Blessed are you!

 

                           Hodgdon Sunday School

                               Made by Lydia Han

(Luke 6:20-23)


  2.16. 25 Hodgdon UMC Family Worship


<The Beatitude in the world>

Are you blessed? Do you feel blessed?

The word "blessed" comes from Old English blēdsian or blētsian, which comes from the word blōd, meaning "blood." Long ago, it may have meant "marked or set apart with blood." Later, people used it to translate the Latin word benedicere, which means "to praise or worship."

Being blessed is more than just feeling happy for a little while. It means being in a good and right relationship with God. Christians use this word because we are set apart by the sacrifices in the Old Testament and by Jesus' blood in the New Testament.

The Bible tells us many times who is truly blessed. We see it in Mark 5, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), Luke 6, and the Psalms. These blessings are called the Beatitudes—a series of teachings from Jesus about deep joy and true happiness.

Who do you think is blessed?

Here is what the world might say:

  • "Blessed are you who are rich, because you have everything you want now."
  • "Blessed are you who are full, because you never have to rely on anyone."
  • "Blessed are you who laugh now, because life should be fun and easy."
  • "Blessed are you when people praise you and admire you, because it means you are important. Be happy when the world loves you, because you fit in and are successful." (Luke 6:20-23)

These "Worldly Beatitudes" are the opposite of what Jesus teaches in Luke 6:20-23. Jesus' words turn the world’s values upside down. The world says that being rich, full, and popular means you are blessed.

Do you agree with these worldly Beatitudes? The world tells us that the rich, the smart, and the popular are the ones who are truly blessed. But what does Jesus say?

 

 <The Beatitude in the Bible>

But Jesus’ values are totally different from the world's.

  • In Matthew 5:1-11, Jesus gives eight blessings.
  • In Matthew 23:13-36, Jesus warns with seven woes.
  • In Luke 6:20-26, Jesus teaches four blessings and four woes.

 

Here are the real Beatitudes in Luke 6:

  • "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
  • "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied."
  • "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."
  • "Blessed are you when people hate you, exclude you, insult you, and say evil things about you because of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy, because your reward in heaven is great! That is how they treated the prophets before you." (Luke 6:20-23)

Both Matthew 5:3 and Luke 6:20 start with: "Blessed are you who are poor."

Matthew adds, "poor in spirit" Jesus is not talking about money or possessions. He is talking about our attitude, heart, and desire for God.

 

How much do we need God?  How much do we trust in Him?

Jesus came "to bring good news to the poor" (Isaiah 61:1). Good news comes to those who long for God and wait for Him.

Psalm 34:18 says:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

Psalm 147:3 says:
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

God wants us to be poor in spirit so that we ask for His presence, His help, and His kingdom.

 

Jesus also says in Luke 6:21:

  • "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied."
  • "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."

This does not just mean physical hunger. It also means being hungry for God’s righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

The word "now" shows that hunger and sadness will not last forever. God will take care of our needs in this world and in heaven. God will wipe away all our tears in heaven (Revelation 7:17).

Finally, Jesus says:

  • "Blessed are you when people hate you, exclude you, insult you, and say evil things about you because of your faith. Rejoice! Your reward in heaven is great!"

Missionaries and underground church members understand this. Some are persecuted, tortured, or even killed for their faith. But they keep believing and go to difficult places to share the gospel.

 

<What Are We Living For?>

  • Why do we study?
  • Why do we exercise?
  • Why do we enjoy life?
  • Why do we spend time with family and friends?

If our goal is only to be rich, full, happy, or popular, then we are not truly blessed. But if we know we need God more than anything, then Jesus calls us blessed.

Psalm 32:1-2 says: "Blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one whom the Lord does not count guilty."

This verse does not say: "Blessed is the one who never sins."

Instead, it says: "Blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven!"

This is grace!
This is good news!
This is the secret of being blessed—forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ!

 



<Blessed the pilgrimage of waters>

 

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage." (Psalm 84:5)

This Bible verse is Victor’s theme verse for 2025. Every year on his birthday, I give him a poem and a painting based on his Bible verse of the year. As I thought about his life, I couldn’t stop saying, "He is blessed!" God’s grace has been with him from the very beginning.

His grandfather was like a real saint. His whole family still respects him deeply. Victor said he felt God’s holiness whenever he was near his grandfather. Before Victor even understood God’s grace, God had already started blessing him. His life was like a spring of water flowing down from the mountain of his ancestors' faith—the same place where: Abraham was tested with Isaac. David sacrificed for his sin. Solomon built the Temple.

Victor grew up learning God’s Word day and night. His childhood and youth were filled with memories of God. His life became like a stream, and he became like a tree planted by the water.

As he grew, he became like a river. Then he met another river named Joyce, and together we fulfilled God’s promise in Malachi 2:15 by raising godly children. We have gone through deep rivers and many hardships, but God has always been with us. He promised in Isaiah 43:2:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you go through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned."

When we faced our own Red Sea, God rescued us and let us walk on dry ground. Now, Victor and I live as fishermen and shepherds, casting our nets deep and saying:

"Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!" We are waiting for the great ocean of heaven.

Yesterday, Victor’s whole family gathered to visit his grandparents’ graves. His parents, his sister’s family, his uncle’s family, and his cousins were all there. They are not perfect—there is brokenness, hurt, and sorrow. But they are one in Spirit and one in faith. They all love his grandparents and try their best to follow in their footsteps. I couldn’t stop saying, "This is what it means to be blessed!"

 





<Blessed are you!>

I believe this blessed life is ours too. We are called Christians, and Jesus paid for our sins with His blood. God has shown His grace to us, generation after generation. In our Hodgdon church, we have many faithful witnesses who have passed down their faith to the next generation—our youth and Sunday school children. We have started a pilgrimage of blessing, like a spring that becomes a stream, then a river, then an ocean.

 

Today, we especially want to give thanks to Clint for making the Sunday school offering church that looks like our church building. With his skillful hands, he created something beautiful.

God’s grace has been with him, and like a flowing river, he has let that grace pour out to our Sunday school children.

Also, our Hodgdon and Houlton Sunday school children collected $175.00 for the Northern Light House teen shelter. They used the money to buy supplies, and we will deliver them this week.

Our church family has been sharing God’s love with our community through Public suppers, Lend a Hand ministry, and Many mission projects. We thank God for His blessings and for the hearts of those who serve!

 

If we are weak, if we are not rich, not smart, and not popular—it’s okay.

  • If we are poor in Spirit, we are blessed.
  • If we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we are blessed.
  • If we weep now, God will wipe away our tears.
  • If we are persecuted, we will rejoice in heaven.

Yesterday, one of my professors in M.Div. was arrested by the police in Cuba while doing mission work with his team of 18 people. We prayed so hard. The police took their visas and passports, and we had no idea what would happen. Cuba is a communist country, and they do not allow Christian mission work. But last night, we got an amazing message—his team was released by an angel! A retired chief police officer stopped by and saw them in jail. And because he had become a faithful church member in Cuba, he helped them go free. My professor has gone to Cuba three times for missions. He told me that there are many underground house churches. These believers are poor in spirit. They are desperate for God.

Every Sunday service feels like a revival meeting! Even though it is dangerous, my professor cannot stop helping them. He sees the kingdom of God in Cuba through those who are poor in Spirit.

 

Are We Blessed? Are we poor in Spirit? May God help us feel our need for Him every day.

May He give us the desire to be poor in Spirit so that we may live as truly blessed people. 

I am blessed! You are blessed! We are blessed! 

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