Step 1: Blessed

He said…Blessed are you

The journey of following Jesus must always begin here. We don’t start with impressive sacrifices or daring feats of servitude… we begin by coming close to Him and hearing Him proclaim the truth over us that we are blessed. Deeply, truly, honestly blessed beyond all we can think or imagine. Let us hear those words again…

Matthew 5:1–11 (NIV)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. 

He said: 

      3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, 

         for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

      4 Blessed are those who mourn, 

         for they will be comforted. 

      5 Blessed are the meek, 

         for they will inherit the earth. 

      6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

         for they will be filled. 

      7 Blessed are the merciful, 

         for they will be shown mercy. 

      8 Blessed are the pure in heart, 

         for they will see God. 

      9 Blessed are the peacemakers, 

         for they will be called children of God. 

      10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, 

         for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

There is a strong temptation in the journey of following Jesus to feel the need to accomplish something or to do something, and while that will come it can’t be the foundation that we build a life of following Jesus on. We begin by coming close to Him regardless of the situation of our life. It is when we are in His Presence, when we are in His Kingdom, that we are blessed. 

Is your spiritual life broken and bankrupt? Come close. 

Are you hurting? Come close. 

Do you feel weak and insignificant, like you don’t matter? Come close. 

Are you wanting so much more of God and to be transformed into His likeness? Come close. 

Are you doing your best to be patient and kind to those who don’t deserve it? Come close. 

Does your heart burn for God? Come close. 

Are you fighting to reconcile relationships and trying to keep your family together? Come close. 

Are you tired of being accused of hatred when all you have done is to try to love? Come close. 

Blessing awaits you in the Presence of God… anytime and anywhere. You don’t have to earn it, you don’t have to do anything other than to come close to Jesus and receive. In His right hand are pleasures forevermore. In His presence is fullness of joy. 

In the following weeks of our journey of following Jesus, if you ever begin to feel like it is a burden, or you are week, or you are not good enough, or you are tired and you are not sure you can continue… return to the place of blessing. Come close to Jesus and be blessed. 

Your turn:

  • This week you are going to practice coming close and receiving.

  • Each morning when you wake up, take a moment to connect with God. Put your hand on your chest, take a deep breath in and say “Good morning, Jesus. I choose to come close and receive your blessing today.” You might have to repeat it a couple of times until it feels true. 

    • Then, just be still for a moment and try to sense His love and presence surrounding you. 

    • Stay there for a moment, and when you are ready say “Thank you, Jesus, for blessing me. I invite you to be with me today.”

  • As often as you can, take a moment to come close and receive His blessing. Put your hand on your chest and invite Him in.