Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. To envision what it might have been like to sit in those crowds while listening to Jesus speak. I often wonder what Jesus was thinking and feeling as He looked out at the crowd of people. What did He look like and what did His voice sound like?  Seeing and hearing my Lord and Savior in person is something I am genuinely looking forward to.

The first Beatitude is a very foundational and important one. I believe it is one God continues to spend our lives teaching, is what it truly means, not just for salvation but for walking out a life with Jesus.

The word’ blessed’ is almost always defined and described as happy. Happy in our human minds often doesn’t look like what God is saying. I really love what my Life Application Study Bible says. “Blessedness” means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s Kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. To Jesus, “Blessed” means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.”

When we look at these Beatitudes, we have to look at them beyond our flesh, we have to look at them, through the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our greatest example in all of this. My husband and I were watching Sight and Sound last night. They showed their “Jesus” performance for free this weekend. As I thought about this, the scene of Jesus in Gethsemane was compelling and has been cemented in my memory. Jesus was both fully God and fully man. The battle between his flesh and Spirit was very real. His flesh was battling against doing what God was asking him to do. Jesus had to wrestle with that and, in prayer, acknowledge that His Spirit was willing, but His flesh needed to ask Him to take the cup away if it was possible. In the end, He desired to do His Father’s will no matter what the cost.

Let’s take a look at what “poor in spirit” means.

I have mixed feelings about AI, but I am going to say, their definition of poor in spirit was my favorite. “Poor in spirit” in the context of the Bible, particularly in Matthew 5:3, means recognizing one’s own spiritual poverty and dependence on God. It’s not about being physically destitute, but rather acknowledging one’s lack of self-sufficiency and reliance on God’s grace and mercy. This understanding involves humility, recognizing one’s own imperfections and need for forgiveness. 

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:24

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The first step in being poor in Spirit is to recognize that we are sinners and are separated from God because of our sin. That is hard to admit and acknowledge. We need God. Jesus came to earth to live a perfect life and be the sacrifice necessary to bridge the gap between us and God. He gave this freely to us so that we might live eternally with Him, just like He first created us to live.

Doing this takes humility. We have to let go of our pride and the idea that we are self-sufficient and all-powerful, because the truth is, we aren’t. We like to think we are, and satan, the enemy of our souls, wants us to believe we are too.

I believe when Jesus talks about being poor in Spirit, He is not just talking about salvation, He is talking about how we live our lives.

Do we live as poor in spirit, with that consistent attitude that we need God for everything in life? We have limitations, our flesh, and weaknesses. I don’t know about you, but whenever I try to take control, take charge of a situation, or do things on my own strength, I always mess it up or fall short.

God is continually allowing me to be in situations where I am reminded that I need Him for everything.

He wants us to live in humility, with our eyes always on Him, seeking Him with our whole hearts, minds, and souls. He is so faithful. He is always there, never leaving us or forsaking us. He is always available to share wisdom with us when we ask. We have His Holy Spirit, our comforter, helper, guide, and friend.

He has given us everything we needed to live this life well.  Will we receive what He has given us? Will we abide in Him?

John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, you are the branches; He who abides in Me and I in Him, He bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

This is one of my favorite verses and a visual reminder to me. As much as I want to think I can do everything myself, I can’t. He is the one who makes plans for me, without abiding in Him and living with Him, it doesn’t work, and I can’t bear the fruit I desire to, and neither can you.

Are we brave and humble enough to admit this?

I would love to challenge us to look over these scriptures this week. Ask yourselves, am I able and willing to acknowledge that I am a sinner and I need Jesus, not just one time but every moment of life?

Am I abiding with Jesus? Am I dependent on God or myself?

If I look at my life, do I see the fruit of the Spirit showing up?

These can be challenging questions. We need to answer them honestly if we genuinely want to be free.

I am grateful Jesus loved us so much that He gave us the truth. I am eternally thankful he loved us enough to do the will of the Father, even though it cost Him so much. I didn’t plan for this post to be done today, but how timely as we celebrate Easter and all God has done through Jesus. Praise Him forever.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your one and only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. I can’t imagine the weight of that sacrifice. I pray that you will help us to examine our hearts and lives. May we live poor in spirit, acknowledging our constant and continual need for You, until we go home to be with You. Help us to continually abide in You and give us Your strength to live the lives You have called us to, no matter what the cost. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!