Rejoice and Be Glad

“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 sons 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, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:3–12, NIV 1984).

My Musings – These are the opening lines of what is unquestionably the greatest sermon ever preached. Christ’s manifesto, if you will. The opening lines are universally referred to as the Beatitudes, meaning complete happiness that comes from being blessed.

Some, at first glance, do not appear to connote either blessings or happiness (poor in spirit, mourn, persecuted, insults, false and evil accusations). “Rejoice and be glad?” Really? Yes, “because great is your reward in heaven.” Like being welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven and being comforted, to name just a few. And these do not include what most would consider to be blessings and invite happiness.

My Advice – But these do not belong to everyone. Only to those “whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered…whose sin the Lord does not count against him.” (Psalm 32:1–2, NIV 1984). In other words, those who have been saved through faith in Christ. They are His blessings to give, and His condition to impose. By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. So, let’s make sure we do not stand alone before God’s throne. Let’s stand with Christ by our side. Only then will we be blessed and happy.

Author: thebrewisamusing

I was raised in a Christian family and my earliest childhood memories include regular Sunday school and Church attendance as a family. I was taught that our Judeo-Christian values were not just a part of our Sunday routine they should be part of our character and influence all aspects of our lives. I was also taught that as important as these values were they could not save us. We must also be “born again” by accepting Christ. View all posts by thebrewisamusing