Week 11/2024
A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver [Proverbs 25v11]
Over the next few weeks, I would like to share some thoughts on the Beatitudes (Blessings) which form part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5v1-11). The Beatitudes were taught by Jesus in a specific order and together paint a beautiful portrait of the life of a Christian.
It starts with what has been termed the ‘Gateway Beatitude’ – the Gateway to Heaven. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus is not talking about people we would refer to as “losers” because to be poor in spirit has nothing to do with lack of money, ambition or self-worth. It is rather a genuine recognition of our spiritual poverty before a Holy and Almighty God. In other words, the Poor in Spirit understand that everything we are and receive is unmerited and is solely because of what is known as God’s Common Grace to mankind. They attribute all their abilities and skills to the Grace of God and are always thankful in good and bad times (“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” – 1 Thessalonians 5v18). Like the apostle Paul the only time they boast is when they reflect on being part of the Kingdom of God – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Galatians 6v14.
The Christian life begins when the poor in spirit surrender their lives to Jesus and thereby become citizens of the kingdom of heaven: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10v9). Then the poor in spirit become rich in spirit like Jesus says to the believers at Smyrna: “I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich!!” (Revelation 2v9).
Amen
Graeme Greenwood