The Way of Blessing

 

This blog is part of a series looking at Jesus teaching to show how his words can challenge believers and non-believers alike to live a more fulfilled life. Instead of the word "God" I use "The Father" for two reasons, first G-o-d is not definable in any agreed way, and secondly because Jesus saw our relationship with God as being like that of a child with their Father. 

It's All about The Kingdom

Jesus teaching is a challenge, a big challenge. The nub of his message was "Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is near, and you are far from it". He so angered people of his own village that they tried to throw him off a cliff. In Matthew's account Jesus shows how the values of the Kingdom of Heaven are opposed to those of a selfish world. 

The Blessed

He begins with  a list of those who are blessed by the Father, a group of blessing called the Beatitudes.

The words “bless”, “blessed” and “blessing” are not often used in everyday speech. They have a spiritual feel to them, and we live in a very secular society. If we say, “The husband blessed his wife with a gift of flowers” it seems to have a deeper meaning than, “The husband pleased his wife with a gift of flowers”. As though the flowers were not simply pleasing to his wife’s romantic nature but were touching her more deeply in her spirit. “He was blessed with a beautiful voice” suggests that voice was a gift, a divine gift maybe, not simply a product of the singer’s DNA.

For me these words do have a spiritual meaning and refer to giving and receiving in our spirits.

These are the people Jesus says are blessed:  

• The spiritually hungry who seek to feed their spirit just as they feed their body.
• Those who mourn not just over the loss of a loved one, but who grieve over their own failures and grieve for those who suffer.
• Those who live a humble and modest life, without being assertive or arrogant or rude.
• Those who have a deep longing for justice – that right should prevail.
• Those who are merciful, compassionate and forgiving.
• Those who open honest and truthful, sincere, single-minded with no hypocrisy.
• Those who seek to resolve conflicts, and bring reconciliation and harmony.
• Those who persecuted for speaking truthfully and acting with integrity and honesty.

We would not expect such people to make much headway in a selfish world based on survival of the fittest and looking after Number One. So, what was Jesus getting at?

As always, Jesus’ message is about the Kingdom of Heaven. These are the qualities that are blessed, that find favour with the Father, because they reflect what the Father is like. Jesus is saying to live the life of the spirit is to be like a mirror reflecting the light of the Father out into the world.

But those who live by the values of the world, do not wish to stand in this reflected light because it reveals the darkness in their lives. So they will try to extinguish the light by persecuting those who display it. In the world’s eyes, wealth, power, and comfort are often seen as markers of success. But Jesus flips this script, declaring that the truly blessed are those who:

• Do not seek material wealth.
• Show compassion instead of seeking advantage.
• Work for peace rather than division.
• Endure hardship for the sake of what is right.

A Radical Vision

This radical vision reflects the nature of living a life of unslefish love, the life of the Kingdom of Heaven, in which the values of humility, justice, and mercy prevail.

Strip away the spiritual language and the Beatitudes are as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago. In a world driven by competition, consumerism, and instant gratification, they call us to live differently.

We can take Jesus words to heart by:

Practicing Humility: Recognize we need to live a less selfish life and serve others rather than seeking status or recognition.
Showing Compassion: Extend mercy and kindness, especially to those who are vulnerable or marginalized.
Working for Justice: Advocate for fairness and equity in our communities, standing against oppression and exploitation.
Pursuing Peace: Seek reconciliation in our relationships and aim for unity in our family, workplace, or society.

Conclusion

The Beatitudes are a pathway to true blessedness, not dependent on circumstances but rooted in eternal promises. They are a timeless invitation to live with purpose, compassion, and hope, embodying the life and teachings of Jesus in a broken world.