Happiness

The Sermon on the Mount

The following declarations are the beginning of a sermon from the greatest preacher and teacher who has ever lived. His name was, and is, Jesus, and he is my Messiah, my King, and my God. I owe everything I have to him, and I am so thankful that he desires my happiness.

Which are what these sayings at the beginning of his sermon are about — our happiness. The word Jesus uses — commonly translated as “blessed” — actually means “to be characterized by happiness, and being highly favored, as by divine grace.” And I think it’s important to use the word “happiness,” because there are far too many churchy people out there who are afraid to say that God actually wants us to be happy. Because he does. And in this most famous sermon, Jesus declares it to be so, and gets quite specific about what brings it about.

This teaching from Jesus is worth pondering as a new year is about to begin…

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the hillside, and sat down. His disciples came to him. He took a deep breath, and began his teaching:

‘Happiness on the poor in spirit! The kingdom of heaven is yours.

‘Happiness on the mourners! You’re going to be comforted.

‘Happiness on the meek! You’re going to inherit the earth.

‘Happiness on people who hunger and thirst for God’s justice! You’re going to be satisfied.

‘Happiness on the merciful! You’ll receive mercy yourselves.

‘Happiness on the pure in heart! You will see God.

‘Happiness on the peacemakers! You’ll be called God’s children.

‘Happiness on people who are persecuted because of God’s way! The kingdom of heaven belongs to you.

‘Happiness on you, when people slander you and persecute you, and say all kinds of wicked things about you falsely because of me! Celebrate and rejoice: there’s a great reward for you in heaven. That’s how they persecuted the prophets who went before you.’

Matthew 5:1-12, The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation