Understanding the Beatitudes Series 1 of 8 by Rev. Christine Emmerling DD, 2/23/2025

Today begins the series Understanding the Beatitudes. This series is 8 weeks and shall take us through the Season of Lent. First a little background. “The Beatitudes” are part of what is known as Jesus the Christ’s “Sermon on the Mount”. You may find this important work, with slight variations, in the books of Matthew 5:1-8 and Luke 6:20-23.

Bible quotes are from the King James translation from Greek, and the Lamsa translation from the Aramaic. In some cases there were multiple meanings to the one word, and the translators would pick the word that made the most sense to them. Also, meanings to some words have changed since then. For the average reader the “Beatitudes” could be confusing and miss the intended message.

There are many metaphysical interpretations which seem very close in meaning. Reference materials used for this series are from Divine Science authors; Emmet Fox’s “Sermon on the Mount,” Clifton King’s “Happier Living; through the Beatitudes” and Rocco A. Errico’s “The Message of Matthew.”

The Sermon on the Mount opens with the Eight Beatitudes. They are written as prose poem as a summary to the entire Sermon on the Mount. They are called Beatitudes as they are attitudes for us to live by, or formula for living the Christ consciousness.

The style it is written is compared to Buddha’s Eight-Fold Path with each verse starting with the word “Right.” While each verse of the eight Beatitudes begins with the same word “Blessed.” Having eight verses means of spiritual wisdom. Each verse is an instruction for a spiritual seeker on the path of unfoldment.

The rest of Jesus’ sermon gives a more detailed explanation. Jesus’ style of teaching was to give a message that had multiple levels of spiritual understanding and instructions so that he could reach all people. We can see it as instruction for awakening to knowing God, and its promise of blessings once fulfilled. There is also a mystical or esoteric message for our soul’s unfoldment to the Christ Consciousness.

Starting at the beginning of Matthew chapter 5, it reads, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Prior to teaching we have Jesus the Christ going up into a mountain. To some readers it may sound like Jesus left the multitudes behind to privately teach his disciples. Looking at this metaphysically or symbolically the mountain represents going to a high state of spiritual consciousness - that of God Consciousness or Christ Consciousness. It is having that connection to the Divine Presence within - our “Kingdom of heaven.”

Next we have “when he was set his disciples came unto him.” The disciples represent all his faculties, his energy power centers being activated, and his mind, body and soul are in perfect accord. This is more than just sitting down; his consciousness was centered in an uplifted state fully empowered of the Christ Consciousness, then he opened his mouth to teach, and from Matthew says, “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The first word to look at is the word “Blessed.” Blessed also means happy, joyful, content, delighted, fortunate, or blissful. As in “Delighted are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Next to be addressed is “poor in spirit.” Taking this first Beatitude literally at face value can seem rather confusing. To be poor, or poor in spirit, when we know that God wants us to be happy and not suffer or be deprived. Yet, still today many people believe that we are to suffer, and a person committed to their spiritual life should take a vow of poverty.

Fortunately, the Lamsa Aramaic translation gives another meaning to the phrase “poor in spirit.” It is with the word “humble”. As in “Blessed are the humble, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” When we look at this message with the word humble, it makes more sense; as to be without pride, arrogance, or self-will.

To be “poor in spirit” means to be empty of the puffed up ego or self-centeredness for the Divine Self or our Christ Self. That of turning our ego sense of self over to God. It refers to those who let God guide them.

A humbled person is open and receptive, and is teachable to new ideas. An arrogant person is filled with self pride, is rigid in thinking, and not open to the things of the Spirit. That still small voice within us is drowned out by a person’s own thoughts. In this first Beatitude we are given the lesson to be teachable and listen, and allow the Divine Self within us to take over in our consciousness.

We are then promised we shall have the “Kingdom of heaven” or in the Book of Luke, instead of the word “heaven” it is “God.” These two words are used interchangeably. Jesus also teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven is within us.

Heaven as defined in Divine Science Its Principle and Practice: Consciousness of the omnipresence of God. Spiritual realization of that which is “within” and “at hand” - the Omnipresent God, the Christ within. A state of consciousness in which the ideal is spiritually realized. It is the full realization that I and my Father are one.”

When we have humbled our ego-centered self we are able to realize the “Kingdom of heaven” or “Kingdom of God” as a state of consciousness. The promise is fulfilled of the person who attains God Consciousness shall be blessed, happy, joyous, content and delighted.

