Artist Statement: The Greek word often translated as “blessed” is makarios, which means “fortunate” or “happy.” Makarios is used in the Old Testament and the New Testament to define the kind of happiness that comes from receiving favor or blessings from God. Perhaps the most well-known use of the word blessed in the Bible is found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-23). Jesus used the term blessed in the framework of the Beatitudes to describe the inner quality of a faithful servant of God. This blessedness is a spiritual state of well-being and prosperity—a deep, joy-filled contentment that cannot be shaken by poverty, grief, famine, persecution, war, or any other trial or tragedy we face in life. In human terms, the situations depicted in the Beatitudes are far from blessings, but because God is present with us through these difficult times, we are actually blessed by Him in them.
The eight-pointed cross upon which this carved wood face of Jesus is mounted, is known as the Maltese Cross, or Saint John’s Cross. This cross is unique in that it is a cross made up of four distinct V shapes pointing inward creating eight outer points. This cross was the symbol of the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem, upon whose clothes it was sewn, referencing the Pureness of the Beatitudes listed by Saint Matthew.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth
- Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted
- Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy
- Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God
- Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
