (Genesis 20:5-6 see LXX), believing that Sarah was unmarried and therefore available to become his wife. God came to Abimelech in a dream at night with a strong warning about Sarah being Abraham's wife. While this may not be the story we would first recall when considering this beatitude, it seems that Abimelech's actions being done from a pure heart and God's appearing to him in a dream to warn him are very much connected. In Abimelech we see the importance of having and acting from a pure heart. For what would have been his end had he acted from an evil desire?

Exodus 19:20; 24:12,18; 34:2 - Moses called up to the Mountain of God.

Exodus 33:11 Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn’t depart from the Tent.

Numbers 12:6-8

Deuteronomy 34:10-12 [10] Since then, there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face, [11] in all the signs and the wonders, which Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, [12] and in all the mighty hand, and in all the awesome deeds, which Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Moses saw God. He left all behind to follow and serve God and his people. Moses did not exalt himself or his own name. Within his heart he did not keep any love for riches or the passing pleasures of the world. He loved the Lord his God with all his heart. In Moses we see an illustration of Jesus' words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Further, as we consider the life of Moses in the wilderness, we see that the happiness gained in not the passing happiness of the world. It was not a happiness of everything going right and having no trouble. Moses found the true and lasting happiness that comes from God, the true blessedness of walking with God even in the midst of great trials and troubles.

Numbers 14:20-24 [20] Yahweh said, “I have pardoned according to your word; [21] but in very deed—as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with Yahweh’s glory— [22] because all those men who have seen my glory, and my signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice; [23] surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it. [24] But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it.

1 Samuel 1:20 – 4:1 – This is the story of the early life of Samuel, from his birth to his beginnings as a prophet.

This is the story of Samuel as a child in the midst of corruption. God speaks to a little boy who is pure in heart.

1 Kings 11:1-13 [9] Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,

God appeared to Solomon twice, in Gibeon (1 Kings 3:5) and after the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 9:2). Yet this is a stern warning to us. Though Solomon may have been pure in heart earlier in his life, he did not remain faithful to God, he did not keep his heart pure to the end, and so saw the anger of God instead. Purity of heart is not something for just a moment in time. It must be a lifelong pursuit, to the very end. Then, on the day of judgment, we will see God and hear “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Luke 1:26-38 – The angel Gabriel is sent to Mary.

Mary was chosen to be mother of Jesus. She is pure in that she is a virgin. She is pure in body. God saw that she was pure in heart as well, and chose her to be the mother of Christ. In her response to the angel Gabriel, we see that she desired only to serve God.

Acts 10:1-48 – The story of Cornelius.

In Cornelius it seems that God found a man pure in heart, living in the world, but not of it, serving almighty God. God chose him from among the gentiles to clearly receive the Holy Spirit and so open the door of faith to the gentile world. Did Cornelius see God? An angel came, then the apostle Peter, and finally the Holy Spirit.

Many people saw Jesus' miracles and heard his teaching. The pure in heart saw him as the Christ, the son of the living God. Those who were not pure in heart heard and saw the same things, but could not come to see who Jesus really was. One example of those who could not see Jesus as the Christ of God were those Pharisees who were lovers of money (Luke 16:14). The greed and pride in their hearts blinded them so they could not see the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' telling of the coming day of judgment in Matthew 25, the sheep were those who cared for those in need without any selfish motive. They sought only to love and serve their God by loving their neighbor as themselves. They discovered that on earth they had cared for Jesus himself, and that in the judgment, God smiled upon them. What was in the hearts of the goats during their earthly life?

Other Verses:

PURE IN HEART

Psalm 1:1-2 [1] Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; [2] but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 24:3-6 [3] Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. [5] He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation. [6] This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah.

Psalm 51:10-12 [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. [11] Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Proverbs 11:20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?”

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

Proverbs 22:11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

Proverbs 30:11-14 [11] There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother. [12] There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness. [13] There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up. [14] There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 [30] Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live.

Ezekiel 33:31 They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.

Matthew 15:10-11,16-20 [10] He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. [11] That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” [16] So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand? [17] Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? [18] But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. [20] These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

Matthew 22:37-38 [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 23:25-28 [25] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. [26] You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also. [27] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Mark 4:18-19 [18] Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, [19] and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

When the cares of this age, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things enter into our heart, we become unfruitful.

