Blessed are the Poor in spirit

Beatitude 1 : Poor In Spirit
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The term poor in spirit seems odd, but other scripture references help to determine the true meaning that Jesus wanted us to get. First the word for poor in Greek Ptochos literally means having nothing, reduced to begging, like a beggar, totally broke. Jesus mixes the term for having nothing with spirit so that now we understand that He meant the text to convey that we need to begin our Christian journey with a broken and contrite spirit. This is born out through scripture reference. Psalms 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. King David further asks God to create within him a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within him.

Having a broken heart and a contrite spirit means simply being humble and submissive. This happens when we realize that what we have or do not have monetarily isn't going to supply our needs, but rather God is our ultimate source and resource for everything. When we look to the hills because our help comes from them then we can understand that without Him we could do nothing, but because of Him we live move and have our being. We must give everything over to Him and fall on the rock and be broken and humbled.

Isaiah 66:1-2: “Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”
Isaiah 57:15: “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.”

The opposite of poor in spirit is proud in spirit. The pride of life is one of the three roots of sin and independence from God--First Lady Woods discussed this with us at Bible Study on September 1st. (1 John 2:16)

Being humble, broken and contrite is the root of all virtues. It is the state of heart; it is how you view yourself in light of God. It is how you engage yourself with His people. It is how you handle yourself in this world. Humility is the root from which all other beatitudes grow. Without submitting to God first taking on a spirit of meekness, learning to make for peace, accepting unwarranted persecution and the other beatitudes are quite impossible to accept and practice.


The Promise: Kingdom of Heaven
The Kingdom of Heaven is a peculiar title only found in the gospel of Matthew. This term is used interchangeably with Kingdom of God in other gospels. Kingdom of Heaven is the messianic kingdom promised in old testament, to be established by Messiah. (Daniel 2:44) Matthew represents Jesus as the savior and king prophesied in old testament.
Kingdom of God (Heaven) is in twofold:
1. Already Here: Luke 17:20-21: Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you."
2. Yet to Come: Kingdom of Heaven will be fully realized and established when Christ will come as a King and Ruler over all earth. (Daniel 7: 13,14,27)


Practical Applications:
■How do you view yourself in light of this beatitude?
■How do you view others?
■Do your attitudes reflect your beliefs?

References: www.bibleseo.com and www.bible.com