Allow my imagination a bit of license. The beatitudes recorded in Matthew 5 flow off the page as sweet poetry, a unified block of wisdom, and an example of literary art. But my imagination of the scene says that Jesus may have delivered them that way, but did not then go on to his next saying. He came back to the beginning, seeing a need for clarification and discussion until the disciples were able to absorb and understand. In fact, I see the whole Sermon on the Mount unfolding that way. Jesus would talk about something, and then pause to discuss and clarify it to his listeners, responding to question and comment. Unlike a modern preacher he didn’t have to be done in 20-25 minutes. He had all day, and I think he took it.
I’ve decided to approach the Sermon on the Mount in the same way. When I began writing these gospel blogs it was my aim to finish the accounts with a final entry on Easter Sunday. I could still do that, but at the expense of depth and clarity. If you find these blogs helpful, I aim to take each section with the deliberation or speed called for, and will reference other supportive scriptures for a broader view.
Now, back to the sweet poetry, sweet like a velvet covered hammer.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Most translations read that way, from the original King James through the New International Version. But it’s a bit obscure. “Poor in spirit…” what does that mean? I like the New Living Translation best. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
“Poor,” as in abject poverty. The root means, ‘to crouch or cower.’ It doesn’t sound very attractive or noble. It is a word to describe a poverty of spirit which has beaten a person to their knees, with neither resources nor hope left. Bankrupt would be a good synonym. God blesses a person who realizes his or her total and complete spiritual bankruptcy.
That sounds harsh and defeatist until we realize the opposite…pride, which is the deadliest of attitudes. Jesus gave us an illustration of spiritual pride a little farther on in Matthew. “Someone came to Jesus with this question: ‘teacher, what good things must I do to have eternal life?’ ‘Why ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘Only God is good. But to answer your question, you can receive eternal life if you keep the commandments.’ ‘Which one?’ the man asked. And Jesus replied: ‘Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Honor your father and your mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘I’ve obeyed all these commandments,’ the young man replied. ‘What else must I do?’ Jesus told him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard this, he went sadly away because he had many possessions.”
See this young man in contemporary terms. He’s rich. Italian shoes. Tailored suit. His money is invested. His plastic is platinum. He lives like he flies…first class. He’s young. He pumps away at the gym and slam-dunks old age on the court. His belly is flat, his eyes sharp.
For one used to calling the shots, calling on this itinerant preacher must be awkward. But his question is not standard. “What good things must I do to have eternal life?” The wording of the question betrays his misunderstanding. He thinks he can get eternal life as he gets everything else…by his own effort…”What must I do?”
All your life you’ve been rewarded according to your performance. You get grades according to your study. You get advancement according to your success. You get money in response to your work. That’s why this rich young man thought heaven was just another task away. It only made sense. Jesus’ response does not draw attention to the young man’s riches, but to his poverty of spirit.
Capture the thrust of this first beatitude. You cannot work your way to heaven. Heaven is not a consequence of the right rituals or the right goose bumps. Jesus was very clear all through his ministry…it is impossible for human beings to save themselves, but God blesses those who realize their need for him. It wasn’t the money that hindered the young man, it was the self-sufficiency.
God’s delight is received upon surrender, not awarded upon conquest. Before God our cupboards are bare, our pockets empty, and our options gone. We realize that we cannot demand of him, but we can surrender to him. Those who have done so realize how sweet it is.
Your purpose in life is to know God and to follow him in all your ways…all your ways. You are designed to live in a relationship with Him, and the radical individualism and self-sufficiency of this age is a rejection of his good will for our lives. He is eager to pour you full of life and he is eager to lead you to the full satisfaction of your spirit. Then you will know what it is to be rich in spirit.
Prayer: “Great God our Father, I confess to you my complete need for you. You are the water for my thirsty soul. You are the nourishment for my starving spirit. I ask you, great Father, to fill me completely. I ask you to forgive me. I ask you to cleanse me. I ask you to lead me in this life. Come into me completely today. I ask this in Jesus’ name.”