Mark 7:20-23 [20] He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. [21] For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, [22] covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Luke 11:39-40 [39] The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. [40] You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also?

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

1 Timothy 1:5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith;

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Titus 1:15-16 [15] To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. [16] They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,

James 4:7-10 [7] Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

1 Peter 1:22 [Darby] Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth to unfeigned brotherly love, love one another out of a pure heart fervently;

1 John 3:1-3 [1] See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. [2] Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. [3] Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

GOD WILL HIDE HIS FACE FROM THE UNRIGHTEOUS

Deuteronomy 31:16-18 [16] Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up, and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land, where they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. [17] Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our God is not among us?’ [18] I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.

Deuteronomy 32:19-20 [19] Yahweh saw and abhorred, because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. [20] He said, “I will hide my face from them. I will see what their end will be; for they are a very perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness.

Isaiah 59:1-4 [1] Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; neither his ear heavy, that it can’t hear: [2] but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. [3] For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. [4] No one sues in righteousness, and no one pleads in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and give birth to iniquity.

Isaiah 64:4-7 [4] For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him. [5] You meet him who rejoices and works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time; and shall we be saved? [6] For we have all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. [7] There is no one who calls on your name, who stirs up himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have consumed us by means of our iniquities.

Hosea 5:4-7 [4] Their deeds won’t allow them to turn to their God; for the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they don’t know Yahweh. [5] The pride of Israel testifies to his face. Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them. [6] They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Yahweh; but they won’t find him. He has withdrawn himself from them. [7] They are unfaithful to Yahweh; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the new moon will devour them with their fields.

Micah 3:4 Then they will cry to Yahweh, but he will not answer them. Yes, he will hide his face from them at that time, because they made their deeds evil.”

COMMENTARY

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible – Matthew 5:8

Verse 8. Blessed are the pure in heart - That is, whose minds, motives, and principles are pure; who seek not only to have the external actions correct, but who desire to be holy in heart, and who are so. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

They shall see God - There is a sense in which all will see God, Revelation 1:7. That is, they will behold him as a Judge, not as a Friend. In this place it is spoken of as a special favor. So also in Revelation 22:4, “And they shall see his face.” To see the face of one, or to be in the presence of any one, were terms among the Jews expressive of great favor. It was regarded as a high honor to be in the presence of kings and princes, and to be permitted to see them, Proverbs 22:29, “He shall stand before kings.” See also 2 Kings 25:19, “Those that stood in the king‘s presence;” in the Hebrew, those that saw the face of the king; that is, who were his favorites and friends. So here, to see God, means to be his friends and favorites, and to dwell with him in his kingdom.

The Beatitudes - Lesson 6: The Merciful

The Beatitudes

Lesson 6: The Merciful

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

MERCY

1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.

4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.

"mercy." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 31 May. 2014. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mercy>.

MERCY

1. That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.

The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Num.14.

3. Pity; compassion manifested towards a person in distress.

And he said, he that showed mercy on him. Luke.10.

"mercy." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/mercy (31 May 2014).

The main points for this lesson:

Remember, beatitude means happy or blessed. Jesus is telling us the way to true happiness and blessedness. The beatitudes teach us who will be happy and why that person will be happy.

The merciful are those who show mercy to others. To show mercy is to show love, kindness and compassion to others who either deserve punishment and/or are in the midst of distress and suffering. (I wrote the “and/or” because the lines between these are often blurred, or even nonexistent. Our enemies or the guilty may often be in distress and suffering. And those his distress and suffering may be, or appear to be, guilty or deserving of their distress and suffering.)

Jesus told a parable of a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants (Matthew 18:21-35). One servant had incurred a debt far beyond his ability to repay. He was sentenced to be sold, along with his family and possessions, in order to recover at least some of his debt. This servant was guilty. He asked the king, his master, for patience. The king was merciful. He showed kindness and compassion to his servant who deserved punishment. This is an illustration of mercy as showing love, kindness and compassion to the guilty, to those who deserve punishment.

