The Beautiful Attitudes of Yeshua

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

This is where it all begins. Not with fire from heaven, not with parables, not with healing, not with judgment. It begins with a sentence that may feel almost offensive to religious pride: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

Let’s take a moment to slow down.

The word blessed here is from the Greek makarioi (ma-KAH-ri-oy), and we cannot afford to water this down. It does not simply mean “happy,” “lucky,” or “favored” in the casual sense. Makarios describes a state of being that is spiritually full, completely satisfied, regardless of circumstances. In ancient Greek, it was used to describe the “gods”, entirely above worldly worry, untouched by lack, living in a fullness that no one else could reach. Yet Yeshua used it to describe people who did not feel holy, powerful, or even worthy.

He said that those who are makarioi, blessed beyond the reach of this world’s chaos, are the poor in spirit.

The Greek phrase is ptōchoi tō pneumati. The first word, ptōchoi, means utterly destitute. It describes someone crouched down, begging, with no resources, no options, no hope of self-rescue. It comes from a verb meaning “to shrink” or “to cower,” painting a picture of someone so empty they cannot even lift their head.

And what are they poor in? Pneumati, spirit. This is not about finances, personality, or emotions. It is deep inner emptiness, a recognition that there is nothing righteous in us, that we are spiritually bankrupt before a holy God. No bargaining chips, no backup plans, no resumes.

And Yeshua looks into that emptiness and says, “Yours is the Kingdom.”

The present tense, is, matters. He does not say “will be.” He says is. This Kingdom is available the moment we recognize our emptiness. The moment we stop pretending to be rich in spirit, God hands us everything.

The first Beatitude is not a throwaway introduction. It is the foundation of all that follows. You cannot ascend the mountain of God without starting in the valley. The Sermon on the Mount is not for the self-sufficient; it is for the broken, the exposed, the spiritually exhausted who are ready for something real.

This first sentence shatters prideful religion. If you think you have something to offer God, this will offend you. But if you have ever felt out of place in a room full of polished people, Yeshua is saying, “You are exactly where My Kingdom begins.”

The spiritually empty are the ones He fills.

That is the first beautiful attitude: Hē prōtē kalē diathesis. All the blessings of the Kingdom flow from this ground.

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Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

Greek: Makarioi hoi penthountes, hoti autoi paraklēthēsontai

Here is makarioi again, the divine fullness of blessedness. But this time, the blessed are those who penthountes, who mourn. This is not casual sadness. The Greek word penthéō signifies deep, soul-crushing grief, loud and unfiltered, the kind of mourning seen at a funeral.

And yet Yeshua says these mourners are blessed. They will be paraklēthēsontai, comforted. The root, parakaleō, means to come alongside, to call near. This is not shallow consolation. This is God Himself drawing near to the brokenhearted, holding their pain, and bringing healing.

Mourning is necessary for true comfort. Spiritual poverty reveals our need; mourning over it opens us to God’s nearness.

The second beautiful attitude: Grieve what is broken and be held by the One who can restore it.

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Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

Greek: Makarioi hoi praeis, hoti autoi klēronomēsousin tēn gēn

The word translated “meek” is praeis, often misunderstood. It does not mean weak or passive. Praeis describes strength under control, a warhorse tempered and trained, capable but restrained. Yeshua Himself embodies this: He confronted evil yet never reacted in pride or selfish anger.

Those who submit their strength to God’s control will inherit the earth. The word klēronomēsousin means “they will inherit” in a legal sense—the earth belongs to those who wait on God, not the forceful or violent. This principle echoes Psalm 37:11: “The meek shall inherit the land.”

The third beautiful attitude: Let your strength be ruled by the Spirit, and the earth will be yours.

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

Greek: Makarioi hoi eleēmōnes, hoti autoi eleēmōnēsontai

Here, mercy is the defining trait. Eleēmōn comes from eleos, compassion and active kindness. The merciful respond to need and brokenness, reflecting God’s own heart.

And the promise is reciprocal: eleēmōnēsontai, they shall obtain mercy. Mercy given is mercy received, a living reflection of God’s character.

The fourth beautiful attitude: Let mercy flow through you, and God’s mercy will be your portion.

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

Greek: Makarioi hoi katharoi tē kardia, hoti autoi ton theon opsontai

The pure heart (katharoi tē kardia) is unmixed, sincere, transparent. Kardia is the center of will, emotion, and moral decision. Purity here is integrity, undivided devotion, and spiritual clarity.

The promise: seeing God is not only a future hope; it is a present spiritual reality.

The fifth beautiful attitude: Keep your heart clean and undivided, and you will know God’s presence.

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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Greek: Makarioi hoi eirēnopoioi, hoti autoi huios theou klēthēsontai

Peace here is active, eirēnopoioi, those who restore harmony. God calls them His children. Being a peacemaker is a reflection of His nature, an identity more than an action.

The sixth beautiful attitude: Work for peace, and you will bear God’s image.

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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

Greek: Makarioi hoi diōkōmenoi dia tēn dikaiosynēn, hoti autōn estin ē basileia tōn ouranōn

Persecution for righteousness (diōkōmenoi dia tēn dikaiosynēn) marks the faithful. The Kingdom is theirs now, even amid trials.

The seventh beautiful attitude: Stand firm in righteousness, even under persecution, for the Kingdom belongs to you.

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Blessed are you when people insult, persecute, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:11)

Greek: Makarioi este hoti diōkousin humas kai enegalasan kai eipon pantos ponērou pseudē dia eme

This final beatitude is personal. Suffering for Yeshua’s sake brings profound blessing and joy (chairete). Your reward (misthos) is secured with the Father.

The eighth beautiful attitude: When falsely attacked for following Christ, hold onto joy; your true reward is with the Father.

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This completes the mountain. These attitudes are not just moral tips but the architecture of YHWH’s Kingdom. Each builds on the last: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, enduring persecution, and personal faithfulness. The Beatitudes guide us into a life fully blessed by God’s presence, power, and promise.