“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
Matthew 5:3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.3-4.NLT
Jesus offers help to those who realize their need for him.
Reflection
Luke adds the word “spirit” to “poor.” God blesses those who are poor in spirit and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Having walked with the Lord for many years of my life, I have come to realize that on my own, my spirit is poor and fragile. This is true for all of us. It is one of sin’s lingering impacts on our lives.
We become undone easily left to ourselves.
Jesus offers incredible provision for us when we come to terms with our own spiritual poverty and fragility and recognize our need for him: We become part of the Kingdom of Heaven (the Kingdom of God).
We belong. We are no longer alone. We are strengthened and encouraged.
The promises of God are at our disposal. The presence of the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding us.
We are forgiven for things we would rather not talk about. We experience healing.
The unconditional love of God pours over our lives.
We grow in our understanding of what it means for God to be strong in our weakness.
We are surrounded by other people following God through the body of Christ.
Most profoundly, we are in a relationship with God.
Encouragement
It is ok and healthy to acknowledge the reality of our own poverty and fragility before God.
It is a wonderful thing to realize and confess our need for Christ.
The response of God is overwhelming. We become part of the Kingdom of God, in all its fullness and beauty. All the resources of God’s kingdom are available to us.
We are made whole and complete in Christ.
In the classic song “Jesus loves me,” we can belt out with every child the phrase “we are weak, but He is strong!”
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for teaching the people, then, as you do now, this beautiful truth.
You know that we are poor, weak, and fragile on our own. You know that our spirit is easily defeated. Thank you for knowing us so well.
You invite us to realize and confess our need for you.
When this happens, everything begins to change within us. We belong to God and are free to take in all of the beauty and resources of the Kingdom of Heaven. Thank you.
We are so grateful for the provision you have given to us.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Ed McDowell