We have now entered the season of Lent. For many Christians, Lent is taken as a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter where God miraculously redeemed mankind by resurrecting His Son from the dead. It is also a time to consider what Jesus said and did; and how we should be living in light of His Words. ✞ ♥
During this season, here on the Seeking Him Devotional blog, we have chosen to focus our devotionals on Jesus’ instructions and admonition communicated in Matthew chapter 6—the Beatitudes. Jesus said, “Blessed are…” and He went on to give instruction as to how to be “blessed.” To be ‘blessed’ is to ‘be happy, or to be envied.’ Truly for the Christian, we ARE blessed—oh, how very blessed we are! Those who observe our lives should clearly be able to tell that we ARE blessed—and that we KNOW it! ✞ ♥
Please consider Jesus’ instructions, and we pray that our words will encourage you and spur you on to be preparing your hearts for the joyous celebration of His Resurrection! ✞ ♥
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:3
This verse is one of the beatitudes which Jesus delivered as part of the so-called “Sermon on the Mount.” This sermon is recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, chapters 5-7.
The word “blessed” here also means “happy” (Greek: makarios). Each one of the Beatitudes starts with this affirmation that those who fulfill the description are blessed, or have a sense of deep joy and satisfaction (or, at least, they should). To all appearances, these people should not be happy at all—they are ‘poor in spirit’—and should, in fact, be angry and upset. But Jesus is pointing to a deeper joy that comes from being one of His people while enduring these situations (note in verse 2 that Jesus is addressing “His disciples”).
I think Jesus is drawing a parallel here between being physically poor and being spiritually poor. The physically poor have no resources at all. They don’t have a kingdom, perhaps even barely have a place to call home, and, some food on the table. Dire economic circumstances are not usually a time for joy and celebration. Likewise, spiritual poverty means that you have nothing spiritually of any worth. You have nothing to offer God that would make Him consider you worthy of His attention, or of His blessing.
But Jesus says that those who are in this spiritual condition ARE recipients of the “Kingdom of Heaven.” This is like saying that the physically poor actually own an entire realm—riches, land, and titles beyond comprehension. I think by this He intends that those who are lacking in spiritual resources actually have at their disposal all the resources of Heaven. Their spiritual cup actually overflows, and they should feel rich.
But I don’t think that’s ALL that is meant. From other places where Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven, I believe this is shorthand for the Church: a realm occupied by those who trust in Christ; one that is as yet invisible, but will one day be revealed.
I think we should also consider “poor in spirit” to be the condition that Jesus looks for in those who would come to Him. Not only are Jesus’ followers those who lack spiritual worth in themselves, but they then are completely reliant upon God for their spiritual well-being. Because we recognize our spiritual poverty, we look to Christ to fulfill our needs. We lean on Him alone to supply us with all that makes us worthy to receive the riches of the blessings of God’s Kingdom.
Those who are in Christ, and are “poor in spirit” should rejoice, therefore, that we have a Savior and Redeemer through whom we have peace with God, and by whom we are spiritually worthy to stand in the presence of God and take our place in His Kingdom.
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Blessed Father, we thank You for You speak to us in a way we cannot comprehend. You are a Faithful God. Bless us as we continue meditating on Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen!!
