Notes on Hope Devotional

Blessed

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 (NIV)

Fun fact: the word “blessed” is used 356 times in the Bible. The definition of  “blessed” has taken on a different meaning over the last few decades. From T-shirts, mugs, posters, and hashtags, it offers a sense of happiness, well-being, and experiencing good things.

When looking at the word “blessed” in Scripture and comparing it to what our culture considers to be “blessed,” there are some stark contrasts.

This verse in Matthew 5:2, Jesus offers a completely different look at what blessed means.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” Talk about two concepts that appear contradictory. Blessed and poor?

In my bible commentary, the word “poor” is described as:

 “A person who is spiritually and emotionally in need of God’s help.”

This is the one Jesus calls “Blessed.”  Not the one who has it all together, or who doesn’t have any problems. Not the one who has a full bank account and is free from illness. Quite the opposite, it’s not what the world would consider “blessed.”

God’s kingdom is upside down. The first shall be last. Giving is better than receiving. Jesus spoke directly to the core of people’s hearts.  The Sermon on the Mount was a tutorial on living out kingdom principles that went against the culture then and now.

We are blessed when we need God’s help for everything, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Dependence and reliance on God are given high regard in God’s kingdom. We are called “blessed” when we are in a posture of complete trust and radical recognition of our need for God’s help. Jesus reminds us “theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” as we live in between what is and what is to come. Let us be blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the Word that declares the truth; we are blessed when we rely and depend on You. Give us the strength to stay steady in the present kingdom as we wait for our kingdom to come.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.