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Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew
5:3)
For the person who follows Jesus, this is the place to start. It was
Jesus' first sentence from his Sermon on the Mount, and therefore enjoys
a place of prominence in our thinking. The Christian must never start at
"ground zero," but rather below ground. It's about humility. D.A. Carson
said, "To be poor in spirit is not to lack courage but to acknowledge
spiritual bankruptcy. It confesses one’s unworthiness before God and
utter dependence on him."
By being poor in spirit, we follow the example of Jesus who said:
“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only
what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son
also does.” (John 5:19)
“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is
just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” (John 5:30)
“So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will
know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own
but speak just what the Father has taught me.” (John 8:28)
It was also Jesus who said “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a
man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me
you can do nothing,” (John 15:5) pointing out the necessity of being
poor in spirit for the Christian who wishes to be effective. By being
poor in spirit, Christians accesses a greater power, wisdom, and love
than they are able to muster on their own.
By fantastic mercy,
Mike
eDevotions written by Mike Sares. © 2005. |
