The Good Life According to Jesus

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
– Matthew 5:3

We've seen the posts too many times to count.  Those Instagram pictures of someone's beautiful vacation or brand new car with the caption, "#blessed."  Inevitably, longing and desire stir within us. “Man, they’re living the good life,”  we think. Envy rears its ugly head as we compare our behind-the-scenes to their highlight reels and think, “Why doesn’t God bless me?”

In a difficult season, it's especially hard to recognize our blessings. Our brokenness, diseases, oppression, and hurt tend to camouflage God's grace. Yet, such difficulty was the lived experience of Jesus' audience during His Sermon on the Mount.

Right after Jesus’ testing in the wilderness, He calls His disciples and begins His public ministry declaring, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Then, He climbs a mountain and preaches His inaugural sermon. 

And the first thing He says to these broken, oppressed, and hurting people: “You are blessed.”

Here, the Greek word for blessed indicates an enviable position.  It refers to a state of flourishing: someone who is experiencing prosperity, joy, and contentment that come from a right relationship with God despite their circumstances.  Today, we might say the “blessed” person is #winning, or they’re living the good life. 

But how can Jesus’ words be true?  How can we be blessed when we can’t see the blessing?  How can we be flourishing when we certainly don’t feel it?  When, in many cases, it looks and feels quite the opposite?

If you’re feeling confused right now, imagine how the disciples must have felt as demoniacs, paralytics, and poverty-stricken subjects under the oppressive Roman government crowded around to hear Jesus' words.  How could they be experiencing the good life in an empire like this?

God’s Kingdom operates by different standards than the world's. In His upside-down Kingdom, the weak are strong, the last are first, and enemies must be loved. Those who give will receive, and those who lose their life will find it. The humble are exalted, and the poor are…living the good life?

Contrary to some interpretations, Jesus wasn’t suggesting that we take a vow of poverty to win God’s blessing, nor was He saying, “Relax, your sin and hardships don’t matter.” He was saying that believers are blessed despite their sins and circumstances.  But why?

Consider Jesus' entire sermon. The Beatitudes are not intended to be a checklist of achievements that we accomplish through willpower.  Each of Jesus' words reveals the character traits of those already in the Kingdom and transformed by the Holy Spirit. So, perhaps we need to reconsider our definition of "blessing." 

Regardless of the world’s narrative, we are not blessed because of our status. Our blessing lies in our total dependency on God. We have nothing to offer. Our sin and brokenness make us utterly reliant on God, and our blessing is found in trusting Him.

The poor in spirit recognize their dependency on God in all areas of life.   As believers who are ever-growing in our faith, it's common to see more sin and brokenness in our lives, not less.  It’s not that sin increases. It's only that we recognize it more easily as we grow sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts.  There can be no better position, for those who don’t recognize their need will not come to Him.  But for those who rely on and trust in Him, God Himself is our blessed reward.

So, congratulations, you who are poor in spirit.  Because you have nothing to offer, you are utterly dependent upon a faithful, good, and trustworthy God.  Congratulations, you who trust Him for your sustenance; the kingdom of heaven belongs to you.

Reflection Question

How does this perspective change your ideas on what it means to be “blessed”?

📖 Further Reflection

Matthew 5:1-12
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Luke 18:9-14

Prayer

Lord, thank You that I am blessed.  Regardless of my circumstances, I'm blessed beyond measure because You are my God in whom I trust.  You are completely loving, wise, and trustworthy. I acknowledge my neediness.  I can do nothing apart from You and I don't want to.  Forgive me for comparing my circumstances to those of others.  From now on, help me to see the blessing of my neediness through Kingdom eyes. You are my sustenance, and You are abundantly more than enough. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.