Blessed Are The Poor in Spirit
Today’s Verse:
From Matthew 5:3 ESV
(Jesus said) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
For the next few days, we’re going to reflect upon Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Today we look at verse 3, the first beatitude.
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by commending the poor in spirit. He celebrates the plight of those who are aware of their need. He lifts up as the first beatitude spiritual poverty, the one state of mind from which to receive God’s kingdom.
In our self-made, go-getter, performance-driven world, Jesus identifies the spiritually destitute as our spiritual ancestors. The kingdom belongs to those who recognize that they cannot save themselves. The kingdom comes to those who have nothing but God.
To be “poor in spirit” is to see your own need. It’s like the tax collector in Luke 18 who comes before God with nothing to say but, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” It’s coming before the Lord with nothing to recommend you, no resumes, no bargaining chips, just empty hands.
This is where Luther got it right. For Luther, repentance comes before works. God stoops to meet us. We don’t ascend to God by climbing the ladder of sanctification and works. Luther’s theology begins with the bottom—the bottom of our bank accounts, the bottom of our resumes, the bottom of our souls.
We are poor in spirit not because of anything we do but because we have no good reason to approach God on our own. Jesus flips the world upside down by saying this, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” To those with nothing to boast about before God, Jesus says this, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Not will be. Is. The kingdom is not for the self-made, spiritually successful—it’s for the spiritually bankrupt.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord, teach me to let go of pride and pretense. Help me to see my need and trust Your mercy. Thank You for giving the kingdom to those with nothing but need. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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