In the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), the man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was beaten by robbers and left for dead. He was in distress. He was suffering and in need of help. After two men passed him by, a Samaritan stopped and helped this man (to say he helped the man is perhaps an understatement considering all he did for the man). The Samaritan was described as the one who showed “mercy” toward the man in need. This is an illustration of mercy as showing love, kindness and compassion to those in distress and need.

God is merciful (Luke 6:36). He shows mercy to us who are guilty sinners and his enemies. He commands his people to forgive their debtors and to do good to their enemies. In his mercy, God provides for the good and the wicked. He helps those who are lost, and he shows mercy to his people who are suffering pilgrims and strangers in this world. He commands his people to imitate his and so care for the poor and needy, the good and the wicked, and to visit the widow and orphan in their distress.

Mercy must include both outward actions and words, and a heart of mercy or compassion (Colossians 3:12).

In the story of the good Samaritan, it is possible that the priest and the Levite felt sorry for the man lying half-dead on the side of the road. However, by their actions of passing on by, they closed up their heart of compassion against the man in need (1 John 3:17).

At another time, Jesus spoke of those who give alms, who give help the poor and needy. Some give alms to be noticed by men. These have an outward action, but lack the heart of compassion. They have no reward from God. Others give alms because they humbly acknowledge that they themselves have received mercy from God and hope that yet God may show mercy to them in their low condition. Such will receive their reward from God, such will receive mercy, for they have shown mercy.

Jesus said that the merciful person will be blessed, he will find true happiness. The reason for this is that the merciful will receive mercy, both in this life and the next. Everyone has sinned and disobeyed God. We have sinned against God and against other people, whether parents, brothers and sisters, friends, enemies, etc. We deserve punishment, but desire mercy. Jesus said that the merciful, those who show mercy to others now, will receive mercy from God, the final and ultimate judge of all men.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Read Matthew 5:7 with the children.

Give the children a simple explanation of what it means to be merciful, what it means to show mercy. A simple definition: To show mercy means to show kindness to someone who was unkind to you, or did something wrong to you; AND it also means to help someone who needs help.

While all the stories in this lesson can be used to illustrate this beatitude, I suggest using the first three (Matthew 18:21-35; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10:29-37). The first story (Matthew 18:21-35) looks at showing mercy to a debtor, to someone who is guilty and deserves punishment. The second and third stories (Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10:29-37) illustrate mercy in the sense of helping those who need help.

As you read the stories, you can ask the children which person in the story is merciful and which is not, and how the people in the story did or didn't show mercy. Ask them who they think is happy in the story and who isn't, and why.

As you read the stories and afterwards, encourage the children to think about being merciful. To whom can they show mercy? (ie. Brothers and sisters); What are ways they can show mercy to others? (Not being unkind to someone who is unkind to them; helping brother or sister when they are hurt, and not just because I don't want to get in trouble.)

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Matthew 18:21-35 [21] Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. [23] Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. [24] When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ [27] The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. [28] “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ [29] “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’ [30] He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. [31] So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. [32] Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. [33] Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ [34] His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. [35] So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”

This story is a powerful illustration for both forgiveness and mercy. The king showed mercy to a servant who both had not paid his debt to the king and could not pay it. Rather than being sold into slavery, the servant was forgiven the entire debt. However, the servant was not merciful to his fellow servant who owed him money. The king found out and dealt with the unmerciful servant, and it was far worse for him then than before. Before, he faced slavery, now, he faced the tormentors for the rest of his life.

At the risk of making too much of a parable, I would like to offer some further thoughts for understanding this one and how it relates to you and me. Just as the king was merciful, so God has first shown mercy to us: He sent his only son to die for our sins; He made known his desire for our salvation; He has sent his Holy Spirit into the hearts of his servants that they may be empowered to live for and please him in all things. As those who have received mercy in this life, we are faced also in this life with those who owe us, or who have wronged us. If we choose to show such mercy, well. However, if we refuse to show others mercy, then woe to us. As the king showed mercy first, and also would show mercy (or not show mercy) last, so with our Lord and God. We must all stand before him on that last day and be judged. If we have not shown mercy to others in this life, then on that day we will not receive the last and most necessary mercy from the great judge of all the earth. Just as the king in the parable delivered the unmerciful servant to the tormentors, so will God do with us if we are found to be like the unmerciful servant.

