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Luke 6:20-22 Looking at his disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 What happiness it is when others hate you and exclude you and insult you and smear your name because you are mine!”
 
IN Matthew 5:3-11 you can read more of this same “blessed” teaching, known as the Beatitudes. “Beatitude” means “blessing”. Some translations use “happy” for “blessed”.
    How does God define his blessing? The fundamental essence of blessing is written in Numbers 6:23-27 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” 27 So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’”  Notice that the blessing – the true happiness – will be fulfilled when the LORD’s face is upon his people. The essence of kingdom happiness is to be in a personal face-to-face relationship with God.
    This blessing instructs the priests to teach Israel to keep God’s name foremost on their minds. Mindful of God’s name, they would remember and know he is holy, Almighty Creator, the great Deliverer, Lawgiver and Provider. He is  the LORD, who instructed the tabernacle’s construction, so he could meet with them face-to-face in the desert.
    To meet with one face-to-face is the most intimate way to talk with that person, isn’t it? We even see this truth in the terms “Facebook” and  “Facetime” in our modern communications. These technologies are designed to erase the distance between friends as we see each other’s faces. Sadly, these things have become a substitute for true personal connection. To look into another’s eyes is the best way to be truly personal with them.
    When you believe in Jesus’ love, forgiveness and salvation, you know you can meet him face-to-face, don’t you? The very personal God created mankind to be with him in a true happiness that surpasses all hardships and disappointments.
    The beatitudes are God’s desire for his creation. Submitting to God’s kingdom way is the way you will discover a true, contented happiness face-to-face with the risen Lord.
    We’ll examine next what these particular blessings mean. They seem opposite of our thinking, don’t they?
   
Prayer: I pray, Father, that I am happy in Jesus. Amen.