Disciples Learn Paths of Blessedness
Disciples rejoice that being ‘poor in spirit’ does not exclude one from a place in the kingdom of God.
This week begins a series within a series: The beatitudes. They are a well-known section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, starting with "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".
God’s desire is that any and all people experience the kingdom of heaven, not just some ‘spiritually elite’ class – as if there were the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’. Spiritually poor folk are as welcome as any others, evidenced by the healings and other miracles performed for the common folk in the chapter directly preceding Jesus’ sermon. In fact, Jesus blessed the poor by starting His ministry among them. That is key to understanding this teaching.
Matthew 4 is where Jesus begins His public ministry, sharing His message, “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (4:17). That leads to this. Right away we see that the kingdom is not just near us, but is available to us – all of us, any of us. Blessed we are, even if we are ‘poor in spirit’. The kingdom is ours too! This is not to say that the ‘spiritually rich’ are not also able to receive the kingdom. Surely God wants them too, right!? Rather Jesus is correcting a societal misperception that spiritually elite people are somehow more blessed – or more superior – in the eyes of God.
Prayer For the Week
Father God, I don’t know that any of us have adequate insight to fully assess the spiritual condition of ourselves and others, except to know that we are all sinners. I rejoice that You don't use my sinful condition to determine my place in Your kingdom. We are all sinners in need of Jesus as Savior, including Pharisees of the supposed highest rank and tax collectors of the supposed lowest rank. Regardless of my spiritual ‘ranking,’ I’m grateful that You call me Your own thanks to the spiritually powerful and completed condition that comes through faith in Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:57-64 8th letter: Heth (ח)
- You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words. - I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise. - I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes. - I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands. - Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law. - At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws. - I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts. - The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Pondering Point
The traditional sense of the letter Heth is possibility or potential, a power of choice. Where others have chosen paths of wickedness, the Psalmist seeks God.