Blessed Are ...
Whom ? BY GABRIELLE ELISCO
Beatitudes ? What ’ s a beatitude ? When I first had heard the word I had thought , “ Another religious word I do not understand .” Of course , I was young , but how was I to know what the beatitudes were , what they meant , or better yet , what one even was ?
To be clear , a beatitude is something of a supreme blessedness ; the “ elite ” of the blessings . Jesus gave eight beatitudes when he spoke to his disciples on the mountain . Although each addresses a different blessing , there is a commonality among the eight of them . They replicate the very character of Jesus : a servant .
The very first of the beatitudes Jesus spoke of in the Bible is , “ Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ” ( Matthew 5:3 ). If you were the richest person on earth , and could buy anything you would like , what could you buy that you could take with you into eternity ? Earrings , perhaps ? Maybe a fancy watch , fine china , or diamonds ? Nothing . Absolutely nothing do we take with us from this earth , though we store our eternal treasures in heaven , where they never tarnish nor fade . As you may be poor on earth , and merely get buy , your eternal treasures await you in heaven
Blessed are those who mourn , for they shall be comforted . Blessed are those who what ? Mourn ? Yes , you did read that right . God is our Comforter . The Bible states , “ All praise to God , the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort ” ( 2 Corinthians 1:3 ). The Lord is the source of all comfort . When in need of comfort , we are to draw close to the very root of it , God Himself . Not to bad habits , other people , sorcerers , physics , or even our own selves , but in Him and only Him will we find our true source of rest .
Blessed are the meek , for they shall inherit the earth . Often times when people hear the word ‘ meek ’, they think of weakness . Meek does not necessarily mean you cower and slink into a corner , hiding in fear . Nor does it mean you live a life of ever being afraid to voice yourself . Rather , we are called to be bold as lions