'Poor in Spirit' Wins the Reward

~~~ 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~ Matthew 5:1-12 ~~~

 

Our hope for you is firm,
for we know that as you share in the sufferings,
you also share in the encouragement.

 

The Beatitudes are full of hope and encouragement.

The Beatitudes challenge many of our commonly held beliefs.

 

If you reflect on the Beatitudes from Matthew's gospel today;

here is what you will not find.

There is no blessing for the proud.

There is no blessing for those who belittle others.

There is no blessing for the one who stands in the spotlight

bragging of his accomplishments.

There is no blessing for the driver who cut you off in morning traffic.

There is no blessing for the husband who abuses his wife.

There is no blessing for those who harm children.

There is no blessing for the neighborhood drug dealer.

 

Instead, the Beatitudes speak of things that today

we might consider weaknesses.

The poor in spirit...mourners...the meek...

those seeking justice...the merciful...the clean of heart...

the peacemakers...and the persecuted.

 

In which of these categories can I find myself?

Honestly it can change from day to day.

I have been among those who mourn, but it is not where I would long to stay.

I have been among those seeking justice,

but has it always been for the right reasons...

I am not sure.

You can be very selfish in seeking justice for your own sake.

Being a peacemaker can be challenging at times too,

especially when those around you

do not want peace or when they do not value peace.

 

 

Certainly we all want to see the kingdom of heaven, to find comfort, to be satisfied,

to experience mercy, to see God and be called his child.

It seems that in order to get to heaven you must allow yourself

 to be poor in spirit and persecuted.

 

Taste and see how good the LORD is...

 

Perhaps the very first Beatitude is the key to all of the others that follow.

'Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven...'

 

If we are to enter into the kingdom of heaven it is crucial that we die to ourselves.

To enter the kingdom of heaven we must confess that we totally rely on God.

We must believe with all of our heart that we need God in our daily life.

 

Poor in Spirit means you empty your self; putting aside all that is self-centered.

Much easier said then lived from day to day.

It takes hope and encouragement to truly be 'poor in spirit'.

It requires one to look beyond one's own self.

 

Be one who becomes cloaked in the blessings of the Beatitudes.

Keep striving for the Kingdom of Heaven...

one day we hope to arrive at our destination.

See you on the other side!!