Matthew 25:31-46 [31] “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. [32] Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. [36] I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’ [37] “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? [38] When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’ [40] “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ [41] Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; [42] for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; [43] I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ [44] “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’ [45] “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ [46] These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

In this account from Jesus, the sheep are those who showed mercy to those in need. The goats did not show mercy to those in need. Those numbered among the sheep found the words of Jesus true: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. The unmerciful found neither blessedness or happiness, but only an eternal fire for punishment.

Luke 10:29-37 [29] But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” [30] Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. [31] By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, [34] came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ [36] Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” [37] He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

We call the Samaritan in this story the “Good Samaritan” because he showed mercy to the man who needed help. Whatever the other two men may have known or thought about showing mercy, the only thing Jesus tells us about them is that they did not show mercy to the man who needed help.

More Stories and Examples:

1 Samuel 24:1-22 – Saul was pursuing David to kill him. He entered a cave alone where David and his men were hiding, not knowing that they were inside the cave. David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but showed mercy to him and did not.

David trusted in God and looked to God to reward and punish at the proper time.

1 Samuel 26:1-25 – This story is similar to the one in 1 Samuel 24. Saul was again pursuing David to kill him. David and Abishai entered Saul's camp when Saul and all his men were sleeping. Again David had the opportunity to kill Saul, his enemy, but showed mercy to him and did not.

We should be careful to not mix pride with our mercy. David showed mercy to Saul. Some years later, when David was king, the righteous God showed mercy to David when David had committed terrible sin and deserved nothing but immediate death. David confessed and repented of his sin, and God spared David's life. Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.

2 Samuel 16:5-13; 19:15-23 – When David was in distress fleeing from Absalom his son, Shimei curses and threw stones at David. After the defeat and death of Absalom, David returned to Jerusalem. On the way, Shimei came to David and begged for mercy to be shown him. David did show mercy to Shimei. He did not put him to death.

1 Kings 1:5-53 – Adonijah exalted himself to make himself the next king after David his father. When informed of this, David established Salomon and the reigning king. Salomon shows mercy to Adonijah, who was trying to make himself king and had he succeeded would have likely put Salomon and his mother to death.

2 Kings 6:18-23 [18] When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. [19] Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” He led them to Samaria. [20] When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “Yahweh, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. [21] The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?” [22] He answered, “You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” [23] He prepared great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel.

Both the king of Israel and Elisha had their enemies within their power. Elisha taught the king of Israel to overcome evil with good. He commanded the king to feed his enemies. It appears that mercy triumphed in this case, for the end of the story tells us that the bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel.

Other Verses:

Exodus 34:5-7 [5] Yahweh descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed Yahweh’s name. [6] Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, [7] keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”

2 Samuel 22:26-27 [26] With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect. [27] With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

(see also Psalm 18:25-26)

Psalm 41:1-3 [1] Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil. [2] Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive. He shall be blessed on the earth, and he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies. [3] Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness.

While not using the word merciful, these verses illustrate both what it means to be merciful, and God's delight in and blessing upon the merciful.

Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Proverbs 24:17-18 [17] Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; [18] lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

The merciful person does not rejoice at the distress and suffering of others, even his enemy's.

Proverbs 25:21-22 [21] If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink: [22] for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.

Daniel 4:27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.

Exekiel 33:11 Tell them, As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn, turn from your evil ways; for why will you die, house of Israel?

Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

When God proclaimed his name to Moses, “Merciful” was at the top of the list. In this verse (Hosea 6:6), the knowledge of God is not a different item from mercy. The one who knows God knows how very merciful he is, and so would know the great importance and value God puts on his people showing mercy to others.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 5:43-48 [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? [47] If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? [48] Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 10:42 Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.”

Matthew 23:23-24 [23] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. [24] You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!

Mercy is a weightier matter of the law. Showing mercy, having a heart of mercy and compassion toward others, including our enemies, is of first importance to the judge of all the earth. It is not a secondary matter, not optional, and not even just a good idea. It is a weightier matter of the law. It is hard to overstate the necessity of being a merciful person.

