Devotional: Matthew 5:1-6

Who among us is blessed?

Jesus says the one who is blessed, is the one who comes into the light and practices their deeds in the light (John 3:21). Jesus says the one who hears the word and understands it and holds on to it, produces fruit with perseverance (Luke 8:15). 

How do we understand “blessed”?

This word “blessed” in Greek is marios. It means happy and flourishing. But does this “happy and flourishing” only appear when everything is going our way? Does this “blessed are those” go away when everything isn’t going our way? Jesus is telling us about the human condition of people without God…poor in spirit and sorrowful. This is our human condition without Christ…broken and in need. Do we recognize our spiritual brokenness?…we are dead in our sin. Are we mourning because of our human condition…weeping over your sins? Jesus is saying when we are broken, in need, and weeping, struggling with our human condition…”blessed are you”! The Kingdom of heaven is ours and we will be comforted! When we begin to understand the grace, mercy, and love that has been given to us by God, this will produce a gentle spirit within us! With the gentle spirit inside of us because we understand what Christ has done for us, this truth allows for us to give the same grace, mercy, and love to others that we have received from Christ! The reward of living in this gentle “blessed” lifestyle is heaven on earth! When we hunger and thirst for God because of our brokenness, understanding God’s gentle grace towards us, and we begin to desire to know more of Him…we will be satisfied! Our hunger and thirst will be developed because we have experienced transformation inside of our human condition. We will begin to learn that we can’t do anything pleasing to God without Him.

The world is tempting! The world has many things to offer! The world can produce temporary satisfaction! BUT GOD, can produce true contentment within our human condition. Don’t be like King Solomon who gave up eternity’s wisdom for the sake of temporary satisfaction! Run towards Christ who provides true bread and true drink to all who come to Him in humility! 

John 13:17 “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them”.

“Father, we come before You aware of our need, poor in spirit yet grateful that You call us blessed and draw us near. Help us not only hear Your Word but live it with bold faith, and form in us a gentle spirit shaped by Your mercy so we may love others with grace. Turn our hearts from temporary things and create in us a deep hunger for You, that we may be filled and transformed by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”