To be blessed is interpreted in a variety of ways. The definition that we often relate this word with is the concept of fortunate. When an individual is divinely or supremely favored, we refer to them as blessed and consid them to be fortunate. However, it also refers to a thankful heart or even a happy individual. Some synonyms for those who we consider to be blessed are consecrated, sacred, holy, and sanctified. In addition, those who we find worthy of adoration, reverence and worship are also called, “blessed”. Therefore, it seems like such a contradiction when Jesus teaches in Matthew about the beatitudes.
In Matthew 5, Jesus gives the sermon on the mount, where he introduces the beatitudes. Here are the ideas he shares about who inherits the Kingdom of God.
He said:
“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 children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven...”
Without this teaching on the beatitudes, I certainly would not give the stamp of approval on any of these life situations on any given day and consider this person to be blessed. Nevertheless, this is what Jesus is pointing out. What we consider to be blessed sometimes is just a mirage. Here is what I am starting to understand. We often see the highlight reel of someone’s life on social media and consider them to be blessed. What we do not realize is that it is not the whole story. It is truly difficult to encourage others when someone is personally struggling with being discouraged. Yet, Jesus refers to the discouraged individual and the “poor in spirit” as blessed as they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. This is not to say that all who are discouraged will make it to heaven. This is going to show that they are entering heaven through the narrow pathway. They have gone through some struggles along the way and while their faith was shaken, they overcame. You see, never in the bible does the Lord guarantee us a problem-free life or a trouble-less path. In fact, He lets us know that while the world will be a difficult place for us, that we are never alone on this journey.
Jesus redefines what it truly means to be blessed. Blessings according to the beatitudes are for individuals who are b-less-ened. We are to be less of our naturally selfish selves and be more like Jesus. As a child reading through the beatitudes, it did not make much sense. In fact, it did not sound like a blessing at all. It seemed to actually be more like a curse. Scripture is not, however, suggesting that life is a curse. Instead, it is empowering the believer that with faith, they are blessed despite all the issues being thrown at them in this world. Life is a balance of love and loss, joy and sorrow, faith and failure. This means that we are able to experience and share these experiences with others in order to be blessed as well as a blessing to those around us.
So we are blessed even when we are broken in spirit. We are blessed when we have experienced loss, because we will be comforted. We are blessed when we are meek, because humility is the character God wants to share His Kingdom with. We are blessed as we seek after righteousness, for we will then know right from wrong and want to live accordingly. We are blessed when we show mercy to others, because God will show us mercy, as well. We are blessed when we are pure at heart, because no one has been proven perfect and able to see God otherwise. We are blessed when we are the peacemakers, as those who bring strife and disunity are not called children of God. Finally, we are blessed even as we are being persecuted for Christ because of righteousness, as we will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Now this is a really tough pill to swallow. We are not entitled to justice even when we seek after righteousness. Here is where the world has let us down. However, this does not mean that we choose a different path or forego the concept of following right from wrong. Hence, Matthew 6:33 emphasizes to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” We will choose righteousness, we still stick to the narrow path, but the road less travelled ultimately leads to the Kingdom of Heaven.