The Blessed Life (Pastor David de la Cruz)
Jesus changes our perspective on what it means to be blessed in his teaching on blessedness called the Beatitudes (Matt 5:1-12), which begins His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
The word “beatitude” means “a supreme blessing.” The Beatitudes passage defines the highest states of being blessed (i.e. the apexes of blessedness).
Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes that being blessed is having an attitude and lifestyle that pleases God, not having health and wealth on earth. The eight states of blessedness that Jesus gives are as follows:
Being poor in spirit (v. 3). When we are spiritually “poor,” we come to God recognizing our own sin. Many religious leaders in Jesus’s day had a prideful attitude that they were righteous based on their own religious practices (e.g. strictly adhering to Jewish dietary laws). However, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit (v. 3b), or those who acknowledge their need to continually get right with God.
Mourning (v. 4). The natural response to rightfully realizing our own spiritual poverty is mourning. The good news is that God brings comfort (v. 4b).
Being meek (v. 5). Meekness, or being submissive to God, is not weakness. To the contrary, meekness is power held under control, because it is knowing that God has authority in and through your life. Jesus teaches that the meek will inherit, or take possession of, the earth (v. 5b), not those who are the strongest, biggest, or most arrogant.
Hungering and thirsting for righteousness (v. 6). Sin will never satisfy, but the pursuit of righteousness will. By desiring to know God more and living out His plans for your life as you join the mission of the Church and make an impact for Christ, He will fill you with contentment (v. 6b).
Being merciful (v. 7). When you are generous in showing mercy to others, you yourself will receive mercy (v. 7b).
Being pure in heart (v. 8). Purity of heart is having singleness of purpose in your devotion to God, or walking whole-heartedly with Him. When God truly gets a hold of your heart, sinful desires such as jealousy and lust no longer hold a place in it or divide it.
Peacemaking (v. 9). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6). As His subjects and citizens of His kingdom, and most importantly, as His children, we promote peace wherever we go (Matt 5:9b).
Being persecuted (vv. 10-12). Jesus says to rejoice and be glad whenever we are persecuted for pursuing righteousness and following Him, for our reward in heaven is great (v. 12). Even if we are killed for following Jesus, we are still blessed because we have the hope of heaven.
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