BS- 26 ‘the Blessed’
What or who are blessed? – In scripture the Greek word ‘makarios’ is used by Christ and it has the meaning of fortunate, happiness of the highest kind, or blessed. It occurs 50 times in the N.T. and most notably in Matthew 5:1-12. What is another name often used to describe these 12 verses? [The Beatitudes]
How many Blessed did Matthew talk about in the 5th chapter? Nine (9)
Matthew 5:1, When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
.meaning is ‘deep humility’
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
.they mourn over sin or sorrow that leads to repentance
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
.it is meekness; not weakness with self-control, empowered by the Holy Spirit
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
.people looking for a right relationship with the Lord
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
.those who show mercy shall receive mercy
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
.someone special; only Jesus comes to mind.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
.those who show goodness for everyone
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. .who are they that die in Revelation 14:3;
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
…… there are other Beatitudes; so let’s check what is written. Of all the 1st generation Disciples, which one of them lived the longest? John – Why did God let him live so much longer; what do you think? Ans. – God wasn’t finished with him yet; ‘not his time’.
John, the Disciple and the Apostle, wrote five on the NT books; a Gospel, 3 Epistles, and the last book in our bible. The ‘Revelation of Christ Jesus’; it is a disclosure of things to come.
John also listed a few Beatitudes; here is what they say.
Revelation 1:3. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Revelation 14:13. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” [Christians die later.]
Revelation 16:15. “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame?”
Revelation 19:9. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.”
Revelation 20:5. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Revelation 22:7. “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:14. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
*
Which GATE must the person enter? Is it the Pearly gate that St. Peter guards or is it the Eastern gate or one of the other eleven gates into Jerusalem?
Matthew 7:13-14. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
The ‘path you take’ determines the gate you will enter.
The secular world often make choices that please only themselves. Should we include the things of God when we make choices OR is it ok to do whatever we want to do without trying to please Father God?
Some other verses with blessed used
Matthew 11:6, And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”
[Matthew 10:32] [Do we confess Jesus before men; or deny Jesus?]
Luke 1:42, 42 And she [Elizabeth] cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women [Mary], and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
[John the Baptist mom talking to Mary, who was going to give birth to Jesus; the Son of God.]
Luke 6:21, 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. [Luke 6:20-26] [Hunger for righteousness]
Luke 7:23, 23 Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” [Math 11:6]
John 20:29, 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed
[Jesus talking to Doubting Thomas. We who live today believe thru Faith; Thomas was a Disciple with Jesus but doubted the resurrection at first].
Romans 4:7-8, 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered. 8 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”
[Our sin is covered by the blood of Jesus when we TRUST him as Lord. We become justified; we’re forgiven; given a clean slate.]
James 1:12, 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
[When tempted by the world’s glamour which is temporary; be steadfast in the things of God.]
1 Peter 3:14, 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
[Never deny Jesus; even if it means you may suffer; it is temporary; heaven is eternal so think on it.]
The BLESSINGS of the Christian is future; it is eternity in heaven with the Lord.
DG