The Bless-ed Don't Always Look Blessed

Matthew 5:1-12
Tim Nay

Part of Matthew: Everyone Willing to Go

September 24, 2026

The bless-ed don’t always look blessed.

“I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and 
deaf for a few days during their early adult life. Darkness would make them more 
appreciative of sight; silence would teach them the joys of sound.” -Helen Keller

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:3

Two Greek words for poor: 
penes - those living with just enough for each day (2 Cor 9:9) 
ptochos - those not making it; those who have to scrap and beg for their daily 
sustenance. 

1. Blessed are those who are poor in spirit - those spiritually bankrupt without God.

“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he 
saw a poor [ptochos] widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this 
poor [ptochos] widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their 
abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” —Luke 21:1-4 
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” —Matthew 5:4

“Most of the time we operate on the mistaken belief that life revolves around us…mourning 
brings about the acute awareness of powerlessness—the essential ingredient in spiritual 
growth.” (p. 42, Skip Moen, The Lucky Life: The Backward Beatitudes) 

2. Bless-ed are those who mourn - understanding life is fragile and uncontrollable.

“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is 
most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” —Matthew 5:4 (The Message)

The bless-ed don’t always look blessed.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” —Matthew 5:5

3.Bless-ed are the meek - those recognizing affliction as God’s hand on their life.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall 
be satisfied.” —Matthew 5:6

4.Bless-ed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - those who experience 
a lack of righteousness only to be filled by God’s righteousness.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” —Matthew 5:7

5.Bless-ed are the merciful - those who give up the right to justice.

TAKEAWAY: God’s goodness is greater than our circumstances.

“But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to 
grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will 
prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.” —Isaiah 53:10 (NASB - 95)