Blessed Means More than Happiness

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today? If so, rejoice that you’ve made a great decision!

            In Matthew 5:12 Jesus said, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” 

            That sounds so encouraging, doesn’t it?  But, NOW listen to the previous verse in that very same passage:  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

            Wait a minute!  Aren’t we supposed to be talking about JOY?!  How do we find joy when people insult us, persecute us or falsely accuse us of evil deeds? What did Jesus mean in that verse when He said “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you…..”?

            The Life Application Study Bible gives a great explanation: “Blessed means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate state of those who are in God’s Kingdom. We are not promised laughter, pleasure or earthly prosperity.  To Jesus, blessed means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances.  To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter the cost.”

            The key is remembering that this life is only temporary. We need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and joyfully anticipate spending eternity with Him. “Rejoice and be glad….Jesus said…because great is your reward in heaven.”

Whatever comes our way today, let’s look to Jesus for the joy that only He can supply.