You Will Be Blessed/Happy

The day of The Sermon on the Mount was a huge day in the life and ministry of Jesus. The Be-Attitudes as they have been deemed, that lead off Christ's teaching, are just that - the lead off. There are two additional chapters, Matthew 6 and 7, where Jesus instructs on topics such as being salt and light to the world, Him being the fulfillment of the Law, God's view on murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, taking an eye for an eye, loving your enemies, giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, treasures in heaven, not worrying, judging others, the art of seeking God, the narrow and wide gates, true and false prophets, true and false disciples, plus the wise and foolish builders.

Jesus did not stop at His speech either. Immediately following His teaching, He came down the mount and began His healing ministry to those in need. What a day for Him and them!

However, when focusing in on the Be-Attitudes we find that those instructions are a good and strong start to what Jesus had to communicate. A change of lifestyle is what Jesus was trying to implement. Kingdom lifestyle that He represented and now taught meant in order to live the "blessed" life or as the original Greek word is translated - "happy" life - then the second half of the equation or sentence had to be carried out.

Matthew records Jesus saying,

• Blessed [or happy] are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
• Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:3-12)

Notice that "Blessed" comes first. Notice that Jesus mentions a person's state of happiness within the condition first before the action, then the reward. He could have structured the sentence with the condition first followed by the state of happiness, then the reward, like - Those who are poor in spirit are blessed for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Either way communicates the point that the blessed state or happy life will be acquired if one pursues the call to action within each Be-Attitude. However, I believe there is purpose in Jesus saying the Be-Attitudes this way. There is a stressing on our thoughts and actions as we enter a situation that we are blessed/happy or should be as we humble ourselves, comfort those who mourn, be merciful and so forth. 

This is a radical mindset on the approach to living that Jesus is teaching. The change may be difficult to make a permanent behavior at first. However, the plan of action is essential in every lifestyle statement of Jesus and the concentration or focus Jesus places in the Be-Attitudes is the knowledge You Will Be Blessed/Happy.