Spiritual Poverty - Himalayan Heights – July 20 Readings: Matthew 5:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12  The Beatitudes

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Matthew 5:1-3

Jesus' most famous sermon took place on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. There is enough meat packed into the three brief chapters of Matthew 5-7 to sustain years of Bible Study. The passage begins with the Beatitudes, expressions of blessing. The principles here run counter to everything people instinctively believe in this world. We want to be rich but Jesus invoked blessings on the poor in Spirit - and on and on it goes.

Again, this week, read the entire passage daily, then give special focus to the highlighted passage.

When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the humble,

for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Through the Bible Readings: Nehemiah 11-13, Acts 16:25–40, Psalm 85:1–8, Proverbs18:1–3

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:     

Our world places its highest value on self, on our personal happiness and achievement. You have to love yourself, determine right and wrong for yourself, achieve whatever you desire, and be all you can be. It's all about you.

In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus delivers what are known as the Beatitudes, eight statements of blessing. The word "blessed" that begins each of the statements describes the attitude of well-being that results from standing under the favor of God. We who have trusted Christ have received his unmerited favor, based solely on his work on the cross. Our standing with God is eternal and unshakable. Blessings, however, are experienced when we obey God and fulfill the conditions that are set on them. 

There is a pattern in the eight beatitudes. Jesus promises a blessing to a group of people, but then sets a condition - the blessing is only for those who meet the condition he sets. Then, Jesus details the result of the blessing, coming to those who qualify.

 The first blessing, stated in verse 3, comes to those who are poor in Spirit. Like the other beatitudes, it stands our common human thinking on its head. People think God's kingdom is made up of good people or religious people or those who have certain talents or abilities. Jesus said the opposite. It is those who are "poor in spirit." The kingdom of heaven is comprised of those who are in spiritual poverty!

What is this poverty of spirit? A poor person is one who cannot provide for the basic needs of life – food, water, shelter, clothes. Poverty is a lack of life's essentials. Spiritual poverty, then, is the lack of spiritual essentials. We are poor in spirit because we do not have what we need to earn God's favor or a place in heaven. As a poor person needs help to provide for life's needs, we need God's help for our spiritual needs. 

We are all in spiritual poverty, the question is whether we recognize and accept it, so that we seek God's help. We must accept that we do not deserve God's blessings, that we have fallen short of God's glory, and we cannot rely on ourselves, our abilities, our merit, or our resources. We need Jesus for everything.

This is the great spiritual irony of this Beatitude. It is only by recognizing my own unworthiness that I find value.  It is only when I realize I am helpless that I receive help. It is only when I face my sin that I find forgiveness. It is only by depending on Christ that I find true freedom. 

Father, I am poor in spirit, a worthless sinner, with nothing to merit your grace. Sometimes I forget that. Help me to remember and to rely on your Son for everything. 

Think and Pray:

Do you admit and deal with your spiritual poverty, or are you relying on yourself and your abilities?