Unlimited: In the Kingdom, Happiness Grows Out of What We Are
Jan 21, 2025 761
Jesus saw the crowds (Matthew 5:1, NIV).
Before Jesus spoke the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12), Matthew says that Jesus saw the crowds. He sees the crowds, not as we see them, but as God alone can see them. He saw the people as sinners. He saw them as needy. He saw them as dying. He saw them as unhappy. The crowds seek happiness in what they can have. Jesus knows better.
We were made for happiness, and Jesus knows that happiness does not spring from what we have, but from what we are. This is the clue to the transformed life. People who are always trying to add to their possessions will never find joy. Happiness grows out of what we are.
Happiness springs from what we are.
The Beatitudes are not about the things we strive to have in this world, but rather the things that we are in the kingdom. In the Kingdom of God, we are defined by what we are. These are also heaven’s congratulations. The Beatitudes are Christ’s set of congratulations to the human race – the benediction of heaven.
There is nothing here to flatter pride, nothing to feed ambitious hopes.
Jesus was saying, “Happy are the poor in spirit. Happy are the merciful. Happy are the pure. Happy are the peacemakers.” Jesus tells us that we aren’t happy in what we have, but in what we are. – Des Ford (adapted)
Reflection: Take a sheet of paper and draw a line vertically down the middle. On one side write down your material assets. On the other write down who you are in Christ. Which side would you rather keep? Do your decisions in your life reflect that?
Okurut Martin
Feb 1, 2022
No one like Jesus. He z a compassionate God. Amen and Amen .
Sonto
Jan 31, 2022
Thank you so much Amen I see myself
Reign
Jan 21, 2025
Amen