John 13:17 (NIV) Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:17 (KJV) If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
It is my desire to come to the Scriptures, examine them and look at in reference to what the whole of what the Lord says in the Scriptures. I desire to do this because sometimes in our sin we can make Scripture out to be saying something when it really isn't saying that. Because we are sinners we can incorrectly interpret Scripture.
The translation from Greek of these two words; blessed and happy come from μακάριος
makarios
mak-ar'-ee-os
A prolonged form of the poetical μάκαρ makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy (X -ier).
When we look in the Old Testament we find verses such as Genesis 12:3(KJV) that contain the English word bless as well.
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
The translation from Hebrew of the word bless comes from the word בּרך bârak baw-rak'. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit)
The meaning of this is that the action of kneeling before God is an act of adoration to Him. Submitting to His Holiness, Glory and Honor and giving praise to Him. Now when God in turns blesses man, since man is the creation man holds no claim on Holiness thus cannot be praised so this action of blessing is a benefit to man. Something from God to benefit.
Looking at the whole of Scripture. I think to myself that in the days of the Old Testament God's servants were blessed with many riches, wisdom and things from God. Abraham was given a Son, Israel was saved many times, Daniel was given visions of end times, David was anointed king over Israel, etc.
And when I look at the New Testament, when Jesus speaks in Matt 5:3-11(NIV) I get an overwhelming conviction that being Together with the Lord is what being blessed and happy consists of.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
Acts 20:35(NIV) "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Like our heavenly father whom men of faith knelt before and praised and whom God in turn gave wonderful things; that we as followers of Christ can be like our heavenly father and give to others. Not that we hold any claim to impart such as God but Christ working in and through us by the Holy Spirit reaching out to others.
I feel that sometimes we think we need more things. That to be blessed is to have much stuff. But in my life I know that has never brought me true joy or happiness. So looking to Jesus I can see that fellowship with Him is what being blessed is. That we have the Holy Spirit working in us.
John 14:15-16 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.
Before the fall, man was together with God in the garden of Eden. After the fall man became separated from God by a great vast chasm that man can never cross on his own. The Lord, who's name is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides knew this before He created man and already had a plan formed to restore man to a right relationship with Himself. This plan was completed on the cross. His only begotten Son, Jesus, who had no sin was sentenced to death, became obedient to it and paid the penalty for our sins. The Lord rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding on the behalf those who place have faith in Him.
Thanks be to God that our relationship with Him is restored. That like in the garden of Eden, through Jesus Christ we can be blessed by being Together with the Lord. Hallelujah. Amen.
