The Beatitudes: Pure in Heart
In the sixth Beatitude, Jesus continues His teachings on the kingdom, with outlining the reward for those who are pure in heart.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Pure (Greek: katharos) means to be clean and clear. This is a clear cut definition here. This is best understood by looking at the phrase, ‘pure in heart’.
Heart (Greek: kardia) means thoughts and feelings within a person. Your heart is your consciousness, your desires, and your intentions. But what does it mean to be pure in heart?
The Jews of Jesus’ time were obsessed with outward cleanliness. Ritual cleansing, eating clean animals, and keeping the law. While they had some concern for how they were seen by God, they were far more concerned with how they were seen by others. They wanted to be regarded as holy.
But, as the Bible says, God doesn’t look at the outward appearance of a person. He sees the inside of your heart, your desires, your thoughts and feelings. What Jesus rewards is pure thinking, righteous desires, and good intentions. Jesus rewards good thoughts and feelings. Those feelings should be love, compassion, patience, and kindness. Those desires should be to uphold God’s plan, to put others before yourself, and to seek justice. Those intentions should be to do all things for the glory of God!
Now let’s move to the second part of this verse - seeing God. Jesus says that those who are pure in their hearts will see God. This is the reward for those who are living lives that are pure on the inside rather than just on the outside. And what a reward it is! This is to be in the presence of God. FOREVER! In the context of the times, to see something meant you could possess it. If you are pure in your heart, then you will not only see God but also you can possess Him. You cannot have any share in this possession if you are living in sin. You must be saved by the blood of Jesus and His grace in order to see God.
Now, it’s not easy, but we must recognize that in order to experience God, to see Him, and possess Him, we must purify our heart, by having good thoughts and feelings, righteous desires, and good intentions. We must glorify God in all actions, all thoughts, and all feelings!
Buzz
