Blessed Are Who??

We’re continuing our series Walking in Wisdom—learning to see what’s true and live like it matters.
So far, we’ve discovered that all true wisdom is anchored in two things: creation and resurrection. Everything else flows from there.

Week 1: What Belongs to God?

In week one, we asked, What belongs to God? Jesus faced a trick question from the Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar. But instead of accepting their framing, He reframed the entire conversation:

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)

The coin bears Caesar’s image—but you and I bear God’s image.
That’s the foundation of wisdom: remembering that we belong to God. We don’t have to accept every worldview or argument that’s handed to us. We can live from the truth that our identity starts in God’s creative love.

Week 2: What Sets You Free?

Last week, we asked, What sets you free? Jesus said,

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Freedom isn’t escape or control—it’s a heart condition. It’s the inner freedom that comes when Christ’s truth lives inside of us. Real wisdom means learning to live free from fear and full of love.

Week 3: Blessed Are Who??

This week, we come to Jesus’ words from Matthew 5—the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. He looks out over a crowd of ordinary people and starts turning everything upside down.

He says:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:3–5)

And we’re left wondering: Really? Blessed are the poor? Blessed are those who mourn? Blessed are the meek?
That doesn’t sound right. It doesn’t feel true.

If we’re honest, we tend to think of “blessed” as a word for when life goes our way—when the car starts, the kids behave, and the paycheck clears. When life feels good, we say, “I’m blessed.”

That reminds me of a story.

A man was out front trying to start his old lawnmower. He pulled the cord again and again until finally the engine sputtered to life. He threw up his hands and said, “Thank God!” His young son, standing nearby, looked at him and asked, “Would you have thanked Him if it didn’t?”

That’s a question worth asking ourselves. Do we only thank God when things go right? Or do we believe that we’re blessed even when they don’t?

What “Blessed” Really Means

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for “blessed” is ’ashre (אַשְׁרֵי), the very first word of Psalm 1:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.” (Psalm 1:1)

It literally means “happy” or “deeply content,” but not in a surface-level sense. It points to a life aligned with God’s ways—a life walking in the right direction. It’s that settled joy that comes from knowing you’re walking with God, even when the road is hard.

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the Greek word makarios, which means “deeply favored” or “truly flourishing in the eyes of God.” It’s not about luck or comfort—it’s about God’s verdict on your life.
When Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” He’s not describing a feeling. He’s describing how God sees them: loved, favored, and held in His grace.

Blessing isn’t about what you have—it’s about whom you trust.
You can be grieving and still be blessed. You can be broke and still be blessed. You can be persecuted and still be blessed if your life is turned toward God.

“Blessed are those who live as if the resurrection is true—because it is.”
“The world says, ‘Win.’ Jesus says, ‘Love.’ The resurrection proves which voice to trust.”

The Upside-Down Kingdom

Jesus’ words reveal two competing visions of life. The world says, “Protect yourself.” Jesus says, “Give yourself away.” The world says, “Be strong, be admired, get ahead.” Jesus says, “Be meek, be merciful, seek peace.”

Each Beatitude paints a portrait of what God’s kingdom looks like when it takes root in human lives:

The poor in spirit are those who know their need for grace.

Those who mourn still have hearts tender enough to care about what’s broken.

The meek have power but hold it back for love’s sake.

The merciful forgive because they’ve been forgiven.

The pure in heart seek God without divided motives.

The peacemakers build bridges instead of walls.

The persecuted stay faithful even when it costs them dearly.

These aren’t steps to earn God’s favor. They’re signs that God’s favor is already at work. To the world, this looks like losing. But in the resurrection, we see what real winning looks like.

“Blessed are those who live as if the resurrection is true—because it is.”

When the Beatitudes Seem to Fail

If the story ended on Good Friday, the world’s wisdom would have won.
The meek one didn’t inherit the earth, he was crucified.
The merciful one didn't receive mercy.
The peacemaker was violently executed.

By every earthly measure, Jesus’ way appeared on Good Friday to be completely wrong.

Paul writes,

“The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

But Easter morning changed everything.
God raised the One who was poor, meek, merciful, and pure in heart.
The resurrection is God’s public declaration that this is what blessedness looks like.

The world said, “You can’t win by dying.”
God said, “Watch this.”

“The world says, ‘Win.’ Jesus says, ‘Love.’ The resurrection proves which voice to trust.”

Living Resurrection Wisdom

The Beatitudes aren’t a recipe for success—they’re a description of resurrection-shaped life.
We live this way not to gain God’s blessing but because we already have it in Christ.

When we forgive, serve, and show mercy, we’re trusting that God’s wisdom holds.
When we make peace instead of taking sides, we’re living resurrection wisdom.
When we use our power for love instead of leverage, we’re walking with Jesus.

To live blessed is to live as if Easter really happened—because it did.

The Blessed Life Reimagined

In the end, “blessed” doesn’t mean comfortable. It means connected—to the risen Christ and His kingdom.
To walk in wisdom is to trust the voice the resurrection vindicated.

The world says, “Hold on. Protect yourself. Win at all costs.”
Jesus says, “Love. Give. Forgive. Trust.”
And we know who to believe—because the tomb is empty.

“Blessed are those who live as if the resurrection is true—because it is.”