BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Matthew 5:3

5:3 “Blessed are the Poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The word “blessed” means happy, or fortunate. But here it speaks of more than just surface emotion. Jesus was describing the divinely-bestowed well-being that belongs only to the faithful followers of Jesus. The world will tell you that happiness is found in things, wealth, having fun, etc. The real truth is the very opposite, The first beatitude gives Jesus’ description of the character of true faith. Poor in spirit is the opposite of being self-sufficient. This speaks of deep humility, of realizing how spiritually bankrupt we are apart from God. To be poor in spirit is to realize how utterly and hopelessly lost we are without Jesus Christ. (read Luke 18:13-14).

So, what is the reward for the humbleness of the poor in spirit? Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Notice that the truth of salvation by grace is clearly to be understood in this opening verse of the Beatitudes. (that’s some of that “digging” we spoke about yesterday.) Jesus was teaching that the kingdom is a gracious gift to those who sense their own poverty of spirit. ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF JESUS.