The Compass to Christ: Finding Jesus in the Beatitudes
- Jeremy Faivre
- May 31
- 4 min read
Crosswalkers Bible Lesson: 6/7 Meetup
Main Text: Matthew 5:3–12
Theme: The Beatitudes are a compass that points us to Jesus—not just in heaven, but here and now in the places the world overlooks.
Scripture Focus: Matthew 5:3–12 (ESV)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Part 1: Where is Jesus Found?
The Beatitudes flip the world’s idea of blessing upside-down. Jesus is found not in pride, wealth, or ease—but in brokenness, humility, and longing.
Key Teaching Points:
Jesus is found with the poor in spirit (v.3)
To be “poor in spirit” is to recognize our spiritual need and total dependence on God.
Supporting verse: Isaiah 66:2 – “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit…”
Jesus is close to those who know they cannot save themselves.
Jesus is found with those who mourn (v.4)
He comforts the brokenhearted and those grieving loss or sin.
Supporting verse: Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…”
The cross is where Jesus meets our deepest pain with deepest love.
Jesus is found with the meek (v.5)
Meekness is not weakness—it’s power under control, yielded to God.
Supporting verse: Psalm 37:11 – “The meek shall inherit the land…”
Jesus himself is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Jesus is found in those who hunger for righteousness (v.6)
He satisfies our longing for justice, purity, and holiness.
Supporting verse: John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life…”
If you’re starving for change—Jesus is your food and fulfillment.
Jesus is found with the merciful (v.7)
Those who extend mercy reflect the very heart of Christ.
Supporting verse: James 2:13 – “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
When we show mercy, we mirror Jesus to the world.
Jesus is found in the pure in heart (v.8)
Purity in heart means a single-minded devotion to God.
Supporting verse: Psalm 24:3–4 – “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…”
We see God more clearly when our hearts are cleansed by Him.
Jesus is found in peacemakers (v.9)
Peacemakers imitate the reconciling love of Jesus.
Supporting verse: 2 Corinthians 5:18 – “God… gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker through the cross.
Jesus is found with the persecuted (v.10–12)
When we suffer for His name, we draw nearer to His presence.
Supporting verse: John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated Me first.”
Rejoicing in persecution isn’t denial—it’s deep connection with Christ.
Part 2: What Kind of People Does Jesus Call “Blessed”?
Jesus wasn’t just describing a new set of rules—He was revealing the nature of God’s Kingdom to people whose hearts were open. The Beatitudes aren’t a ladder to climb; they’re a window into what God values and a mirror of where Jesus is found.
Mark 4:10–11 (ESV)
“And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables.’”
Just like Jesus used parables to both reveal and conceal truth depending on the listener’s heart, the Beatitudes function in a similar way. To the proud and self-sufficient, they may seem backwards. But to the humble, hungry, and seeking, they are a compass to Christ and a glimpse into the hidden Kingdom of God.
What This Reveals:
The Beatitudes show us where Jesus is at work: in the weak, the weeping, the humble, the hungry, and the hated.
They give us a Kingdom lens to view life not through achievement, but through surrender.
The promises of the Beatitudes are both now and not yet—we taste them in this life and will experience them fully in eternity.
“Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven…” (v.3, v.10) – present tense.
“They shall be comforted… shall inherit… shall be satisfied…” – future tense.
Group Discussion Questions
Which Beatitude stands out to you the most right now? Why?
How does this passage challenge our culture’s definition of success or blessing?
Where have you seen Jesus show up in your life when you were weak, grieving, or misunderstood?
How does Mark 4:10–11 deepen your understanding of how God reveals His Kingdom?
How can we, as a group or community, live out the Beatitudes in practical ways?
In what ways does pursuing these Beatitudes draw us closer to the heart of Christ?
Self-Reflection Questions
Am I depending on God or trying to be “rich in spirit” on my own?
What have I mourned or lost that God wants to comfort and use for His glory?
Where do I need to practice meekness or let go of control?
What do I hunger for most in life—righteousness or something else?
Is my heart fully devoted to God, or divided by distractions?
Do I extend mercy the way I’ve received it from Jesus?
Do I actively make peace or avoid hard conversations?
Would I stand firm in my faith if I were mocked or rejected for it?
Closing Challenge
Jesus is found where the Beatitudes live.
He is not waiting for you at the top of success, but in your humble hunger, your mourning, your mercy, and your making of peace. These verses are not about striving harder—they’re about surrendering deeper. The Beatitudes are a compass to Christ, and the Kingdom of God is revealed to those willing to walk the humble road.
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