Our nation just celebrated the 243rd anniversary of declaring our nation’s independence and inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” How precious this freedom is to all of us! How is a Christ-follower to think about the pursuit of happiness? After all we are to deny ourselves and take up the cross of suffering if we are to follow Jesus (Matt. 16:24).
The answer to this question is surprising. In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus urges us to pursue happiness. But it is not the shallow feeling of pleasure and contentment that results from pleasant circumstances. Nor is Jesus’ happiness ever attained by violating God’s law or mistreating others. Sin feels good at the moment, but in the end always brings suffering. Our older dictionaries define evil as “something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity.” These editors understood that violating moral law does not lead to happiness.
The happiness Jesus promises is the deep-rooted sense of well-being that results when our heart attitudes are made right. To seek first the kingdom of God is to seek the reign of Christ in our heart attitudes, making us like Him, restoring us to the image bearers of God we were designed to be. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus paints a portrait of restored humanity, beginning with eight heart attitudes. He introduces each heart attitude with the word, “Blessed,” which is also translated, “Happy.”
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.
The Greek word that is translated, “Blessed” is the word, MAKARIOS, which comes from the root “to make big.” It might correspond to the American slang, “livin large.” MAKARIOS means far more than “holy,” or “pleasing to God,” which is usually the connotation of “blessed.” Pleasing God is of course our most important goal, but MAKARIOS also means, exceedingly satisfying. The meaning of this word can best be seen by a particular use of it in the Greek world. Commentator William Barclay writes:
The Greeks always called Cyprus HE MAKARIA (the feminine form of MAKARIOS), which means, The Happy Isle, and they did so because they believed that Cyprus was so lovely, so rich, and so fertile an island that a man would never need to go beyond it’s coastline to find the perfectly happy life. It had such a climate, such flowers and fruits and trees, such minerals, such natural resources that it contained within itself all the materials for perfect happiness.
These eight attitudes, known as The Beatitudes, express Jesus’ character and what redeemed humanity looks like. As Christ-followers, we have enlisted in his cause—the overthrow of Satan, Sin, and Death and the establishment of his kingdom of righteousness. That kingdom begins with heart attitudes being made right—i.e. restored to wholeness, the way unfallen Adam was designed to live. No wonder when these attitudes reign in our hearts, we experience MAKARIOS, the feeling of being exceedingly satisfied.
So, Christ-followers do not pursue superficial or self-centered happiness. But we pursue something far richer, and more satisfying, MAKARIOS—the well-being of our soul—as sinful heart attitudes give way to Christlike attitudes reigning in our hearts.
