Poor in spirit
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
This is Jesus first public message. The passage says that He sat with His disciples taught them, but it also says there were multitudes around. The first ten verses are the introduction to this sermon. They are commonly known as the Be-attitudes, but I believe Jesus was telling His disciples the entrance into the Kingdom of heaven that He had been talking about. These attitudes do not save you, but as a child of God, these are the actions that represent one who is operating in the Kingdom principles.
I am briefly writing about the nine attitudes that Jesus explains in this text. First of all, I want to talk about this word blessed. It is a word defined as happy, but it is the kind of happiness that comes from the spirit of a person, not from external things or circumstances. It can also mean success in attaining wholeness and contentment.
This helps us to understand that Jesus was teaching His disciples where true joy and satisfaction come from in life. By walking in this world according to these attitudes, you can walk out your days in peace, joy and contentment.
Jesus started this sermon with saying the person who is poor in spirit is happy, content and satisfied with life. He didn’t say those who are poor in external things and lacking in physical necessities. He was talking about having a bankrupt spirit that recognizes its need for a Savior. When you come to the place in life that you recognize that all that you are and all that you have is because of the grace of God and Savior that love you, you become determined to trust Him for every breath you take and every move you make. You understand that you have been given life to complete an assignment here in this world and God has given you all the resources you need to fulfill that mission. You no longer believe that you worked hard all your life to accomplish the things you have done. Instead, you have a deeper understanding that all that you are is because of your heavenly Father that loves you and has led you every step of the way.
The verse goes on to say when you are poor in spirit, you belong to the kingdom of Heaven and that is where your citizenship and home truly is. Even though you are in this world called Earth, you have dual citizenship because you have only been sent here to work for a few years. Your life is lived by the heart of God and His Word that instructs in the way of living successfully.
Today, I want to encourage you to be poor in spirit. Take some time to talk to your heavenly Father about what He has brought you through in your life so far. Thank Him for all He has given you and all He has led you to. Let Him know that you recognize that His hand is the reason for all you have become so far. Then spend some time talking to Him about what He will lead you to next and thank Him for always being involved in your life even the times when you didn’t realize He was looking. Take some time to meditate what it means to be a citizen of heaven right now in this world even though you are not physically there yet. Then, tell Him you trust Him to provide all you need to finish the course He has you on today.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-12
1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Daily Dose 