On our walks near the Rio Grande, my husband Kenn and I often greet those passing by with a “good morning.” I look at those greetings as extending a blessing in hopes these fellow walkers and runners have a good day. Some receive it with a returned, “good morning,” some with a hello or nod, and others walk by without acknowledging us.
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, the Greek word, bless, used here is eulogeo—to speak well of, thank, or a prayer of benediction. This word can also mean, praise.
In Luke 2:28, Simeon blessed God in the temple as he held the Christ child. In verse 34, he blessed Mary and Joseph. I believe when Simeon blessed God, he was thanking and praising Him for allowing Simeon to see the promised Messiah. When he blessed Mary and Joseph, he may have spoken a benediction of protection and favor over them.
Here is another verse that uses eulogeo.
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Luke 6:28, NIV
We are to offer a kind word, speak well of, and pray for those who curse and mistreat us.
There’s another meaning for the word blessed in the Bible. The Greek word, makarios, means supremely blessed, happy, fortunate, and well off. My study Bible states, “It is a grace word that expresses the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences salvation.”
Makarios is the word used in the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-11 and Luke 6:20-22. We also find it in these verses.
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out,
“Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the
word of God and obey it.”
Luke 11:27-28, NIV
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me,
you have believed; blessed are those who have
not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29, NIV
Excuse me a moment while I eulogeo my Lord. Jesus said, makarios are those who hear the Word and obey it and who have not seen and yet believe. That’s us if we’ve experience Christ’s salvation! We are supremely blessed, happy, fortunate, and well off. We find joy and satisfaction in our salvation. Praise God!
Will you join me in offering thanks and praise to God for His supreme blessings, joy, and the satisfaction He grants to those of us who have experienced His salvation?
Hayford, Jack W. New Spirit Filled Life Bible: NKJV Kingdom Equipping through the Power of the Word. Thomas Nelson, 2002.