Blessed are those who live as God desires

​4th Sunday after the Epiphany
1/29/23
Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Title: Blessed are those who live as God desires
The Greek word that is translated as blessed in our Gospel reading this morning, depending on the context in which it is used, can be translated as blessed, fortunate, or happy as the world defines those things. In other words, being blessed or happy or joyful comes from our attitude and the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Unfortunately, that type of happiness, joyfulness, or blessedness can change quickly.
An example of this would be something like this. Penny, our children, and I occasionally went camping in a National Forest or Park. I would try to find a quiet place with a view of the lake, away from the other campers. That, to me, was happiness. Then, occasionally someone in a motorhome would park next to us. That in itself was not too bad until they turned on their generator. My happiness turned quickly to unhappiness. You see, my happiness depended on the circumstances around us at the time.
What image pops into your mind when you think of being happy or joyful? What are some of the happiest moments in your life? For most of us, family occasions are amongst some of the happiest days of our lives. What are those things or qualities that enable you to be happy? Food? Family? Friends? Health? Clothing? Good relationships? A roof over your head? Money in the bank? Knowing that others love you? All of these? Some of these? What are the ingredients that create a recipe of happiness for you? Did you notice that our view of happiness depends on the circumstances and environment we find ourselves experiencing.
It is with this mood and theme of happiness that we approach the New Testament gospel lesson for today. The gospel lesson for today is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus says, "Blessed are the….".
Unlike the worldly concept of happienence which is fleeting, the biblical concept of being blessed or happy is something that comes from outside of us and our circumstances, for blessed or happiness, or joy, depending on how you translate the Greek word, has the meaning of being blessed in the sense of being the recipient of God's favor. Being blessed has to do with the Spirit of God living inside you. Being blessed is the assurance that God is with you and in you in all circumstances. It knows that in all circumstances, good and bad, God is in control and will take care of you. It knows that God has a plan, a purpose, and a prayer for you, even when the circumstances are unhappy. This all means that you can be blessed or happy during unhappy circumstances.
That does not sound right. You see, the problem we have is we live in an upside-down world that we consider right side up. So we often understand God's words in a way that makes sense to us, and if it doesn't, we throw up our hands and say it makes no sense.
Let's read the Beatitudes together.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
You see that Jesus' definition of what it means to be blessed doesn't depend on you and what is happening around you? The "blessed" sayings of Jesus – the Beatitudes – present us with a whole new idea of what it means to be blessed, or happy, or joyful, depending on how your Bible translates the Greek word. True blessedness involves knowing God, belonging to God's Kingdom, being a part of God's family, relying on Jesus' love for us, being certain that he will always stand by us, and holding us up when the journey is challenging. It is all about the grace of God.
True blessedness happens when God finds you in the middle of all the difficulties you have living out your Christian faith in your daily lives; when you are sad and upset; when you are despondent and depressed; when others reject you and ridicule you for your faith or for sticking up for what you believe is right; when you are trying to show mercy and love or bring about peace and are told to butt out. That is when God meets you, Strengthens and comforts you, helps you endure, and gives you the courage to move on. That is being blessed.
The Beatitudes are all about God's grace. You don't have to do something to earn this blessedness. In truth, it cannot be earned, only received as a gift from God.  A pure gift of God's grace.
That's the secret of true blessedness, happiness, or joyfulness, the kind that rises above the circumstances and gives you peace! You may be suffering a great deal from sickness; you may be persecuted for doing what you consider the right thing; you may be upset about your own sinfulness or the weakness of your faith; you may even be disappointed in those who have failed to show love toward you.
Wherever circumstances you find yourself, you are still "blessed" in the knowledge that you are one of God's precious children, that he sent his Son to die for you, and that he has given you his Holy Spirit to inspire, strengthen and encourage you when everything has been turned upside down.
St Paul knew sadness, disappointment, and even poverty, but he also knew that, as he wrote down, "I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me." That blessedness, no circumstance or person can take away from you.