I am a Jesus pusher!!! The essence of the Beatitudes is the word “blessed.” It is the opening Greek word in all eight Beatitudes, and Jesus highlights it in each statement. In all eight Beatitudes the verb of being is missing. An exclamation mark could be placed at the end of the word: Blessed! Jesus exclaims the internal condition of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom may be examined from several aspects. Jesus is the King of the Kingdom. His rule marks the character of the Kingdom. But what is the atmosphere surrounding everyone in the Kingdom? More specifically, what is the attitude of those experiencing the Beatitudes? They are blessed!
Obviously this state of essence is not dependent on circumstances. If you are poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, or even persecuted for righteousness’ sake, you are still blessed! Whatever your circumstances, you are blessed in the embrace of Jesus! Circumstances do not add to or subtract from this state. They are the stage upon which the state of blessed takes place. This sounds so strange to us. The original crowds were “knocked out of their senses” at such statements. Circumstances constantly dictate to us how we feel, what we want, and how we react. How can anyone live without being sourced or controlled by the circumstances of the world? You have to be sourced and controlled by another world, the Kingdom of Heaven! Jesus is this Kingdom! I am a Jesus pusher!!!