Luke 6:31-38 [31] “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. [32] If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. [36] “Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful. [37] Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free. [38] “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

Romans 12:17-21 [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. [19] Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [21] Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Colossians 3:12-13 [12] Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

2 Timothy 1:15-18 [15] This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. [16] May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, [17] but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me [18] (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:14-18 [14] What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? [15] And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, [16] and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? [17] Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. [18] Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 3:13-17 [13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1 John 3:16-18 [16] By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. [17] But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? [18] My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

Mercy involves both the heart and deeds. Both are important. The apostle John wrote that if we do not show mercy in deeds, we have in fact also closed up our heart of compassion.

COMMENTARY

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible – Matthew 5:7

Verse 7. Blessed are the merciful. That is, those who are so affected by the sufferings of others, as to be disposed to alleviate them. This is given as an evidence of piety; and it is said that they who show mercy to others shall obtain it. The same sentiment is found in Mt 10:42. Whosoever shall give a cup of cold water only unto one of these little ones, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose his reward. See also Mt 25:34-40. It should be done to glorify God; that is, in obedience to his commandments, and with a desire that he should be honoured; and feeling that we are benefiting one of his creatures. Then he will regard it as done to him, and will reward us. See the sentiment of this verse, that the merciful shall obtain mercy, more fully expressed in 2Sam 22:26,27; and in Ps 18:25,26.

Nowhere do we imitate God more than in showing mercy. In nothing does God more delight than in the exercise of mercy, Ex 34:6, Eze 33:11 1Tim 2:4, 2Pet 3:9. To us, guilty sinners; to us, wretched, dying, and exposed to eternal woe, he has shown his mercy by giving his Son to die for us; by expressing his willingness to pardon and save us; and by sending his Spirit to renew and sanctify the heart. Each day of our life, each hour, and each moment, we partake of his undeserved mercy. All the blessings we enjoy are proofs of his mercy. If we also show mercy to the poor, the wretched, the guilty, it shows that we are like God; we have his spirit, and shall not lose our reward. And we have abundant opportunity to do it. Our world is full of guilt and woe, which we may help to relieve; and every day of our lives we have opportunity by helping the poor and wretched, and by forgiving those who injure us, to show that we are like God. Mt 6:14.

(c) "for they shall obtain mercy" Ps 41:1,2.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible – Matthew 5:7

Verse 7. The merciful] The word mercy, among the Jews, signified two things: the pardon of injuries, and almsgiving. Our Lord undoubtedly takes it in its fullest latitude here. To know the nature of mercy, we have only to consult the grammatical meaning of the Latin word misericordia, from which ours is derived. It is composed of two words: miserans, pitying, and cor, the heart; or miseria cordis, pain of heart. Mercy supposes two things: 1. A distressed object: and, 2. A disposition of the heart, through which it is affected at the sight of such an object. This virtue, therefore, is no other than a lively emotion of the heart, which is excited by the discovery of any creature's misery; and such an emotion as manifests itself outwardly, by effects suited to its nature. The merciful man is here termed by our Lord ελεημων, from ελεος, which is generally derived from the Hebrew chil, to be in pain, as a woman in travail: or from galal, to cry, or lament grievously; because a merciful man enters into the miseries of his neighbour, feels for and mourns with him.

They shall obtain mercy.] Mercy is not purchased but at the price of mercy itself; and even this price is a gift of the mercy of God. What mercy can those vindictive persons expect, who forgive nothing, and are always ready to improve every advantage they have of avenging themselves? Whatever mercy a man shows to another, God will take care to show the same to him. The following elegant and nervous saying of one of our best poets is worthy of the reader's most serious attention:-

"The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed;

It blesseth him who gives, and him who takes:

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown.

It is an attribute of God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's,

When mercy seasons justice.--------

Though justice be thy plea, consider this,

That, in the course of justice, none of us

Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy;

And that same prayer doth teach us all to render

The deeds of mercy.--------

Why, all the souls that are, were forfeit once:

And he who might the 'vantage best have took

Found out the remedy. How would you be,

If He who is the top of judgment should

But judge you as you are? O! think on that;

And mercy then will breathe within your lips,

Like man, new made.

