Blessed

I’d like us to consider the word Blessed as used by Jesus in the Beatitudes, a preamble of sorts to His Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapter 5.

We won’t be able to touch on every statement today but at least we can make a start and continue another day.

Jesus spent a lot of time on mountains. He would retreat to the mountain top, a solitary place, where He could commune with God. In the Old Testament many spiritual events occurred on mountains.

photo by O'Reilly Lewis

Mount Moriah is the place where Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac, until he encountered God. Moses’ first encounter with God was at the foot of Mount Sinai, and it was atop that same mountain that he spent 40 days and nights with God. David established fortification, lived and talked with God, often through the prophet Nathan, on Mount Zion.

All of them encountered God on a mountain. Mountains represent places of closeness to God, places of power and authority in the spiritual realm, places where one experiences God’s Presence.

It was on a “high mountain” that Jesus’ appearance changed; He was transfigured in sight of Peter, James and John, soon thereafter they were bathed in the brilliant light-radiant Presence of God (see Matthew 17)

So, it is no wonder that Jesus would have allowed the crowd to follow Him and His disciples up a mountain, where they could hear this all-important, all-empowering life-transforming sermon.

Jesus' introduction to His sermon, the Beatitudes, with its deep spiritual connotations, is connected to other passages found in the Old Testament, so Jesus’ words would not have been completely unfamiliar to His audience, as in those days, without the benefit of the Bible, Scripture had to be learnt and memorized from a very early age.

Jesus was putting a new spin on it, to give His listeners then, and us now, a deeper understanding of what could be, their “blessed” state of being.

In His sermon, Jesus begins each statement with “Blessed”. I don’t know what you think Jesus is conveying with the word “blessed” but those Hebrew people on that mountain would have understood “asher” or “makarios” as a state of genuine contentment or true happiness.

The use of this word was not a promise of some future inheritance but an assurance of a condition that can be possessed now, at the present time. Blessed could be what you are even while you are going through challenges. Blessed could be your current position, however, there are always conditions to be met, and Jesus is clear as to what these conditions are. For instance, He says in Matthew 5:3, (see Isaiah 66:2)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This term, “poor in spirit” speaks of humility. It’s being humble not haughty with a sanctimonious attitude of self-reliance but rather becoming utterly dependent on God to provide your needs, knowing that you can’t get through this life without Him. It’s about seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first (see Mathew 6:33), then you will be genuinely content and happy, resulting in “all these things will be given to you as well”.

The Kingdom of heaven is meant for you to have now, if you would just live a surrendered life. Surrender your plans, surrender your hopes and surrender your dreams to God. Empty yourself, completely rely on Him and enjoy true contentment whatever the circumstances.

Chew on this for today.

 

Amen!

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Blessed” © January 20, 2025