What does it REALLY mean to be blessed?

 

WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE BLESSED?

By Mary Ann Wray

 

SCRIPTURES FOR CONTEXT:

 

“Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, his disciples came to Him. And He opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “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 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. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5: 1-11

 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6: 25-33

 

Although the term "blessing" has been used and overused, somewhat twisted and redefined by man in all kinds of ways that are partially true yet unbiblical, I believe Jesus Christ shows us the true definition of Biblical blessing. In its simplest form it means to be in a state of happiness not based on outward circumstances but in state of spiritual, moral, emotional and ethical contentment because of Christ. If you are Born Again you are in Christ. As such, you are Born from Above which makes God your Father. And because God is your Heavenly Father through the New Birth, He meets all of our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus: spiritually, emotionally and physically. It is important to note that we are not "automatically" born as children of God as some erroneously teach. We MUST be Born Again, as Jesus commanded. See all of John Chapter 3 for context. As a Born Again child of God, something changes in our hearts. He writes His laws upon them and we no longer are slaves to sin but unto righteousness in Christ Jesus. In other words, our hearts desires change from pride, willfulness and doing what is right in our own eyes, to doing what is pleasing to Our Heavenly Father. We start caring about what God thinks and align ourselves to His will not ours. This my brothers and sisters is what is called "The Fear of the Lord."

 

In John 10: 10-11 Jesus said the following:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The word life here is “zoe”. It means the following:

1. the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate 2. every living soul 3. the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature 4. life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever.

The word Abundantly Jesus used is “perissos” and it means:

1. exceeding some number or measure or rank or need 2. over and above, more than is necessary, superadded 3. exceeding abundantly, supremely 4. something further, more, much more than all, more plainly 5. superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon 6. pre-eminence, superiority, advantage, more eminent, more remarkable, more excellent.

Jesus made it very clear to us within this passage of scripture here and now as well as way back then, why He left the portals of glory and came to earth in the form of a human being. He was the Word Made Flesh and dwelt amongst us. He was fully God yet fully man. He wanted us to know Him, His purpose, His power and His divinity. He wanted us to know then and now how to be able to identify with Him in His and our humanity but at the same time call us to be partakers of His Divinity. He has given us great and precious promises that through them we would be partakers of His Divine Nature! See 2 Peter 1: 3-4.

 

Jesus came to show us the Father. God is good. Our earthly fathers may have been or may not have been. Regardless, all men compared to God are evil. How we perceive our Heavenly Father can be obscured from our lack of a real father: what they were meant to do, lead us, guide us, correct us in love and provide for us. Sadly, too many earthly dads are absent or abusive. We can't let them obscure our view of Our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, "When you've seen me, you've seen the Father." How "gooder" can you get than Jesus who went about healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons, showing compassion and forgiveness to sinners and feeding the multitude? Some of us need to repent to dumbing God down to the level of evil men by thinking He stopped being or isn't good enough.

He told His disciples it was necessary for Him to return to the Father so they and we would receive the Father's Promise: The Ruach HaKodesh, the Blessed Holy Spirit who would not only continue the works of Christ on the earth, but reside within us. See Joel 2: 28-29, Luke 24: 49, Acts 1: 4-5, Acts 2: 33-39, . He no longer dwells in Temples made of stone. We are His Temple. See Acts 7: 48-50, Isaiah 66: 1, 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20)

The Lord Jesus Christ desires that each of us be made complete through Him and in Him while we sojourn on this sin cursed planet. He wants us to experience His abundant zoe life that He came to earth to demonstrate. He suffered, died and rose from the dead to give us eternal life and a life of blessedness while waiting for His return and working while it is yet day. How can we serve and worship Him fully while suffering endlessly in pain, affliction, torment or lack? God‘s definition of blessing and abundance, really has little to do with “materialism” but everything to do with being complete IN CHRIST.

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2: 9-10

Here are some Old Testament Passages and meaning that reference ‘blessing’ in the Torah…

1. Blessed = Favored by God

To be blessed means to receive God’s favor, care, and goodness in your life.
• Numbers 6:24 — “The LORD bless you and keep you…”
• Psalm 5:12 — God surrounds the righteous with favor as a shield.

It’s about God’s kindness and His active help.

🌿 2. Blessed = Approved by God

In the New Testament, “blessed” describes the condition of someone who is living in a way that God approves.

This is especially true in the Beatitudes:
• Matthew 5:3–12 — “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”
• Meaning: God approves of them; His favor rests on them.

🌿 3. Blessed = Deep, Spiritual Joy

Not mere happiness based on circumstances, but a deep, stable joy rooted in God.
• Psalm 1:1 — “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…”
• Meaning: The person who aligns with God has a life of inner stability and peace.

🌿 4. Blessed = Empowered to Flourish

In Hebrew especially, blessing means being equipped by God to succeed spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes materially.
• Genesis 1:28 — “And God blessed them…”
• Meaning: He empowered them to be fruitful and thrive.

🌿 5. Blessed = Spoken Goodness Over Someone

A blessing can be spoken and carries real weight in Scripture.
• Genesis 27 — Isaac blessing Jacob
• The spoken blessing releases favor, protection, or destiny.

🌿 Summary

Biblically, “blessed” means:
✔ Favored by God
✔ Approved by God
✔ Deeply joyful and secure
✔ Empowered to flourish
✔ Covered by God’s goodness

It’s a word that combines God’s favor, His presence, and inner spiritual well-being, regardless of circumstances.