How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none?"

In the tract Shabbath, fol. 151, there is a saying very like this of our Lord. "He who shows mercy to men, God will show mercy to him: but to him who shows no mercy to man, God will show no mercy.

The Beatitudes - Lesson 5: Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

The Beatitudes

Lesson 5: Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled [or satisfied].

Psalm 45:7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

The Psalmist wrote that the one who loved righteousness was anointed with the oil of gladness. Many years later, Jesus said that the one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be happy and blessed, because they will be satisfied (or filled).

RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.

"righteousness." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/righteousness (27 May 2014).

The main points for this lesson:

Remember, beatitude means happy or blessed. Jesus is telling us the way to true happiness and blessedness. The beatitudes teach us who will be happy and why that person will be happy.

What does it mean to “hunger and thirst for righteousness”? To hunger and thirst is to long for something earnestly, to really want something. Righteousness is true obedience to God in our heart and living. Righteousness and love must go hand in hand, for the sum of all God's commands is to love the Lord with all the heart, all the mind, all the soul, and all the strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Therefore, to hunger and thirst for righteousness is to earnestly long for complete obedience and conformity to God and his son Jesus Christ, in heart, mind, soul and strength.

This hunger and thirst has (at least) two important aspects: First, I must hunger and thirst for righteousness in myself; Second (the order is important), then in others around me.

How can I hunger and thirst for righteousness in myself? 1) Examine myself honestly (1 Corinthians 11:28,31) in the mirror God's word and my conscience. 2) Pray for a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and pray for righteousness (Psalm 24:3-6). 3) Read the Bible as God's word and obey what you understand therein (1 Peter 2:2; Psalm 119:9). 4) Be willing to receive instruction from others, beginning first with your parents (Proverbs 2:1-9). 5) Flee from unrighteous, from sinful things, and pursue good things (2 Timothy 2:22).

How can I hunger and thirst for righteousness in others? 1) First remove the beam in my own eye (Matthew 7:1-5), deal with my own faults first. 2) Learn what God means by “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13; 12:7). God desires us to help others to do what is right with a help that is full of mercy and self-sacrifice. He does not want us to simply figure out how wrong and bad a person is. 3) Encourage and help others to do what is right (Hebrews 10:24). This begins at home as we help one another to obey our parents and to love one another. It is important to help others, but it is just as important to listen to others who want to help me when I do not want to do what it right.

Whether or not we can be 100% righteous in this life is not the issue here. Jesus tells us in this beatitude that we should not be discouraged from earnestly pursuing righteousness in this life. Rather, we should expect that if we truly desire to put away specific sin and desire put on practical righteousness, we will be satisfied. (As it is God at work in us both to will and to work, see Philippians 2:12-13, we may hope to be as holy and righteous as we are willing to be, as we are willing to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. If we are honest with ourselves, we will find that our lack of holiness or righteousness is equal most often to our lack of willingness or desire for holiness or righteousness.) He tells us that if we hunger and thirst for righteousness in this life, we will be truly happy and blessed because we will be truly satisfied and filled. This blessedness of being filled, or being satisfied, will come (at least in part) while traveling along the narrow path, and will come in all its fullness when we reach the end and hear well done, good and faithful servant.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Read Matthew 5:6 with the children.

Give the children a simple explanation of what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. It means to really want to obey and love God in our heart and in our actions.

The first four stories below (Luke 19:1-10; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:9-14; 2 Kings 5:9-15) are perhaps the best to use with the children, though the other stories could work as well. The first three stories consider this desire for righteousness in myself. The fourth story, about Naaman, considers this beatitude in light of encouraging and helping others to do what is right.

As you read the stories (you can read or tell the story in your own words), you can ask the children who has a hunger and thirst for righteousness (and who doesn't), and why they think so.

Also as you read the stories to the children, you can ask them who in the story found true happiness and blessing, and why they think so.

This time can be used to encourage the children to do and love to do what is good and right.

