Matthew 5:8

Wednesday, 13 November 2024

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

“Blessed – the pure of heart,
For they – God they will see” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus referred to the compassionate, noting that they will be compassionated. Next, He turns to the first verse I ever memorized. It was on a refrigerator magnate, and I was probably about five. It begins with, “Blessed – the pure of heart.”

Jesus is probably referring to a Psalm of David where this thought is presented as ascending to the temple –

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or 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 an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.” Psalm 24:3, 4

However, the psalm doesn’t explain how the heart is pure. Nor does Jesus address it now in the Beatitudes. This is the first use of kardia, heart, in the New Testament. One can immediately see the etymological root of our modern words such as cardiology, cardiac arrest, etc. But what is this referring to? HELPS Word Studies is a big help for our understanding –

“kardía – heart; ‘the affective center of our being’ and the capacity of moral preference ... ‘desire-producer that makes us tick’ ... i.e. our ‘desire-decisions’ that establish who we really are. ... [it] is mentioned over 800 times in Scripture, but never referring to the literal physical pump that drives the blood. That is, ‘heart’ is only used figuratively (both in the OT and NT.]”

Moral preferences, then, give us a sense of the meaning. Are we morally geared towards the things of God or toward the things of the world? With that understood, how does one actually have his heart purified? The answer is, “To adjust our moral self to match what God expects of us.” However, more directly, the New Testament answer is, “Through faith.” That is seen several times in various ways –

“So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:8, 9

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

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

In the last example, James is speaking to sinners. To become considered a non-sinner, one must come to God by faith. Only in Him is sin not imputed (2 Corinthians 5:19). When this occurs, our sins are no longer counted against us. Of those who have come to God by faith through Christ, Jesus next says, “For they – God they will see.”

God is Spirit. We will never actually “see” God. To see God in His fullness is not possible because He is infinite. The meaning of Jesus’ words, however, is clearly defined by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4 –

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

To behold Jesus is to behold God as He ceaselessly and eternally reveals Himself to us through Him. In Christ, Paul says elsewhere –

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:19 20

To see Jesus is to see the fullness of who God is because in Him dwells the fullness of God. Jesus is the means by which we can see, know, and more fully understand the Creator.

Life application: A couple of days before typing this commentary, the “pope” claimed that all religions are a path back to God. He does not ask any to come to Christ, he tells them that following their path to destruction is ok, and he makes a mockery of what Jesus endured to reconcile us to God.

Don’t be led astray by false teachers and false prophets. If one person could come to God apart from Christ, it would render the purpose of the cross null and void. Jorge Mario Bergoglio will most likely have to stand before God at the Great White Throne, give an account for his faithlessness, and then be eternally consigned to the Lake of Fire because he lacks the faith to have his wicked heart purified.

Status, wealth, position, or fame will not get you to heaven. Only faith in Jesus Christ and His accomplished work will do so.

Lord God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord who makes access to heaven possible through His shed blood. We glorify You for what You have done through the giving of Your Son. Now, with hearts purified, we may see You because we see His face. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.