“How to Be Blessed (pt 2)”

Sunday, July 21, 2024

In last week’s article, we examined Psalm 1, which says, “Blessed is the man who” shuns evil and dedicates himself to keeping God’s commandments (v1).  This is true, of course; but on this side of the cross, God has revealed more to us about his character, plans, and expectations.  The book of Psalms began with a short statement on being “blessed.”  As recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ ministry began in the same way.

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

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

(Matthew 5.1-3)

It’s almost unthinkable to call poverty a blessing, but Jesus isn’t talking about physical possessions.  He also doesn’t mean the sort of person we might call “morally bankrupt”—this spiritual poverty has to do with recognizing your own insufficiency and need for God.  We all share that circumstance, of course; but many don’t acknowledge it!  Happy is he, who knows he must rely on God!

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

(Matthew 5.4)

We might think Jesus means the one who is mourning has nowhere to go, but up.  But, in the first place, that’s not true; and in the second place, his point is really spiritual.  The person who recognizes that sin and death are grievous evils, and longs for their abolition and the fixing of everything broken, sees that life is not about this earth, but about eternity.  To understand that is a great blessing.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

(Matthew 5.5)

“Meek” does not mean weak, but it does mean humble or lowly.  It is the opposite of proud.  The meek person has deliberately chosen a lower status, rather than pursuing advancement and suffering humiliation.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

(Matthew 5.6)

Those who long to see righteousness also long to be righteous.  In Jesus, we can see the embodiment of righteousness, and by faith in him, we can become righteous, too (Ro 4.5)!

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

(Matthew 5.7)

From an earthly perspective, it doesn’t make sense to show mercy.  The guilty are likely to reoffend, and so the merciful not only miss the opportunity to seek compensation, but also leave themselves open to being hurt again!  But without God’s mercy we’re all destined for eternal torment; and God expects us to learn his ways, and shoulder a tiny portion of the burden he carries.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

(Matthew 5.8)

Purity begins in the heart.  A person can appear pure on the outside, yet harbor all sorts of evil within.  Jesus said the Pharisees were “whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness” (Mt 23.27).  Another person might not look like much on the outside, “but the Lord looks on the heart” (1Sa 16.7).

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

(Matthew 5.9)

God adopts peacemakers into his own family.  He is the ultimate peacemaker, destroying wickedness and reconciling its slaves to himself, through his own self-sacrifice.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 5.10)

No one enjoys being persecuted, of course—“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant” (He 12.11a).  But nested within that verse is an important point—suffering persecution is a form of discipline from God!  It’s not that we’re persecuted to punish us for our sins—Jesus spoke of persecution “for righteousness’ sake,” which is to say, being singled out and harmed for good behavior, of which the persecutor nevertheless does not approve.  But discipline isn’t always punitive.  Training for a marathon is extremely uncomfortable, and yet the one who perseveres through that discomfort stands a much better chance of finishing the race!  This discipline “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (He 12.11b).

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

(Matthew 5.11-12)

This last of the beatitudes is tied closely to the one that preceded it.  Both mention persecution by name, as well as a heavenly reward.  But this one includes more details, focused on the words people say about you.  No one likes to be slandered and torn down before the whole world, especially if it’s based on lies.  Jesus points out that most of the people we honor and regard from ages past, endured exactly this sort of treatment!

The central point, for all of these blessings, is that the way to be blessed, is not to focus your efforts on earthly rewards!  Those who are truly blessed are looking forward to heavenly rewards, which transcend and outlast this world.  If we only regarded Psalm 1, we might have pursued righteousness in the expectation of having a pleasant life on earth, as a result.  Jesus tells us, that’s not the point!  Whatever happens to us here, the one who is truly blessed, is the one who makes his home with Christ in heaven.

Jeremy Nettles

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