BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

No one wants to be poor. To be physically poor is to lack the personal resources to sustain your own life. No one wants that kind of poverty. But there is a kind of poverty that Jesus said, has blessing attached:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
– Matthew 5:2

The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who have grasped their spiritual poverty and have wholly trusted in Jesus to sustain their life. This happens first in conversion when we realise our utter wretchedness before God, and we come empty-handed to Jesus, trusting the riches of his grace.

But it also becomes the pattern of the daily walk with Him. Having come to Jesus spiritually poor, we don’t then revert to leaning on ourselves in pride to grow as a Christian. Rather we continually draw upon the spiritual riches we have in Christ that we might grow in his grace.

The power of his rich grace is at work in you as you become increasingly aware of the magnitude of God’s holiness and at the same time, the depth of your remaining sinful nature (Think Isaiah 6:1-6). But rather than run to ‘pay-back’ schemes or self-pity, you instead cling to the riches of the Cross of Christ all the more.

While growth is not always linear, as you increasingly appreciate just how much YOU need Jesus (not just how much other people need him), you will find yourself growing in humility, mercy, forgiveness and love.

On the other hand, what damage is done holding on to teeth-grinding pride – the heart that believes all the riches are found in the work of his/her hands. It was this that even led decent-looking men on the outside, to commit the stoning of Stephen.

Question for Reflection
Do you tend to focus on all the ways other people fall short? Spend some time reflecting on how much you still need the grace of Jesus in your life.

Lord, help us to never lose touch with our own spiritual poverty, and so build our lives and the church on the riches we have in Jesus alone.