We often think of blessings as a monetary increase, a long-awaited vacation, or front-row parking at the grocery store. I would gladly accept all of those blessings right now. But when we turn to Matthew 5:3–12, Jesus gives us a very different picture of what it means to be blessed.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The Great Paradox of Blessing
The passage is quite the paradox from the vantage point of our natural understanding of blessing. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time rejoicing and being exceedingly glad when I am poor in spirit, mourning, or persecuted.
The blessings of heaven are different from the blessings on earth.
We often define blessing by what makes our lives easier, but Jesus defines blessing by what draws us closer to Him.
Earth says blessing looks like comfort and ease. However, Jesus says there is blessing even in mourning, because they shall be comforted. Isn’t that beautiful? And, honestly, I have experienced that firsthand; He has carried me through the darkest valleys of grief. Blessing isn’t always found in what is happening around us; sometimes we find it in what God is doing within us, beyond what we can see.
Maybe today you are walking through a season that doesn’t look blessed. Don’t allow the difficulty of your circumstances to convince you that God has forgotten you. Jesus reminds us that mourning can still have comfort, emptiness can still have a kingdom, and persecution can still have a reward.
You may not feel blessed today, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t blessed.
What the world calls blessed and what Jesus calls blessed may look very different—but I would rather have the blessing that comes from His presence than the comfort that comes without Him.
