What does it mean when someone says, ‘I am blessed?’ It may be an expression of gratitude for the good things in life, e.g. for a home, family, and friends. It may also be a way of boasting about what you have while pretending to be humble.
The Greek word for ‘blessed’ is makarios, which also means happy, fortunate, or privileged. Biblically speaking, to be blessed is to be the privileged recipient of God’s favor. It is to be spiritually prosperous.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus turned the world’s meaning of ‘blessed’ upside down. Being blessed isn’t about what you have or what you’ve accomplished. To be blessed is to have the character of a righteous person, a person who is right with God.
The Beatitudes
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
I found additional scripture references to makarios on an Ezra Project post:
- “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Matthew 13:16
- He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28
- Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
- “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Revelation 16:15
- “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35.
If I am to boast, may I boast only about the Lord.
Thank you, Jesus, for showing me what it means to be blessed. I hunger and thirst for your righteousness.
Innermost Being 