The Beatitudes
“Blesséd are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
When people hear the word, “poor,” most think about money. Religious people who think this way have a religious, double vision. They mix the spiritual and the material. They want to take Jesus and turn His message into a social gospel (caring for the body, but not the soul). Jesus was sent to earth not to make us materially rich. He did not start a housing program for the poor. He made no attempt to change the Roman government. That little baby in Bethlehem came to save us from something quite different.
“Blesséd are the poor IN SPIRIT.” The poverty is spiritual. The poor in spirit are those who say, “I am nothing. I have nothing to lay before God but my sins.” Such people have a high standing before God, who says, “On this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.” (Is. 66:2) The contrite humble themselves and exalt God. They are saying, “You, O God, are right. I am wrong.” This is what King David said: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight — That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.” (Ps. 51:4)
What, then, makes us blesséd? We are blesséd, not because of our poverty, but because of what God has linked to this status. We are blesséd, because “theirs [ours] is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus says that ours IS the kingdom of heaven, not that it will be. The kingdom of heaven is ours now: a kingdom in which we have forgiveness, salvation, righteousness, and glory. These gifts come down from heaven and ultimately bring us to heaven. Even now the kingdom belongs to us, who sorrow over our sins and tremble with excitement over the Gospel of forgiveness. Even now we enjoy the riches of Christ, but there is more to come, so much, much more … beyond our wildest imaginations and it is ours.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
The Lutheran Hymnal 388:4