Jesus gave the Beatitudes to show us that it is impossible to keep the letter of the Law of Moses, and that it is possible to keep the “Spirit” of the Law.
The Pharisees boasted about keeping the letter of the Law, yet Jesus was quick to point out their hypocrisy because they failed to have the Law in their hearts. God desires heart worshipers, not judges who are busy pointing out how others are not as righteous as themselves.
Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” What did He mean?
God doesn’t want us to be impoverished in our souls, and He is not speaking of living in poverty in this life. Jesus admonishes us to seek His Kingdom first with its “spiritual” riches. Our treasures will be where we will find our heart.
If you substitute the word “humble” for poor, you will see what Jesus meant.
“Blessed are
Micah sums up what Jesus is teaching us with this beatitude:
“He has told you, oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Jesus is asking us to come to Him with the realization of our sin and poverty of spiritual life. He doesn’t like it when we are proud and self-sufficient with no need of God. He draws near to those whose hearts are humble and contrite with a clear knowledge of their sinfulness and need of a Savior.
God desires a honest heart without a self-righteous attitude, who simply says, “Lord, I am a sinner. Please have mercy on me.”
He is pleased when you are dependent upon Him for your daily needs and you take time to give Him thanks for working His purpose out in your life and in the lives of your loved ones.
The Pharisees missed it, even though they had the Law down to a fine science. Their heart was not contrite; but proud. Their attitude was not
It was the honest sinners, acknowledging their need of Jesus that received His blessing. They demonstrated what the Kingdom of God is really about.
Isaiah was a mighty Prophet of God, yet after receiving a vision of God’s throne and Glory, he was left with nothing but humility and acknowledgment of how sinful he really was; even though he was a Prophet!
“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5)
The next time we begin to think highly of ourselves, let us remember how God sees us without the Blood of Jesus Christ covering our sins. All that we are is nothing but a reflection of His blessings and mercy upon us. The Kingdom of God can manifest in your life right here on earth, with the right attitude. Then when you are called to be with the Lord, and see Him face to face, you will feel right at home with the “poor in spirit.”
“We are mirrors whose brightness is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us.” C. S. Lewis (The Sun being the Son of God)