THE WAY TO A MEANINGFUL LIFE
HAPPINESS

Dr. Richard J. Henderson February 11, 2007

click for printable version

Jeremiah 17:5-10
Matthew 5:1-16

Introduction

We are introducing a series of sermons this morning that will run from now until Easter - with a couple of intermissions along the way. The series is about what makes a good life. What has meaning and worth? What brings us happiness?

I think that's what most serious people are looking for. Fortunately Jesus gave us some dynamic answers.

Over the next six weeks we'll look at what in life helps develop true happiness. We'll be looking at the kind of character that God blesses. I think this is terribly important stuff.

The series will be exploring the beatitudes of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. Each week we'll look at one or two of these characteristics and see what it's like for your life and mine, and why it's important to us.

I

As you know, the Beatitudes begin, "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." Each sentence begins with, "Blessed are the..." The Good News Bible translates this as "Happy are the..." What does it mean to be blessed, to be happy?

To be happy is to enjoy life. When we were kids it was to get what we wanted. You have seen the kids in the store (maybe your kids!) calling out, "Mom, can I get this?" His mother says "No, Jimmy." Twenty seconds later, "Mom, can I get this?" Finally, after hearing 412 requests, Mom's tired and the object is cheap, so she says OK. The child is happy - at least for now.

For adolescents happiness may be having a good time - being out, being together, or maybe acting crazy. It often comes from being entertained or entertaining ourselves.

For an adult happiness is finding meaning in what you do and how you live. It's about being real. Mature happiness is contentment in life, feeling that who you are and what you do matters.

The difference between childish happiness and mature happiness may be that the child is happy getting just what he wanted for Christmas. Mature happiness is giving just the right gift.

II

Jesus' beatitudes begin, "Blessed are the...." In the pagan literature of Jesus' time, the word for blessed used here meant a sense of well-being and happiness that the gods would have experienced. Basically, it's as good as it gets.

In Hebrew, blessed is often translated "Happy are the..." For example, in Psalm 32 verse 1, "Happy are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Here it is the happiness of knowing you've been forgiven.

In the New Testament, when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth and they are both pregnant, Elizabeth sees Mary and cries out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." This is rock solid happiness that doesn't change with the weather.

The root of the word "blessed" is "straight" or "in the right direction." It implies a right relationship with God and God's will.

So, to receive the blessing Jesus is talking about here is to have a sense of happiness, goodness, and contentment. But it's more than that; it also comes from being blessed. It's a healthy life that comes from doing God's will and living the way Jesus taught us.

III

In these Beatitudes Jesus talks about real happiness. He deals with what it means to have a solid contentment that supports your life. How can we have a sense of meaning that runs through all our days - the good days and the bad ones - so that even in rough times, through a terrible month or awful year, we can still have a profound sense of having been blessed?

I had the privilege a few years back to have an in-depth conversation with a friend in the last days of his life. He was fairly young - only in his 60's - and he would live just a few days more.

As we talked about his life he said, "I've had a good life. I can look back on my life without regret. Oh, I've made my share of mistakes, but I know what it means to be forgiven, and I trust God." Here was a man at the end of his days who, even after all he had been through, knew he'd been blessed. He was able to die with a sense of contentment and meaning.

That might be the most important thing in life.

IV

Jesus is talking here about what makes for a successful life. A warning though: it's not what you'd expect. Get ready for a rocky ride! This is not the success you've seen on the Donald Trump infomercials. It's not Joel Osteen's definition of achievement. Jesus' words turn our understanding of success downside up. We think of a successful life as being wealthy, entertained, well-fed, and proud. Jesus says, "Happy are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst, and the meek." Most of what we think we should get away from Jesus calls blessings. Jesus brings us God's world and - surprise! - it's different from the world in which we live. It is an exciting new world.

Conclusion

What makes for a successful life? In my experience, one way to answer that is from its end. What's the funeral like? Maybe it's an occupational hazard - I do a lot of funerals for friends and strangers - but you can tell a lot about a person's life from their funeral.

In my experience, the most successful lives don't necessarily have the most elaborate funerals. Often it's a small funeral home packed with friends who were touched by what that the person did.

Whether the person lived a good life has nothing to do with whether the casket is gold or plain wood, but by the people who come. They'll talk about values, about the person being there for them, about caring and dedication. Sometimes you hear the phrase, "the salt of the earth."

Have you noticed that amazingly little is said at funerals about the jobs people held, the car they drove, the size of their house or boat? When we get down to life's bottom line, the things we spent so much time and energy on aren't even mentioned.

But always there is talk about family, friends, caring, giving, and helping. Sometimes it helps to look at life backwards - from the end forward.

Between now and Easter we will look at the character and the characteristics that Jesus says make up a successful life.

Amen

© Richard J. Henderson 2007