Poor in Spirit
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:1-3 NKJV)
The word usually translated as blessed also means happy. Most translators seem to have come to the same conclusion, that happiness can be fleeting, but blessedness remains. The beatitudes are keys to a core inner condition. So, the word blessed was chosen, because yes, we can be more than happy.
Poor people are dispossessed, abandoned, with a deep sense that the world has failed them. Can the wealthy be poor in spirit? Wealth deceives many into thinking that they are more important than the “little people.” Has the world provided for us or has the world in reality failed all of us?
In the sermon on the plain (Luke 6:20–49) Jesus mentions the poor, but here has a different emphasis. He did not say “poor in possessions” but “poor in spirit.” The description is independent of this material world. The blessed of God rely on God not this world’s possessions, but boldly face the truth of our abject spiritual poverty. We are blessed when heaven rules us, not material possessions.
Poor means destitute and without food, not someone who believes they are spiritually filled, in need of nothing, obnoxious, self-satisfied, shallow, judgmental, and deluded by spiritual fools-gold. Being poor in spirit is simply facing up to the facts. We are all desperately poor and in need of God’s merciful provision.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs IS the kingdom of heaven.” not will be but is. The kingdom of heaven is both the future and here now. True Christians are not spiritually arrogant, deluded, but know that they are neither filled nor satisfied, but apart from God, spiritually destitute.
Mourning
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 NKJV)
There is a time to mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:4). It’s part of repentance and living in a lost world. Mourning prepares a change of heart. Fasting is associated with mourning, humbling ourselves before God (James 4:7-10), cleansing our hands of dirty deeds and purifying our hearts of wrongful thoughts. There is no joy in sin.
What if we never learn from our mistakes? Never mourning for personal sins is a dangerous attitude. Mourning means there is hope for better decisions next time. If we don’t mourn our mistakes, we will never be comforted. So yes, blessed are those that mourn, for THEY will be comforted.
Meekness
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5 NKJV)
This is literally, “the land,” a metaphor for the kingdom. It can also be a metaphor for those more likely to succeed in life. Who is more likely to find favor in the world, the arrogant misfit or the humble team player? Humility is ignored by the proud, to their own hurt. Surely, the meek are blessed and inherit all the good things of life.
Weak people cover failures with lies. Meek people are strong enough to face the truth, that life is a mere vapor. Humble people are good company, not arrogant people. Overbearing buffoons don’t last. Gentle people are loved by all and inherit the land after spineless bullies are long forgotten.
Righteousness
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6 NKJV)
Praying “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” asks for God’s righteousness on earth. Is this impossible? The Holy Spirit patiently works with us and pricks our consciences to do right. Jesus promises that if we crave justice and what is right, we will be filled.
Righteousness is out of fashion. Our world craves to do wrong, yet there is an emptiness that can only be filled by righteousness. Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Those who do, find an incredible sense of happiness beyond words, a blessing directly from heaven.
This is far above the fleeting thrills and hilarity of this world. What is right about right? Wrong produces pleasure for a night, a headache tomorrow and grinding burdens for life. The secret is that righteousness may be difficult, but it leaves unspoiled happiness for this life and the next.
Mercy
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7 NKJV)
Our world is cruel, intolerant, indifferent, tyrannical, disdainful, accusatory, punishing, and totally lacking mercy. Who really cares about the sick or needy? Thankfully some tender-hearted souls work with sinners to guide them towards a better life. Jesus promised that if we show mercy, we too will be shown mercy.
Lack of mercy creates a police-state-like atmosphere of secrecy and distrust. Mercy creates an atmosphere of trust, a warm, affirming atmosphere. Without mercy, we tend to cover up problems and leave them unresolved. In an atmosphere of mercy, we are not afraid to admit mistakes and they can be worked on.
Pure-Heartedness
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8 NKJV)
The Pharisees were clean on the outside (Matthew 23:26). Being clean before God begins on the inside. It is not naivety but innocence, a motivation to do good without pretense, to carry no malice or dishonesty in our hearts. How can the real world survive without such blessed people?
What results from pure motives, which only come from God (Ezekiel 36:25-27)? The pure hearted will see God. Is that because they see the hand of God behind things? Do those with pure motives look for God in everything and thus see Him? Are our hearts contaminated or pure?
Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
Imagine the anarchy if nobody tried to negotiate peace. Humanity exists in a constant state of hostility. Peacemakers bring a measure of calm to a potentially escalating situation often at great personal sacrifice. Some people love a good fight. Only peacemakers are blessed to be called the children of God.
Jesus said blessed are the peace-MAKERS, not the peace-attempters. If peacemakers are blessed, are peace-breakers cursed? Nobody likes a troublemaker. Pride may prevent making peace, but necessity demands it. Living in freedom must also include freedom from strife and warfare. Peace does not just happen. It has to be made.
Persecution for Righteousness
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV)
Persecution can be mild criticism or bad enough to flee town (Matthew 20:23). A quarter of Christians suffer severe mistreatment worldwide. If we cherish what is right, loving God, we will be hated. Persecution for righteousness is an indicator telling us clearly that we are on God’s side, and for that, we are blessed.
If we do the right thing, we’ll be insulted and vilified. It’s a badge of honor. It confirms that we are on God’s side. The opposite is also true. If everyone loves us, maybe we are doing something wrong. When harassment comes because we did right, it is a blessing.
Heavenly thinking brings happiness. It’s humility, mourning, meekness, right living, mercy, clean-heartedness, making peace and harassment for doing what is right. Happiness is being more heavenly minded than earthly minded. Let’s learn to be truly happy.
