Jesus came down from the mountain with them and stood on a large area of level ground. A great company of his disciples and a huge crowd of people from all around Judea and Jerusalem and the area around Tyre and Sidon joined him there. They came to hear him and to be healed from their diseases, and those bothered by unclean spirits were healed. The whole crowd wanted to touch him, because power was going out from him and he was healing everyone. Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said: “Happy are you who are poor, because God’s kingdom is yours. Happy are you who hunger now, because you will be satisfied. Happy are you who weep now, because you will laugh. Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Human One. Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets. But how terrible for you who are rich, because you have already received your comfort. How terrible for you who have plenty now, because you will be hungry. How terrible for you who laugh now, because you will mourn and weep. How terrible for you when all speak well of you. Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets. (Luke 6:17-26, CEB)
This is the sermon on the plain from Luke, which is similar to but not actually the same as the sermon on the mount from Matthew.
The version of the scripture in the above passage is the Common English Bible. I usually like this version; however, I am not sure happy is the correct word.
The Greek word here is Μακάριοι, which means happy or blessed. And Blessed is a church word that most people do not get so we go with happy because that is easier to understand. But is one whose spirit is broken and is mourning happy?
Merriam-Webster defines Blessed in many ways, depending on the usage and form but the one that I think connects the most here is “bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune.” One does not have to be happy to be content or have good fortune. And Thayer defines it additionally, in my Accordance Bible Software, as joined to the names of God.
You are Μακάριοι when you are broken, hungry, mourning, weeping, hurting because you are joined to God.
In all things know that God is always with you.
Happiness is fleeting, but joy in the Lord is always there. Even in the darkness, and not understanding.
aSacredRebel 