Jesus made eight statements starting with this word blessed. And and here’s what the word means when you look at the original language, the Greek. I love this definition. And I didn’t know this before. Blessed could be translated happy. So if these things are happening to you, guess what? You’re supposed to be happy. Okay?
Blessed could also be translated to be envied. So people are supposed to see us living this existence and saying, “I want that. I want to experience what you’re experiencing.” This version of happiness, this version of blessedness, in the Greek is the word is “Makarios.” It’s different than our American version of happy. It’s not happy as in skipping along the road and everything’s great. That’s not how Jesus saw it when he spoke these words. Our happy is based on what’s happening outside of us, right? If the circumstances are right, I’ll be happy. Or, if my boss can just stay off my back, I’ll be happy. If my spouse can stop nagging me, I’ll be happy. If I can just have enough money in my bank account, I’ll be happy. If my dog could just stop pooping on the carpet, I will be happy. Been there, done that. But that’s not the version of happiness that Jesus is talking about.
He’s talking about the happiness that is inside of you that is blowing up inside of you, flowing out of you. Not because of the circumstances of your life, but because of who you are in him. This is the kind of happiness that Jesus is talking about. And of course, who wouldn’t want that? Who wouldn’t envy that? I can be happy no matter what kind of junk and crap is happening in my life, I can still be joyful and happy and have a wonderful life. Yes you can, and Jesus is giving us the formula today.
