Happy are those!
Jesus describes
those who are happy and blessed. He turns our idea of happiness on its head!
We are prone to think
happiness is to be financially and socially secure. Jesus says the happy ones are those who are poor in spirit, (humbly
aware of their poverty outside of Him, on all levels.)
We say happiness
is not to be sad. Jesus says those who
mourn will be happy. “Even though I walk through the darkest
valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they
comfort me." Psalm 23:4 (Joy is a "Holy Spirit gift and posture" of disciples of Jesus.)
We may think it
is the powerful who are happy in their momentary and limited sphere of
influence. Jesus says it is the meek, the
humble, the merciful - those who are peacemakers who are happy.
Sometimes we
think it is the “I did it my way and got away with it people” who are happy. Jesus says it is those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness and are pure in heart, who are happy. Set apart
doesn’t mean set aside in the Master’s Kingdom.
We reckon that
we will be happy if we are socially popular, interesting and respected. Jesus says the happy ones are those who are persecuted,
reviled, insulted and have evil things said against them.
What sort of happiness
and blessedness is this that welcomes persecution, poverty and humility?
“My deepest awareness of myself is that I am
deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn or deserve it.”
No comments:
Post a Comment