Sources of blessings according to Jesus

Matthew 5:1-10 (NIV)

Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Jesus proclaimed that there are at least 8 ways that you can feel and be blessed.  The word He used for blessed (“makarios”) can mean “happy”, but Jesus used this word in a broader sense to reveal who possesses the favor of God and who is in the state of being in the fullness of God.  Each of these 8 beatitudes (Greek for happy) contrast the difference between what the world thinks brings blessings and what Jesus proclaims brings blessings. 

Jesus says that you are blessed if you are poor in spirit.  To be poor in spirit is when you recognize your spiritual poverty and your need for God.  The world says that you are blessed when you are self-confident and self-sufficient.  That attitude will bring you only temporary blessing.  To be poor in spirit means to have an attitude that you are not self-sufficient.  God cannot fill you with His love unless you are ready to empty yourself of self-sufficiency.  Being dependent on God enables you to be part of His kingdom of heaven that someday will be His kingdom on earth.   

Jesus says that you are blessed if you mourn.  This is not mourning because of the death of a loved one.  This is mourning or sorrow over the sin in your life and the sin in others that if not forgiven in Christ will lead to eternal damnation.  The world says that you find happiness when you seek pleasure for yourself.  Jesus says that your mourning will be blessed by the comfort He provides, not what the world provides.

Jesus says that you are blessed if you are meek.  Ha, says the world, you cannot be happy unless you are proud, powerful and important.  No, Jesus says that being meek is the right attitude you have toward others, that you do not assert your rights over others’, that you have given control of your life over to God and you along with all other meek people will inherit the earth.

Jesus says that you are blessed when you hunger and thirst for righteousness.  This simply means that you have a sincere desire to seek God, to be His child, and to practice His spiritual priorities.  The world says that you will be blessed if you are satisfied with what you have in the world, your possessions and talents.  No, you are truly blessed when you desire to know God and His will for your life and you will be filled with all that He has to offer that the world can never offer. 

Jesus says that you are blessed when you are merciful.  Being merciful means to be caring, forgiving and to love others as you love yourself.  The world will say that you are blessed only if you take care of yourself without any concern for others.  Jesus says that when you have sensitivity for the needs of others and feel their hurts, you will be blessed because of the mercy you in turn will receive from God.

Jesus says that you are blessed when you are pure in heart.  To be pure in heart is to desire holiness, to seek the truth of God and to avoid the lust of the flesh and the eyes and the boastful pride of life.  The world will say that those who are “adult”, sophisticated and broad-minded, and pretending to be someone you are not is the way to happiness.  To be pure in heart is to be completely open and honest to God and His presence in you radiates through you in positive ways to others. 

Jesus says that you are blessed when you are a peacemaker.  A peacemaker is someone who brings peace to others and, of course, has peace with God.  You do not lose your temper, you have self-control and you encourage others to work out their differences without hurting each other.  The world will say that blessed are those who are competitive and aggressive.  Lasting blessings happen when you bring peace to others and do not exacerbate aggressiveness. 

Finally, Jesus says that you are blessed when you are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness.  You will feel God’s favor when you stand up for what you believe without compromising your beliefs.  The world will say that people who want to be popular no matter what and don’t ever take stands are the happiest.  No, the Bible is clear that those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (II Tim 3:12), yet such individuals solidify their place in the kingdom of heaven and this truth brings true “makarios”. 

What are your thoughts as you meditate over what is basically a contrast between God’s value system and the world’s value system?  Realize that what Jesus taught here challenges everything you may have been taught prior to becoming a Christian.  May all these blessings happen to you as you allow the Lordship of Christ to change what you value and who you become.