Poor in Spirit   Matthew 5:1-3

This post concerns the first of the beatitudes given by Jesus.

‘Poor in Spirit’ discusses what this beatitude means. Jesus taught the crowds the gospel. Then, He explained further, Matthew 5:3. “And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed… the poor in spirit, for theirs… the kingdom of heaven.” In summary, the foundation of pleasing Jesus requires one to mentally recognize one’s poverty before God—to have a poverty-stricken heart.

The Apostle Paul guides our thinking about ourselves, Romans 12:3. “…I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” Thus, dwelling on our mental, destitute condition shows our great dependence on God for eternal salvation.

So, our destitute mental condition involves thinking of ourselves as a person dependent on God because we have nothing to offer to direct our lives. We need instructions from God and His blessings to receive a place in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus explained about the kingdom of heaven in several ways in Matthew 13. For example, in verse 34, He said the kingdom compared favorably to a man sowing good seed in his field. Then, an enemy came and sowed weeds. When it was discovered, he said leave the seeds in the field, they will be separated and burned at harvest.

His disciples asked for a deeper understanding. Jesus explained, Matthew 13:37-39. “He answered, “The one who sows the good seed … the Son of Man. The field…the world, and the good seed … the sons of the kingdom. The weeds… the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them … the devil. The harvest…the end of the age, and the reapers… angels. Thus, the kingdom of heaven involves obedient children of God with receptive hearts.

So, what did we learn?

1.Those with hearts longing for the truth will receive a place in the kingdom of heaven.

2.The obedient children of God with the right attitude make up the kingdom of heaven.

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