Blessed

 This week we begin worship with:

James 1:2-4 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James was present and heard the Beatitudes spoken by Jesus himself.  But when he heard them, he did not believe.

John 7:5

For not even his brothers believed in him. 

He was not even present at the crucification, so Jesus transferred the responsibility for the care of Mary to John (John 19:25-27).  

But James was converted sometime after the crucification and had a key role in the Jerusalem Council where the Gospel was extended to the Gentiles (Acts 15:12-21).

Then the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11) became real for him and in this verse he bursts forth with joy over the accomplished ("Blessed") nature of those future ("shall be") blessings.