"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”
The righteousness of God is far beyond our capabilities. We are sinful people and even when we give our hearts to Christ, we struggle with sin, but there is hope for those who are struggling. Jesus said there will be blessing and His happiness to the poor in spirit, to those who mourn, and to those how hunger and thirst after righteousness.
We cannot begin our walk with God unless we realize that we are spiritually depraved. We do not have anything really to offer God. We cannot live by God's standards until we are converted, meaning that we turn from our evil ways and let the Holy Spirit take over. It is yielding to God's call on our life. Salvation is through new birth given to us by God. Will you receive it?
The essential theme of this Bible and this sermon is God calling out a people for Himself. True contentment come from God our creator. It isn’t by following the law but begins with humility and trust.
What the sermon does is bring us back to the preacher, to Jesus Christ, who not only shows us our need, but offers us the way to meet that need. The sermon shows us the necessity of the new birth, which is the only way to happiness.
Jesus came not to bring a new law, but to bring a new covenant or agreement by which we might have our hearts changed from sinner to saint, from the desire for worldly things to heavenly things. The re-emphasis is on conversion - from making self the boss to making the Savior our King and Lord.
So where is happiness? What assures us of future riches and blessings that we crave? Jesus said unless you can come to me needy, broken, and aware of your sin and poverty, you cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven.
The beatitudes are like steppingstones that build upon one another. The prerequisite for blessing is realizing our spiritual need. We are lost and without God when God is outside of our lives. We have nothing good in ourselves - we are needy.
One commentary mentioned the word for “poor” in the Greek means “complete abject poverty”. The one who is poor has no earthly resources and must put his whole trust on God. The word does not mean all the poor people are blessed. Luke 6 record seems to say that, but we understand the context better with Matthew’s record. He speaks of those who are poor in spirit. We are to strip ourselves of pride and self-righteousness, selfishness, and sin.
Jesus compares the prayers of the Pharisee to the prayer of the publican. One prays with thoughts on how good he is and the other with the realization that he needs mercy for he has sinned against God. When we all compare ourselves to God we are destitute spiritually, completely lacking. All our righteousness is as filthy rags.
Application: Jesus calls people to change. He calls people to conversion. He does more than that. He makes it happen to any who will give up self and receive Him.
Lord, I surrender all to You, receive and recognize that without You I can do nothing. In my life Lord, be magnified.
