Matt Redman – Blessed Be Your Name

I finally found the scripture references that describe God as “blessed” in Himself.

Then to read Matthew chapter five, I find that in Him I too am blessed. I know some of the more modern translations use the word “happiness” but I think we can say that true happiness is true blessedness – it is a gift of God’s grace. It is a happiness that does not reflect in anything found in this world. It is found in the settled, inner satisfaction and it is offered to His disciples as a gift.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons^[a] of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. – Matthew 5:3:11  ESV

Jesus had a radical attitude concerning sin. For the church to understand this and display what Jesus is talking here, it would be most visible. It would be salt and it would be light.

“Jesus’ followers are the visible community of faith; their discipleship is a visible act which separates them from the world–or it is not discipleship. And discipleship is as visible as light in the night, as a mountain in the flatland. To flee into invisibility is to deny the call. Any community of Jesus which wants to be invisible is no longer a community that follows him.” 

 “Any community of Jesus which wants to be invisible is no longer a community that follows him.” – Bonhoeffer

I know that I hear we justify our invisibility so that we do not offend our friends and neighbours. I have said it myself.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. – Matthew 5:14-15  ESV

This Sermon on the Mount challenges all my attempts to make invisible what it means to follow Jesus.