The True Meaning of Blessings: Reflections on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
- Pastor Jin
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
From my childhood, my family lived a life of financial abundance. My father, before becoming a pastor, worked in a high-ranking position at a company, earning four to five times more than the average person. He later started his own business, which brought even greater prosperity. We never experienced financial hardship and were often envied by others. Yet, despite our wealth, an unshakable sense of anxiety and emptiness lingered in my parents' hearts. They often wondered where these feelings came from.
There is an old proverb: “Those who have much are always worried about losing what they have.” Perhaps this was true for my parents. Despite their material success, they remained restless, burdened by worries they couldn’t fully understand. They had believed that an abundant life would bring happiness, but instead, it left them with a sense of incompleteness.
Everything changed when they were called by God to become pastors. Before beginning their ministry, the Bible verses that touched their hearts most were: “Give everything you have to the poor and follow me” and “The disciples left everything and followed Jesus.” Obedience to God’s calling is difficult, but my parents took these words literally. They left their life of abundance and comfort, facing hardship and pain. Yet, rather than feeling emptiness, they experienced a joy that could not be explained.
Redefining Blessings
Today’s Gospel passage—the Beatitudes—introduces us to a different perspective on blessings. Many people associate blessings with prosperity, success, or good fortune. We often say things like, “I was blessed because my business thrived,” or “I was blessed because I got a good job.” However, such blessings are often subjective and sometimes even come at the expense of others.
Jesus, however, presents a radically different definition of blessing: “Blessed are the poor, the mourning, the meek, those who hunger and thirst, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted.” The Bible teaches that true blessings are not gained through the sacrifice of others but come through our own sacrifice and suffering.
Many may wonder: If I am sacrificing and suffering, how can that be a blessing? The answer lies in love. Those who willingly sacrifice for others are those who are full of love. In Greek, the word for blessing can also be translated as happiness. True happiness begins with loving God and loving others and is fulfilled through self-sacrifice.
The Meaning of Happiness
What kind of life do we desire for ourselves and our children? Most parents wish for their children to be successful and prosperous. But if we ask children what they truly want, the answer is often simple: happiness.
Happiness, however, is complex. In Korean, the word for happiness (haengbok) contains a hidden meaning—it includes a character that symbolizes handcuffs, representing the coexistence of pain and joy. This suggests that happiness is not just about pleasure but also involves hardship and sacrifice. The pursuit of happiness in worldly terms often comes at the cost of another’s suffering. But the Bible teaches the opposite: true happiness comes through loving God and others, even when it involves personal sacrifice.
The Beatitudes: A Call to True Discipleship
At first glance, Jesus appears to be preaching to the crowds. However, Matthew 5:1-2 shows that He is primarily speaking to His disciples—those who already belong to the kingdom of heaven. The first and last Beatitudes share the phrase “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” emphasizing that Jesus is addressing those who choose to follow Him.
If we live as disciples, we may not receive worldly comforts. We may not inherit material wealth, be recognized for our righteousness, or see immediate rewards. Like the prophets and early disciples, we may face rejection, criticism, or even persecution. The world may see us as failures, just as it once saw Jesus’ disciples. But in the eyes of God, these are the true blessings.
Matthew intentionally draws parallels between Jesus and Moses. Just as Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, Jesus gives His disciples the Beatitudes on a mountain. Moses’ Law was meant to guide people to God, but religious leaders later misused it for their own gain. Jesus clarifies His mission: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). He fulfills the Law through perfect love, demonstrated in His sacrifice on the cross.
Choosing the Path of True Blessing
So, what kind of life do we want to live? Do we desire to be part of the kingdom of heaven, living as true disciples? Or will we remain in the crowd, following Jesus without true purpose?
If we seek a truly blessed life, we must embrace the Beatitudes—not as burdens but as the path to real joy. True peace and happiness do not come from worldly success but from living a life of love and sacrifice. Jesus is our perfect example. He bore suffering and death to bring us eternal life. If we live as His disciples, we already belong to heaven.
Let us choose to follow Him, just as the saints before us did. May our lives reflect the true blessings of God’s kingdom.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we seek a life that truly matters—not one defined by worldly success, but one rooted in Your kingdom. Help us to live as true disciples, embracing the Beatitudes not as burdens but as blessings. Fill our hearts with love for You and for others, that we may reflect the perfect example of Jesus Christ.
Teach us to walk the path of sacrifice, knowing that true joy and peace come from You alone. May our lives be a testimony of Your grace, bringing glory to You and leading others to Your everlasting love.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