It can also be used to encourage them to help and encourage others to do what is good and right. The story of Naaman and his servants is a good illustration of this.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Luke 19:1-10 [1] He entered and was passing through Jericho. [2] There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. [3] He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. [4] He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. [5] When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” [6] He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. [7] When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” [8] Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

It could be said that Zacchaeus had a hunger and thirst for righteousness. He was willing to go out of his way to see this Jesus. Jesus must have seen his hunger, for he went to his house. Zacchaeus' hunger and thirst did not end with climbing a tree and seeing Jesus, or even with having Jesus come to his home. His hunger and thirst for righteousness caused him to give half his money to the poor, and to repay anyone from whom he had wrongfully taken tax money. Then it seems that Zacchaeus was satisfied, for Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house...”

Mark 10:17-31 [17] As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” [18] Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. [19] You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’” [20] He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” [21] Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” [22] But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. [23] Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!” [24] The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God! [25] It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” [26] They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” [27] Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” [28] Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all, and have followed you.” [29] Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, [30] but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last; and the last first.”

For the purpose of this lesson, you could shorten this story to verse 17 for time's sake, though the whole story can be used to illustrate the lesson. The man who ran to Jesus seemed to have a hunger and thirst for righteousness. He had pursued righteousness (Mark 10:20), and yet still seemed to humbly recognize some lack of righteousness within himself (Mark 10:17; Matthew 10:20). However, when Jesus plainly showed him the next step, this man lost his appetite, he lost his hunger and thirst for righteousness, and so went away sad. Had he listened and obeyed, he would have found true happiness and blessedness (even eternal life). It is important to note that it was his riches which caused the lose of his hunger and thirst for righteousness.

On the other hand, Peter and the other apostles had such a hunger and thirst for righteousness that they were willing to leave all behind to follow Jesus. While they found persecutions along the way, they also found true happiness and blessedness, and ultimately eternal life.

Luke 18:9-14 [9] He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. [10] “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ [13] But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In this parable, the Pharisee did not have a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Why? He already considered himself righteous. Yet, instead of being filled with righteousness, he was filled with sinful pride. The tax collector cried out for mercy. He saw his lack and knew his need. It could be said that he had a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus tells us that this man went home satisfied. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

2 Kings 5:9-15 [9] So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. [10] Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.” [11] But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.’ [12] Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them, and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. [13] His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” [14] Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. [15] He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.”

The prophet Elisha gave Naaman a clear command. Naaman became angry and decided he would not obey. His servants encouraged him to obey. Naaman listened to his servants and was not only healed of his leprosy, but came to know the true and living God. The servants of Naaman provide a good example of how to encourage and help others to do what is right. Were not such servants satisfied who not only led their master to physical healing, but also helped him to find and know the one true God? May we learn from their example.

More Stories and Examples:

Acts 2:36-47 [36] “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” [37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” [40] With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” [41] Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. [42] They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. [43] Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [44] All who believed were together, and had all things in common. [45] They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. [46] Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

Peter spoke this message to the people of the day of Pentecost is Jerusalem. When they heard this, they realized their true condition. They had sinned against God. They longed for true righteousness. Their seeking first God's righteousness began with repentance and baptism. However, this was not the end of their seeking. They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching, in fellowship, breaking of bread, and in prayer. They also sold their possessions and shared with those in need. They continued to gather in love with one heart and mind in the temple. In these ways and more they demonstrated their hunger and thirst for righteousness. God was pleased with his people. Can we doubt that they were filled and satisfied? Among them there was gladness and singleness of heart. God granted them favor with all the people, and added daily to the church (to God's holy people) those who were being saved.

2 Kings 22:1-23:27

Story of Josiah. When the word of God was discovered and read to him, he realized his condition and the condition of God's people. They were far from righteous. Josiah shows us a king who had a hunger and thirst for righteousness. He spent much time and energy removing the old sinful things so that God alone would be worshiped and served.

2 Chronicles 17:1-11

Jehoshaphat sought after God. Not only did he seek after God himself, but he sent out men to teach God's people from the word of the Lord.

2 Kings 5:20-27

Gehazi had a hunger and thirst for earthly riches. Was he satisfied in the end?

Other Verses:

PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS IN MYSELF

Psalm 19:13-14 [13] Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. [14] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.

