“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Photo by Lindley Webster
Click here to read the introduction to this series on the Beatitudes.
The New Living Translation reads, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” The first Beatitude, the first blessing spoken by Jesus, is the realization that we are in need of a Savior. We are poor in spirit; we must humble ourselves and come to Christ. And if we do act on our realization of needing a Savior, our blessing, stated in verse 3, is the Kingdom of Heaven. We will be blessed with eternity with our Heavenly Father. This thought is not new; Isaiah shared a very similar idea proclaiming God’s words for God’s people.
Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)
The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One, says this:
“I live in the high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
How do these words from the Old and New Testament encourage you? Do you understand your need for a Savior? What emotions do you feel knowing the kingdom of heaven is yours?
We live in a world that encourages selfishness, personal independence, and haughtiness. Jesus’ directive of being poor in spirit opposes the world’s view of self-sufficiency. No need for a Savior if we are expected to do it on our own. I must say, that is exhausting! James 4:7-10 shares practical ways to humbly follow Christ in a very selfish world.
Summarize James 4:7-10 in your own words. How do these verses help you realize a need for Christ and not a need to rely on yourself?
I pray that we are poor in spirit, not only today, but always!
-Pastor Darcy Webster
Associate Pastor of Operations and Pastoral Care