Editorial - Makarios

One of the darkest moments in my life was when I got very sick about a year ago. Upon hearing the doctor’s prognosis on my future health condition, as a result of the illness, my world turned upside down. I felt like standing at the entrance of a dark and long tunnel, where there was not even a single spot of light. I could not see the end of the tunnel. Total darkness. Under this circumstance, did I feel happy? Absolutely not! I was not happy. I was distressed and sorrowful, but at the same time I was feeling MAKARIOS, blessed because I have Jesus who is the Great Physician, the only One who can heal me and restore my health.

The word MAKARIOS is a Greek word used often in the Bible and means blessed. It is mentioned as a result of living right. This means that if we live right, we are blessed, and being blessed means that we receive all good things abundantly, including good health. The word “MAKARIOS” appears at least 50 times in the Bible. This word was translated 44 times as blessed, five times as happy and one time as happier. Thus, the true meaning of the word “MAKARIOS” is ‘supremely blessed’ so that even though we may have health challenges, or other problems in life, we are MAKARIOS – supremely blessed because we have Jesus.

Worldly speaking, only the rich and the powerful people are considered as ‘blessed’. However, it is interesting to read Matthew’s reflection of Jesus’ thoughts of MAKARIOS in His sermon entitled, “The Beatitudes.” In it, Jesus reversed the worldly notion of being blessed and pronounced that rather the poor, the lowly and the powerless are those who are blessed.

Ellen White also viewed MAKARIOS in a different perspective. She focused more on stewardship. In her book, Acts of the Apostles, p. 342, she refers to what Paul, the apostle wrote "... remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." "He which soweth sparingly," he wrote to the Corinthians, "shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." So, it is more MAKARIOS, more blessed, even more joyful to give than to receive.

The bottom line is, regardless of our situation or circumstances – be it sickness, joblessness, the loss of loved ones, if Jesus is present in our lives, we will always be MAKARIOS, truly blessed and be happy.

Hiskia Missah
Editor