Blessed

“Blessed are…”
Matthew 5:3-11

As I planned for our Thanksgiving supper, I thought about how so many people in the Western World and seeming, especially in the United States seem to feel entitled to things and frankly expect others to give them what they want. I was thinking about how being blessed is so much different from being entitled. I was thinking that I want to be thankful for being blessed rather than taking for granted those things that a sense of entitlement brings. Does that make sense? That’s where this week’s passage comes in – probably the shortest bit of Scripture I’ve ever started one of this with – but wait there’s more.

Jesus begins what is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount with a list of nine “Blessed are…” statements. It seems to me that counters well the entitlement mentality that the world sells and that can be so easy to buy.

“Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom heaven” (v. 3). To be poor in Spirit means to recognize that we are not able to really improve the state of our souls and so our lives without total dependence on God. Sure the world tells us we are entitled to certain thing and if we buy into that we have no choice but to become dependent on another human or our government. Depending on God, grants us entry to the abundant life that comes with the fellowship of God’s Kingdom. Remember in other places Jesus makes it pretty clear that unless the religious leaders of His day laid down their pride, the respect they felt entitled too and their dependency on their own actions – they would not enter His kingdom.

Bless are… those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted because of righteousness and those who others speak against. In God’s kingdom and under His loving care all of these things result in some that builds the person up in some way – they will be comforted, they inherit the earth – because they know their true selves in light of Christ’s love and compassion, they will be filled, they understand what real mercy is, they will see God, they are called sons and daughters of God, their reward will be great.

The world tells us we are not poor in spirit – unless of course we don’t fit into the world’s media driven mold and then we are simply outcasts. The world says stuff your sorrow – never let them see you sweat or cry. The world says only might inherit the earth and righteousness is all relative – that success, money and power will fill you up. The world says show no mercy, that pureness of heart is no virtue, unless it helps you get what you are entitled too, that war makers and haters get what they want or take it by force. You get the idea.

The world’s entitlement mentality – tears people down in my opinion, making into something less than human – lulling people into a sense of power when really the only one who has the power is the one who can give them what they think they are entitled too.

I know, this doesn’t seem very encouraging or uplifting – but it is because we all have a choice. We can choose to become part of this worldly economy based on I deserve… whatever it is or we can choose to depend on God – the creator of the Universe who will bless us for all of the things the world portrays as bad and do so even though we don’t deserve any of His blessings.

I am thankful to be blessed – I pray you’ll blessed as well.

A Prayer
Father – such a striking contrast between Your Son’s blessed are list and what we see the world offering us every day. Forgive us for those times when we choose the world over Your kingdom. Forgive us when we treat people poorly because we feel entitled to do so. Show us what the blessings look like when we choose You instead. Help us to show others there is a better way – a way filled will abundant blessing and real living. In the name of Jesus, who blesses us in amazing ways we pray – Amen.