The CrossTies journey through the Beatitudes is filled with promise. As we adopt new attitudes and change our posture in relationship with God and others, we find God faithful to do as He promises.

God is love. That means He will respond to us when we reach out to Him. In each of the Beatitudes a specific promise is attached, but all of them promise that we are blessed if we adopt them.

Each of the Beatitudes begins with the same two words. When Jesus says, “Blessed are…” what does He mean?

First of all, being blessed (pronounced bless-ed) is not the same as being blessed (pronounced blest). Though they look alike, they are different. Jesus is not talking about something we get without any effort on our part, like being blessed with a beautiful day.

What Jesus offers is something that flows from actions we take with His assistance.

When Jesus says, “Blessed are…” he is referring to an inner state of happiness and calm. Much like the Hebrew word shalom, which we often translate “peace”, the Greek word makarios here describes a highly desired state of being, in which we feel whole, complete and at rest.

This sense of well-being that Jesus promises is antithetical to restlessness, agitation or anxiety. As we shall see, blessedness is the opposite of craving and lust. When we are in a state of blessedness, we are content and at peace.

It is as if we have found a place to stand where we are solid and secure. From the vantage point of blessedness, we have an eternal perspective so we are unmoved by all the world has to offer.

When we are blessed, we are at home with Jesus in our own skin. It is a good place to be.

CrossTies is a study of the Beatitudes and was developed and authored by Dr Paul Looney. Dr Looney is a teaching pastor at The Woodlands Church, Fellowship of the Woodlands.