Lessons from Matthew 5: Blessed is a Trait of Christian Character

Blessed is a trait of Christian character which is one of the first traits Jesus taught his followers in the Sermon on the Mount.

I saw a post on Facebook that said, “No amount of makeup can cover up an ugly personality.” Isn’t that true?!

In this series, Jesus teaches His disciples (and us) the characteristics of a Christian that God blesses (Matthew 5:1-12). It is followed by the calling of God for Christians to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16).

It is important to notice that followers of Jesus influence the world for Christ as they exhibit His character.

Blessed is a Trait of Christian Character

After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, identified as the Lamb of God, and confirmed by His heavenly Father as His beloved Son, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert. There He not only faced but overcame Satan and his temptations.

After being renewed in mind, body, and spirit Jesus set out teaching and preaching to those He had called unto Himself. He also went about healing the sick, curing those with diseases, and driving out demons. As you can imagine, Jesus was causing quite a stir and large crowds began to follow Him and His disciples.

On this occasion, when Jesus saw the large crowds coming towards them, He moved up the mountainside and sat down. His disciples moved up with Him and He began teaching them.

Now this is the first of a 4-part lesson on what is best known as “The Sermon on the Mount.”

It would have been a sermon not like what we experience today, where we go to church for an hour, counting the minutes until we go home. No, these people spent hours and days sitting there listening and being taught by Jesus with hungering hearts and yearning minds waiting to be filled.

And so Jesus began by teaching them that they will be blessed if they follow His instructions and obey His words.

What does it mean to be blessed?

To be blessed by God is more than happiness. Happiness is what the world has to offer, and the world’s happiness is temporary because you always have to go back for more. Therefore, the world’s happiness is lacking or insufficient.

But God’s happiness is considered joy, pure joy.

Joy is more than happiness. It’s really kind of unexplainable. It’s more than a feeling, though it is that too. It’s a sense of peace, a sense of calm, even in the most troubling of times. It’s a sense of being fulfilled, or content, in whatever human state you find yourself. It’s that satisfaction that only comes from and through God Himself.

That is what it means to be blessed–blessed by God!

In verse 3, Jesus stated, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The poor in spirit are those who come to God recognizing their sin, and therefore their poverty of spirit, and seek His help to live. To live as He desires them to.

This takes humility and a laying down of one’s self in order to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus says that to all who come to Him in this way, He will give entrance into the kingdom of God. This is not only now, by the giving of the Holy Spirit, but also one day when they will be there with Him in heaven for eternity.

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs will be the kingdom of heaven. Now, the world says go ahead do your own thing, be self-sufficient, self-reliant. Be your own person. But remember, the world’s ways are not God’s ways. God wants you to depend upon Him.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus offers to those who are weary and heavy laden, those who are tired of carrying the guilt of their sin and burdened down with their load of self-sufficiency and self-reliance, rest for their souls. He says His yoke is easy.

He says learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Those who accept Jesus find there is no condemnation. He Himself has covered your sins and buried your guilt at the cross. There are to be no more. You have been justified and renewed in Christ Jesus.

And we accept this by faith! Trusting in His Word and His transforming power (Proverbs 3:5)!

Have you experienced this kind of rest and peace that can only be found in Jesus?

If not, He is waiting! Revelation 3:20 says He stands at the door of your heart and knocks. If you invite Him in, through the confession of faith, He will come in and He promises you that you will never be alone again. He will never leave you nor forsake you! He will reside in you both now and for eternity!

What precious promises we have in Christ Jesus!

Do you know Him in this way? Make today the day of your salvation if you do not!

Terri Hamman

Faith & Fitness Coach