Understanding the Beatitudes – blessed are the poor
Understanding the Beatitudes
God wants you to be blessed. Understanding the beatitudes will help you experience the blessing God has for you. The Beatitudes are found in the first few verses of Matthew 5 and serve as the opening to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. There are 8 beatitudes which simply are decrees of blessing. Each of the beatitudes begins with the words – “Blessed are…” which in Latin is “beati sunt”, and thus how we get the word beatitudes. Each beatitude looks at different circumstances of life and how as follower of Christ we are blessed through our faith. Through these 8 Beatitudes, Jesus teaches virtues and values in life that will result in blessings and rewards.
For All Believers
Each beatitude looks at different circumstances of life and how as followers of Christ we can be blessed through our faith in all situations. Jesus uses each beatitude to teach us about the virtues and values in life that will result in blessings and rewards. The blessings in each of these beatitudes is applicable to every believer, not only for a select few.
You Can be Blessed Regardless of Your Situation
Regardless of your background, education, age, job, or circumstances, if you apply the beatitudes to your life you will experience a joyful, fulfilled life! You will be blessed. They are written in present tense. They are describing the present reality not something in the future. So, let’s take a look at each of these 8 beatitudes.
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit
“Blessed are the poor is spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This first beatitude is not talking about wealth, or the lack of it. Perhaps the best way to think of this verse is to think of its opposite. Being filled with pride is the opposite of being poor in spirit. Jesus always teaches from the perspective of the Kingdom.
Understood – Not by Natural (earthly) Wisdom
We won’t understand the true meaning of any of the beatitudes with natural wisdom or if we look at them from a rational and natural perspective. In fact, we will misunderstand them.
Understood – By Heavenly Wisdom
Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God. He surprised people with His teachings about the Kingdom of God. It looked completely different from the things of this world. God’s kingdom is upside down compared to the values of our society. The way up is down, to get you give, the greatest is the servant of all. Jesus taught with the wisdom of God — a heavenly wisdom. We need to examine these blessings from a Kingdom perspective. Many Christians never get this thus they try to fit the Gospel into their existing cultural agenda and miss what God is wanting them to experience.
You Are in the Kingdom of God
You are in the Kingdom of God and in the Kingdom those who are humble, recognize their need for Christ, and realize they cannot do things in our own strength are BLESSED!
Characteristics of Being Poor in Spirit
Here are some characteristics of someone who is poor in spirit:.
- Always lowly in their own eyes.
- They don’t exalt themselves.
- They aren’t proud.
- They denies themselves.
- Love motivates them to contribute to the others’ good.
- They never dreams about great things, but rather takes heed to the small things.
- They don’t discriminate and are servants to all.
- They live theirs life for the purpose of laying it down as a sacrifice.
Closing
Humility is not thinking that we are worthless but realizing that we cannot do those things that are most necessary and find genuine happiness in our own strength, but we realize it is only by the grace of God and His help. When we admit our own powerlessness, we discover that we are not helpless since we have the power to do the one thing necessary: turn to Christ in faith and surrender everything to him.
Poverty in spirit is really something to strive after – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” Next time we will take a look at what it “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”