As Jesus looks on a crowd of broken humanity, he begins to utter to his disciples simple characteristics of the blessed life. The word used for blessed here means the highest blessedness.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (v. 3). The word for poor means the deepest and worst poverty. It doesn't mean "having little" or "insufficient amounts"; it means having absolutely nothing at all.
To those who acknowledge and embrace their deep poverty, Jesus brings good news: "the kingdom of heaven is yours". Not Heaven one day (although that's true, too) - Heaven NOW! All the resources and riches of Heaven are available to the one who acknowledges their abject poverty and desperate need. Our abysmal lack is what qualifies us for his abundance.
Do I acknowledge and embrace my poverty? Or do I still believe that somewhere, at some level, I still have what it takes?
No comments:
Post a Comment