10-May-2024 – Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:3
This is a familiar verse and very well known as one of the “beatitudes”, Jesus spoke on the mount. This particular verse talks about the people to whom the heaven belongs to. Or in a different perspective, it talks about the quality required to inherit the kingdom of heaven.
When you read the direct translation in the Bible, we grasp to some extent but when we do some etymological study along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can understand a more deeper meaning of this verse. For this we will focus on two words. One is “blessed” and the other is “poor”.
The greek word used for blessed is “makarios”. The meaning of this is, becoming long or large when God extends His benefits. Or this word describes the enviable position of a believer because he received God’s provisions or favour, which literally extended or expanded the grace or benfits of God. When I read this definition, Immediately I rememembered Job.
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. -Job 1:3
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. -Job 1:10
Job was very rich and prosperous because God provided the grace, benefits to expand him, enrich him and make him wealthy and prosperous. This is the “blessedness” as per the actual word used in the Greek.
Now let’s see the word “poor”. The greek word used for poor is, “ptóchos”. The meaning of this is, helpless as a destitute beggar, who is on his knees. This word “ptóchos” is the extreme opposite of the “rich”. If you consider pauper and peasant, this word is more apt for a pauper. When I read this I remembered the Lazarus of the parable.
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. -Luke 16:20-21
So being poor in this context means, having desire to be filled and satisfied but not having the resources to do so, thus kneels down and begs the person who has the provision to fulfil the desire. In this condition, the poor beggar will truly find God in any person who helps him.
Now, when we understand this from the context of the whole verse, you have a desire to be filled in the spirit with the heavenly wisdom, heavenly knowledge, heavenly grace, but you don’t have them. But you know that these are abundantly available with God. So if you are taking the position of a beggar and humble yourself before the God, and ask for those heavenly things, you will be blessed. That means, your will be expanded and enlarged by the provisions of God and not only that, the kingdom of heaven is yours. That means, you will have access to anything in the heaven.
If your lack and desire is heavenly knowledge? your meekness before God enlarges your knowledge. If you lack and desire heavenly wisdom? your meekness before God enlarges your wisdom. If you lack and desire guidance in your sitations, your meekness before God enlarges your options in your situation to be successful.
So the secret to receive from the kingdom of heaven is being poor in spirit and always depend on God.
Prayer
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for teaching today about the secret of being poor in spirit. Being poor is not just lacking the resources but, having a desire and finding that the resources are with you, and honestly humbling before you. Teach me and enable to be like this Lord, this keeps the pride away from my life. A pinch of pride can destroy my whole life. Help me to practice this heavenly secret in my life. I pray in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen!
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