This is a good prayer for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Psalm 24:3-6 [3] Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. [5] He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation. [6] This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah.

The one who pursues or who walks in righteousness will receive righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

Proverbs 2:1-9 [1] My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; [2] So as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; [3] Yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; [4] If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: [5] then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God. [6] For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. [7] He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity; [8] that he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints. [9] Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?”

Some take this and similar verses to mean that we cannot attain to complete righteousness. Whether it means this or not in light of the whole of scripture, this proverb is not given as a discouragement to earnestly pursuing righteousness.

Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.

Matthew 6:31-33 [31] “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

Seeking first God's kingdom is not a single event in one moment in time, nor is seeking his righteousness. Rather, these should be guiding principles or goals throughout our life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:7-15 [7] However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; [10] that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; [11] if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. [13] Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.

1 Timothy 6:9-12 [9] But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. [12] Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

Some hunger and thirst after earthly treasure. The apostle Paul warned against a hunger and thirst for the riches of this life. The people of God are to flee such things and instead follow after righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 [14] But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. [15] From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. [16] Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Peter 2:1-4 [1] Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, [2] as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow, [3] if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious: [4] coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.

1 John 3:1-3 [1] See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. [2] Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. [3] Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS IN OTHERS

Matthew 7:1-5 [1] “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. [2] For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. [3] Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? [4] Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

When I desire righteousness in others, without first desiring and pursuing righteousness in myself, I am walking the path of hypocrisy. On such a path, love for others dies, and pride with its blindness grows.

Matthew 12:7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

God desires us to show a mercy toward others that will help lead them to repentance and that will help them to obey God from a whole heart. Too often we are tempted to not show such mercy but rather to offer to God our finger pointed at a guilty sinner (or at least what we call a guilty sinner). There is a definite need for conviction of sin. At the same time, mercy and love must guide our own heart in all such situations to help the convicted sinner.

2 Timothy 2:19-22 [19] However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” [20] Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. [21] If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. [22] Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Hebrews 10:24-25 [24] Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.

GOD HEARS AND BLESSES THE RIGHTEOUS

Psalm 34:11-22 [11] Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh. [12] Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? [13] Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies. [14] Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it. [15] Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. [16] Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth. [17] The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. [18] Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. [20] He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken. [21] Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. [22] Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

Proverbs 15:29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

REWARD AND BLESSING FOR PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS

Psalm 11:7 For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.

Proverbs 21:21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Isaiah 55:1-3 [1] “Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. [2] Why do you spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? listen diligently to me, and eat you that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. [3] Turn your ear, and come to me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Hosea 10:12-13 [12] Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you. [13] You have plowed wickedness. You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, for you trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men.

Romans 2:5-11 [5] But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God; [6] who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:” [7] to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; [8] but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation, [9] oppression and anguish, on every soul of man who works evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [10] But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [11] For there is no partiality with God.

Galatians 6:7-10 [7] Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. [8] For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,

While stated in the negative, the positive statement is that the upright or sanctified will see the Lord.

COMMENTARY

Luther's Commentary on Selected Bible Passages – Matthew 5:6

Righteousness must here not be understood as being the Christian righteousness in general, whereby the person becomes pious and acceptable before God. For I have before said that these eight beatitudes are nothing else than a teaching about the fruits and good works of a Christian, which must be preceded by faith, as the tree and main body or sum of his righteousness and blessedness, without any work or merit, out of which these beatitudes must all grow and follow. Therefore understand here the outward righteousness before the world, which we observe among ourselves towards others, that this is the meaning, short and simple, of these words: he is a really blessed man who perseveringly and assiduously strives to promote the general welfare and the right conduct of every one, and who helps to maintain and carry this out with word and deed, with counsel and act.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible – Matthew 5:6

Those that are perishing for want of righteousness; that feel that they are lost sinners, and strongly desire to be holy, shall be filled. Never was there a desire to be holy, which God was not willing to gratify. And the gospel of Christ has made provision to satisfy all who truly desire to be holy. See Isaiah 55:1-3; Isaiah 65:13; John 4:14; John 6:35; John 7:37-38; Psalm 17:15.