It is important that we realize that the Beatitudes describe all Christians – not what we do as much as what we are. Jesus is not describing the character of a specific “clergy class” or “super disciple,” but of every Christ follower. All Christians are meant to manifest all of these qualities. Not only are we meant to be like this, but we actually manifest the qualities in increasing increments of glory. This is the glory of the Gospel – Christ takes a poor miserable sinner, blinded to his condition, living in pride and arrogance, and makes him into one who is humble and poor in spirit. Of course it is not until we are glorified that we will manifest all of the Beatitudes perfectly; however, we cannot relegate this blessed state merely to the future, for it describes us who are kingdom citizens living as aliens in this world today.
