You're Blessed

Here is The Message version of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.


Just reading through these makes me cry. I have used this version in homeless ministry several times... today my dear Father knew I needed it. To remember I am blessed when I am at the end of my rope -- for there is less of me there!! And especially the fact that I am blessed because I am content at just who I am -- my God is good to me...

Lets check out these Beatitudes and the delivery method. Jesus, the SON OF THE ONE TRUE GOD, was drawing rockstar size crowds, everyone wanted a glimpse of the man from Galilee. They had heard of these miracles and were desperate to have one of their own. Jesus is GOD, He sees all, knows all and loves people. This crowd around Him was full of out of work men, woman desperate to find themselves in some sort of peace, children whos bodies were broken and families that had nothing, or even less. Of course there were others -- over ripe religious bigots, those that just had to be where the crowd was, liars, thieves and prostitutes. Jesus saw directly into their hearts and knew the circumstances each was standing in(their reality, their hungry bodies, their tired souls) and told them they were BLESSED! BLESSED!! BLESSED!!! Jesus lived a life without sin ... this BLESSED statement is TRUTH