This is a key for us to know that the Divine consciousness is within us. Heaven is a state of God consciousness, as is the “Christ in you the hope and glory.” Jesus is teaching us about meditation and prayer so that we may establish our connection with the Christ within us.

Jesus came to teach mankind these great truths: God is within us, God is spirit, and that God is at hand - everywhere - Omnipresent. The belief of Jesus’ time was that only a select few were to ever know the one all powerful God. Jesus is teaching us to go directly to the God Source within our own being. The truth is at hand, right within our own mind, heart and soul. Jesus had this great message for all mankind even the least of them shall know God, and here is how – “in spirit.”

Jesus said in John 4:23-24, “The time is coming, and it is here, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father also desires worshipers such as these. For God is Spirit; and those who worship him must worship him in spirit in truth.”

From Divine Science Its Principle and Practice the glossary defines “spirit” as “Substance of the One Mind, Omnipresent. The substance of God, hence the substance of all. Spirit has within it all inherencies, all potentialities of the perfect pattern in God-Mind.”

Another verse that adds more clarity is in Matt. 6:33, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Jesus is talking about that state of consciousness when we are in silent prayer or meditation. That we can reach this joyful state of union in God when we humble our mind to be receptive and listen. We cannot talk and listen at the same time anymore than we can stand up and sit down at the same time. Try it sometime!

Now swapping some words we have “Delighted are the one minded; for theirs is the consciousness of God.” In one mindedness, a silence beyond words, in a receptive listening state of consciousness; we shall know God.

We begin with the first most important Beatitude; the attitude of prayer. We go to the mountain top; that special place in consciousness. Right where we are “God is.” Therefore, pray right where we are, in our home, at work, our car - our body is a holy temple. In the mountain top we humble our self before God by putting aside all other thoughts and worldly desires; being truly teachable. Having only one desire to being in communion and knowing God.

The rewards are great in the silence of God. In knowing God we are happy, joyful, delighted, content, blissful, blessed. There are no concerns to yesterday or of tomorrow. There are only moments of now. Here we build the foundation of our future. We receive true inner understanding, and the renewing of mind, body and soul. Rich is one that is humble in spirit – for all is at hand for one that hears, believes, and lives accordingly.

We have the Bible story of the Rich Young Man, in Matt. 19: 16-22, who asked how to have eternal life. In response Jesus told him to give away everything and give all to the poor then he could follow him. This man turned away sorrowful because he had great possessions, and couldn’t leave them. He was a prisoner of his own making. This story was not teaching against possessions; it was about the attitude concerning his possessions.

Metaphysically understood we see Jesus teachings are about the soul’s possessions. So we have the trappings of material pride, spiritual pride, based on outer appearances. We have our beliefs; how we hold tight to our beliefs and will fight to the end to save them, regardless in how they serve us. And, lastly we have all our distractions – our busyness, problems and concerns. It is so easy to forget the true observance of putting God first.

The following story happened when I was a young woman:

I had been spending my lunch breaks visiting the nearby jewelry store. I had gazed at this one diamond ring for weeks before deciding to put it on lay-a-way. It took a year before I could take the ring home. This ring meant a lot to me.

That summer while my children were visiting family, I met a young woman in need of shelter and invited her into my home in exchange for chores. Right away I discovered this was a mistake and had her leave. She then broke in and stole the ring among other items. For weeks I was irate. Then realized that this was a lesson in attachment. That I had allowed an object to take away my peace and joy. It was also a lesson in forgiveness, not only the person who stole, but also me for my lack in judgement.

According to Divine Science co-founder, Nona Brooks, in her book Mysteries writes, “first thing in the morning, at the very moment upon awakening, to make God first. Those first few moments, before any thoughts come rushing in, are the very most important of the day as they set the tone, the energy, the atmosphere for the rest of your activities. And, may be the only time that you find that level of quietude.

When you think there isn’t enough time in the morning, you will find that you lose a lot more time by not putting God first. For, when we start the morning with prayer, gratitude quiet time to connect and be still, the day flows more easily, answers come quickly, and emergencies stay off bay.” (end of quote)

So let us remember to put to practice today’s lesson through our daily connection, and truly we shall be “Blessed” in knowing God within and everywhere present – that mystical connection – that sends the Christ before us to make the crooked roads straight. Then truly we can say “Happy are the humbled; for theirs is the consciousness of God.”