Friday, May 27, 2022
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:3.
Imagine being invited to the estate of a very wealthy person. You will enjoy sumptuous meals, participate in privileged activities, and enjoy the comfort of luxurious lodging. As a person of meager means, what could you possibly offer as a gift of gratitude for the generosity being shown to you? Anything you might offer would be offensive anyway, because your generous host simply wishes for you to come empty-handed and enjoy his lavish generosity.
We are invited to the estate of our King, and He requires that we come empty-handed. There must not be even the slightest pretense of having something of value to offer, because we truly have nothing. Such as it is to be poor in spirit.
One who is poor in spirit is spiritually destitute. It is fully realizing that “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” Isaiah 64:6. Ironically, we are blessed in realizing how spiritually bankrupt we truly are. The idea of “blessed” is that of congratulations: “Congratulations! When you know how spiritually bankrupt you are, you are well on your way to inheriting the coming kingdom.
The longer we are followers of Christ, the easier it is to lose sight of our spiritual bankruptcy. Because we read and study the Bible, spend time in prayer, attend and participate in church services and activities, we might dare believe we have earned special favor because of our acts of righteousness. But these must spring from gratitude for grace rather than to become badges of spiritual achievement. We continue to be spiritually destitute of our own merit.
Come empty-handed. We are invited to the journey toward the kingdom as those who are fully aware that they are spiritual beggars. Congratulations, you who are poor in spirit, for yours are the riches of the coming kingdom.
"Father, may we know how spiritually poor we are, that we might be in unending awe of the riches of Your grace."
Pastor Steve
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:3.
Imagine being invited to the estate of a very wealthy person. You will enjoy sumptuous meals, participate in privileged activities, and enjoy the comfort of luxurious lodging. As a person of meager means, what could you possibly offer as a gift of gratitude for the generosity being shown to you? Anything you might offer would be offensive anyway, because your generous host simply wishes for you to come empty-handed and enjoy his lavish generosity.
We are invited to the estate of our King, and He requires that we come empty-handed. There must not be even the slightest pretense of having something of value to offer, because we truly have nothing. Such as it is to be poor in spirit.
One who is poor in spirit is spiritually destitute. It is fully realizing that “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” Isaiah 64:6. Ironically, we are blessed in realizing how spiritually bankrupt we truly are. The idea of “blessed” is that of congratulations: “Congratulations! When you know how spiritually bankrupt you are, you are well on your way to inheriting the coming kingdom.
The longer we are followers of Christ, the easier it is to lose sight of our spiritual bankruptcy. Because we read and study the Bible, spend time in prayer, attend and participate in church services and activities, we might dare believe we have earned special favor because of our acts of righteousness. But these must spring from gratitude for grace rather than to become badges of spiritual achievement. We continue to be spiritually destitute of our own merit.
Come empty-handed. We are invited to the journey toward the kingdom as those who are fully aware that they are spiritual beggars. Congratulations, you who are poor in spirit, for yours are the riches of the coming kingdom.
"Father, may we know how spiritually poor we are, that we might be in unending awe of the riches of Your grace."
Pastor Steve