Note before sharing the devotional: although I’m aware that
this next set of devotionals is from Scripture that a lot of people are already
familiar with, the timing of these arriving in my Bible app couldn’t have been
more on-point, from a God-challenging-me perspective. The key to understanding
the passage commonly known as the Beatitudes, as well as Jesus’ Sermon on Mount
(or Plain, in Luke’s account) on the whole, is realizing that you
have to apply this to yourself. I have to apply this to myself.
All of a sudden, the tone and meaning of this passage sounds completely
different. At least it did once I began to connect the dots.
We are not promised a happy life, a safe life, or a wealthy
life (at least in terms of earthly currency). In fact, Jesus promises that
there will be suffering, with the point being that eternal glory is indeed
worth this suffering. I’ve suffered a lot in this life, and yet, because of
where my heart still is, I’m pretty sure I haven’t suffered enough. Suffering
purifies us. It makes us realize how truly reliant we are and must be on Jesus
to do everything for us. It puts us on our knees, and it keeps us on our knees.
Earth, in all its glory, and despite all its glory, is not our home. Anyone who
wants to be saved must realize this.
I will confess I still resist this. I still struggle with
anger regarding a good chunk of my past suffering for which to date there still
appears to not be resolution let alone closure. I still struggle with my desire
for the American Dream or at least some version of it. I still struggle with
other earthly wants. But the Bible makes it clear: the lust of the flesh, the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are all sins. Not only so, but they prevent
us from allowing God to have His way in our lives, or for His will to be done
in our lives. The reality is this: whether you are saved by way of having
received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, or whether you haven’t, either
way when you die you can’t take anything from earth with you. Everything is
loss compared with knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and as Lord, whether or not
you choose this route. So you might as well agree with that Jesus is who the
Bible says He is, agree with the Bible that things it calls sins are indeed sins,
agree to repent of your sins (and then do so), and agree to receive and
subsequently submit to and follow Jesus Christ as the King and Master of your
life, completely.
With that all said, I now share with you the verses commonly known as the Beatitudes.
Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings—commonly known as the beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 ESV
To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can’t pay their bills, can’t break free from the cycle of poverty, or can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter.
So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?
Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it’s humility, not pride or self-reliance, that’s a common characteristic in the kingdom of heaven.
Those who are poor in spirit know that they can’t, but they trust that God can.
If we’re honest, most of us would prefer to be rich, comfortable, and self-dependent. We would rather lack nothing. But even if we happen to be financially stable or wealthy, we cannot save our own souls.
We were created to need God.
So if you’re feeling weak, weary, or worn out, it’s okay. If you feel like you have nothing to offer, Jesus actually says that you are blessed.
When you have a need, He can meet it. When you’re not enough, He already is. And when you feel poor in spirit, you are in the perfect position to be saved and filled by God.
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.3.ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.3.ESV
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