We’ve been looking at the names of God and how his names help us understand him better. This week I want to look at the name, the ‘Blessed One’.

Before his death, Jesus is put on trial before the religious council. He is accused of blasphemy and questioned. We then read: ‘Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”’ (Mark 14:61).

Clearly, the high priest is referring to God as the ‘Blessed One’. He does it in order to avoid blaspheming God’s name himself.

But why call God the ‘Blessed One’. What does it mean ‘to be blessed’?

Firstly, the Greek word literally means ‘to speak well’. In other words, to bless someone is to honour or exalt the person.

Thus it makes sense that God is called the ‘Blessed One’. God is more than worthy of being honoured and we certainly should speak well of him.

We should cry with the elders in Revelation: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being’ (Revelation 4:11).

And with the angels: ‘Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped’ (Revelation 5:11-14).

But not only do we speak well of God, but God speaks well of us and is therefore rightly ‘The Blessed One’. We bless him. But he also blesses us and encourages us to call upon him for blessing. For example, God instructs his priests in the Old Testament with these words: ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them’ (Numbers 6:23-27).

And if God speaks well of you, many good things (blessings) always follow. Proverbs says: ‘The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it’ (Proverbs 10:22). Thus, to be blessed is often associated with being in a state of happiness.

And the supreme blessing of God is the gift of his Son and Holy Spirit. They bless us with forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God. Once you’ve received those blessings, you have found the source of true happiness.

Do you believe in the Blessed One? Do you speak well of God? Does God speak well of you because you have trusted in his Son and have forgiveness of sins? Are you happy?      Joel Radford